Introducing your 2019 In-Country Operatives!
Each year we recruit two In-Country Operatives (ICOs) for each of our big three overseas challenges; Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, and Everest Base Camp. This year we’re also introducing a videography role for our Morocco Trek. Each of the ICOs have trekked with us previously, and will be heading out to their respective country to support teams in their adventures - let’s meet them!
KILIMANJARO - BERKAN AND ELISHA
First up it’s our Kilimanjaro ICO’s, Berkan and Elisha. The pair will be based up in Springlands Hotel in Moshi, welcoming our Kilimanjaro teams and sending them up on their way to summit the Roof of Africa.
Elisha is currently studying Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham, and is hoping to graduate this year. She took on the Three Peaks Challenge in 2017, raising over £1,000 in the process, subsequently signing-up to Challenge Lead a team of Birmingham students up Kilimanjaro!
Berkan is a second year student at the University of Warwick - hoping to achieve a first in Systems Engineering! Berkan raised £2,500+ last year in order to summit the colossus that is Mount Kilimanjaro, and has subsequently attained the position of RAG President at Warwick RAG - smashing work Berkan!
Berkan and Elisha, having fell in love with Tanzania their first time around, are the perfect fit for the role - and they can’t wait to get started.
MACHU PICCHU - LEO AND OLIVER
Next up, it’s our lovely Machu Picchu team; Leo and Oliver! They’ll be based up in Cusco, greeting the incoming Machu Picchu trekkers, showing them around the town and helping them get acclimatised to the already 3,000m+ above sea level.
Leo has been an ICO with us previously, for the last couple of years, in fact. He knows Cusco like the back of his hand and is fluent in Spanish, making him the perfect fit for the role. Want to find out more about the culture and history of Cusco, or need some help getting around? Leo’s your man.
Oliver is a final year student at the University of Warwick, hoping to graduate with a first in Economics and Industrial Organisation. Oliver can also speak Spanish to a high-level, and led a team of 50(!) students up Mount Kilimanjaro in his second year.
EVEREST BASE CAMP - APSANA AND EVE
Shifting our sights over to Asia now, and it’s our Everest Base Camp team Apsana and Eve!
Apsana is currently a student at the University of Warwick studying Politics and International Studies. She managed to raise £3,398 for Meningitis Research Foundation in order to tackle the Kilimanjaro challenge, and now is looking to find experience a little closer to home. Having lived in Nepal and speaking fluent Nepali, she will be more than comfortable in the role.
Eve studies at the University of Birmingham and has previously tackled the Mount Kilimanjaro Trek. Being an avid trekker, she’s also taken on challenges in the Lake District and Mount Kinabalu.
MOROCCO HIGH ATLAS TREK - SCOTT
And last but not least - it’s Scott!
Scott has previously taken part in the Kilimanjaro Trek. Having absolutely loved the experience, he decided to take on the more low-key Three Peaks challenge and was able to create some cracking promotional content in the process.
Scott is a final year at the University of Portsmouth, and alongside his studies he’s currently leading a team of 20+ students to smash the Bilbao Night Marathon out in Spain later this year.
Scott will be trekking with the Morocco team, filming and capturing every detail of the process so as to create a couple of awesome videos to showcase the gorgeous Atlas Mountains!
Like the sound of becoming an ICO? Unfortunately all our places have been taken for this year’s departures. However, be sure to keep tabs on our Social Media channels for other opportunities. Alternatively, chat to the ICOs out in-country about how to get involved next year!
