#@sotsk

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Lupe Fiasco shares the dream of SOTSK from the snow-covered peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro...

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THANK YOU Guides, Cooks, Waiters & Porters!

We were blessed with an incredible support team...

OUR GUIDES

Wilbard Minja Wilfred Moshi Onesphory Mtui Prosper Kamil Gaudence Chikima Bernard Shirima Edward Seth Simon Zablon Calvin Assey William Bwenje Msafiri Muna Edward Kitungala Nestory Kavishe Charles Kihiyo Saria Emmanuel Mnaku Renatus

OUR COOKS

Michael Tobias Mtuy John Minja Pascal Kamil Felician August

OUR WAITERS

Focus Mtui David Mtuy John Otto Felgisme August

OUR PORTERS

Msafiri Munna Ndekiryia Lubisio Lucas Kiango Joni Saimoni Abdala Bakari Nuhu Aihmoni Christopher Masue Siriri Emanuel Zabloni Ramadiani Radhiri Saidi Lenard Peter Zuberi Jhaitari Peter Janyes Joseph Lordvick Emannuel Munud Deo Myari Ali Sadati L. Emanuel Ramadhani Swalenhe Eliyasa Hasail Owari Hasani Hamisi Shabansi Hamisi Sharifu Zhabani Zalimil Sasimoni Tobias Michaeli Mtung Shakayo Slaa Albarty Muhuo Polizb Abrahni Baraka Bless Nestory Kawishe Emanuel E Minja Semu Sangito Tito Athumani Lukas Japhet Farata Gabriel Julias Mark Deniel Sarakikya Abinery Nnko Mysa Emanuel Zacharia Kumba Charles Stuart Karim Mottamey Juma Dosa Ido Harusi Saluri Omari Hasan Shekibula Samuel Amiri Rajabu Kasim Kasim Ally Babuu Yusuph Mohamed Buny Miraji Abdalah Musa Hasan Jabiri Musa Ally Saidi Salehe Zuberi Josam Abraham Staley Nguma Ndewario Jumbe Laurange Godfry Nange Kapange Athuman Seleman Zigfrid L Assey Sinyaeli Sfaeli Miraji Yusmfu Musa Athuman Nasibu Hamisi Nasibu Juma John Rafael Farah Idi Nasiri Omari Shabiru Abdalah Saidi Abdalah Ramadhani Yusufu Anania Urio Ruwaichi Anichi Robert Limo Prosper Ndesoma Charles Toma Steven Uforo Minja Wilson Awadi Msafriri Richard Miso Windston Mremea Lawrent Mtuy Claude Tobias Armini Teruba Daniel Frank Tredo Rama Richard Lema Ndetirima Miu Alfonce Alfayo Edgar Simon John Esau Respic Amosi Boniface Gaudeno Valerian Mato Jacob Olyal Kilimes Aerkro Januel Raphael Jenas K Olmarie Juma Mohamed Onesharopt Micheal Justine Kessy John Aloke Thomas Kamil John Scholion Mtiu Method Julias Rama Amani Maelwo Andrea Rachema John Bosco John Haes Abala Lysfy Paul John Azihari Hadini Juma Mohamed Paneil August Agust Urio Maziri Hasan Wilson Husen Juma Shabali lisha Elhuruma Fomeli Lukumai Onaki Mohamed Ndekirwa indbise Jhafail Skeimal Bakari Addl Laizer Moiel Chizme August Ashaimu Sheshe Izack Mfui Enest Mazalia Jaustin Riklueara Nelson Ernese Savia Izake Deo Meela Krispin Meela Peter Minja Elia Emanuel Falus Emanuel August Faustini Adinal Mhera Aelis Meela Jondaj Godsome Moddy Athrimanl Prospa Shirima Addy Hamis Olta Shiria Ehari Wazirs Lucas Victory Alidy Anaf Ramabhali Alidy Mklambajh Leyis Patrik Pazia Ernest Mouel Fredrick moflin William Morge Nundin Nkayx Alfani Mswedyax Fusufu Ahmed Nyerne Lokorio Filbeart Moshii Richard Mosha Emanuel Laitolia Paul Mushin Nicolaus Laizeri Eliamani Fanuel Pourmen Lukuai Jastine Kessy Fanuel Itaely Kilymes Dekiro Jacobo Osward Hussein Wilson Hassani Waziri Amani Iddi Azihari Hadini Hendry Miu Abdalah Yusph Richard Lukumay Gaudence Chikiua Peter minja Ktali Sebastitah Lotta Scbahili Neson Ernest Sauia Emanueld Kealter Aninea Gerad Limo Wililum Sabaya Jafri Ramadhan Joakim Minja Raimon Simon Anselini Fredicrik Udah Emanuel Emanuel Seth Athuman Ramadhan Bonifcs Maunyi Mirati Juma Hassani Omari Jumma Ramadhan Saidi Sedikisse Samuel Rafaeli Iransis Kiluahli Alex Kisioki Pasko Nikodemi Joahn Ninja David Mtui William Laiza Melita Laiza Maiko Lembris Frelimo Makaza Jackson Melita Yonathan Shala Alrayo Alois Gudlack Amos Sifuni Wiliam Tumain Lukumayo Pascal Peter Elibarik Jackson Peter Visent Aron Jastin Peter Alois Adinani Issack Hamis Hussen Wilbad Atanas Nasible Matimbo Gaston Shaban Emasio Nanyahn Joseph Molleri

