Silvia Vasquez Lavado’s accomplishment at Mount Everest

One of the Country Brand ambassadors is also the first Peruvian woman who reached the highest peak in the world: Mount Everest. Silvia Vasquez Lavado is a symbol of commitment and courage. She does not only conquer mountains, but also works with young women who have been abused.

2005 was a turning point in Silvia’s life as she arrived at Mount Everest peak as part of a spiritual retreat. This achievement motivated her to start her own journey, and nothing was going to stop her. The next year she scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa; in 2007 she climbed Mount Elbrus in Russia and in 2014 her feet touched the peak of Mount Aconcagua in Argentina.

After travelling the world looking for new challenges, she still had to face her biggest one, which she was able to accomplish on May 19, 2016. In an expedition with over 150 climbers from different nations, Silvia reached the peak of Mount Everest located at 8,848 meters above sea level. At 41 years old, this amazing Peruvian proves that our dreams can come true and that it is never too late to go after them.

The climber dedicated her achievement to all Peruvian women and little girls, victims of sexual abuse or violence, who she works with at her NGO Chicas Coraje (Courageous girls). She encourages them to start on this discipline using it as a therapy to help them dealing with psychological traumas. This NGO is currently operating in the United States and Nepal, however, Silvia is already working with little girls in Peru.