When French soldier Cecile Trompette was wounded in the war in Afghanistan five years ago, she never imagined she would become a hero. 

In 2011, Cecile was based in Kabul, Afghanistan. Due to a tactical mistake, her 60 colleagues were captured and held hostage by their enemies in the desert.
During the rescue operation, Cecile’s hands broke.

“I almost lost both hands after the vehicle I was in overturned when I was deployed to rescue the frontline soldiers held hostage in Afghanistan’s desert,” she said.

After several years of excruciating pain and depression, she came out of her shell and became a voice for victims of war who were suffering in silence either from injuries or trauma.

So, together with other five women in uniform from the one of the world’s top military academies, Saint Cyr in the northwest of Paris, they climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise 10,000 euros ($11,300) for victims of war.

“After my full recovery, I’ve dedicated my life to raising funds for forgotten soldiers, victims of war who are confined to their beds,” Cecile said shortly after descending from Mt Kilimanjaro.

“We have successfully accomplished a seven-day hike to the top of Kilimanjaro,” said Eurore Fintz, an officer from Saint Cyr.

Eurore, the team leader, said she would encourage her colleagues in uniform to visit the country and appreciate its beauty and the world heritage attractions.

Though they made it to the peak, some 5,895 metres above sea level, the soldiers said the trek was difficult and praised their tour guides for their competence.

Tanzanian tour leader Victor Manyanga said his team enjoyed helping the team accomplish their mission.