We were just talking about climbing Mt Kilimanjaro at my house last night–a dream plan that is still on my list of things to do. It’s no wonder, then, that this project makes me jealous, but also inspired. 
A group of young celebrities, including Emile Hirsch, Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Gore, Alexandra Cousteau, Lupe Fiasco, Kenna, and more, climbed Kili early in January to raise funds and awareness for safe drinking water programs around the world. The website for Summit on the Summit has about a zillion bells and whistles, but allowed us to follow along with each day’s progress up to the 19,340-foot top of the mountain. Video and blog posts recorded the upward progress, and numerous interactive portals gave information about the global water crisis. The climb is over, but the site is still active, and a great way to dig into a deeper knowledge about saving lives with clean water.
Over one billion people do not have daily access to clean, safe drinking water, and without water, not other aspect of life can be optimal (and survival itself cannot last long).
A documentary film of the climb comes out March 14, broadcast on MTV. Until then, explore the site, donate some dollars to clean water, and, perhaps most importantly, think of creative ways to use the major undertakings in your life to support the things you care about. Running a 5K race? Even if it isn’t a charitable event, you can still ask friends to sponsor you with a dollar amount for each kilometer, then donate it to your charity of choice. Losing weight? What if family and friends sponsor your health goals AND your charity by donating an amount for every pound you drop? Wouldn’t it be inspiring if you used the opportunity to make a difference in your own world to also make a difference for everyone?
Change by Doing 