Ihsante Hanyano Balcari Alhumanel Goodlike Munnuo Davis Supireano Karinne Musazra John Mosses Peter Aloyce Daniel Mandela Dems Maleo Venanco Mirya Eyuene Axecla Augst Rodgandi Facus Peitter Veclastov Matte Steven Coleman Tymain Kmaryok Thomas Nandadi Savana Ayaseli Alex Martin Ames Yova Roman Rudovick John Malci Joel Modest William Bwenje Roginara Mlise Albeid Munziba Nolimbe Solongivyo Idrio Jonadhim Thomas Palipo Pter Maslundi Selemani Pwapwata Ayse Kaiuninga Walnkango Mzee Peter Symon Elibariki Kefas

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CLIMBER BLOG: Shannon Ethridge

I think this project ultimately picked me rather than the other way around. I was actually on a trip with Kenna and a group of mutual friends in early 2008 when the words about his vision began to permate into all of our hearts. He wanted to invite his friends to climb Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for clean water. It was a simple notion, yet Kenna knew the effort required action takers and that somewhere in his world of DOers...they existed. As many of my Angeleno friends jumped on board to help him, I naturally feel into the mix. At about the same time, this Gandhi quote had taken hold of me: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." It had become a catalyst to begin my own search for a way to participate in a larger movement. If I could lead by example, would anyone follow? I had joined forces with my good friend Brooke Fedro to start a partnership that motivated creative, cause-oriented content with an action-oriented vision. Brooke and I knew we could DO something to help make Kenna's vision a reality, but it was just going to taking some pavement pounding. A little hard work towards something you believe in is good for the soul, and I was ready to feed mine. What was an issue that I had no sense of quickly became my passion. The stories and statistics surrounding clean water for humanity overwhelmed me. This was a massive problem! Each person I told sensed the enormity. But I knew that even the simplest of actions could make an incredible difference in the lives of others, so I stayed on the long train ride towards Kilimanjaro.  When I invested in producing this massive effort, I truly saw it as a simple way that I could help those who needed it or a way to at least inspire others to do the same. If I just started to DO something...everything would fall into place...and that is exactly what happened. SOTSK was a success because of the collaborations that will exist beyond our footsteps on that mountain, because of the community we formed that will take larger footsteps in creating a movement for clean, safe drinking water. You don't have to climb a mountain to change the world, but you could flush your toilet less often or volunteer for an hour and actually change a life. In the words of Nike...JUST DO IT!

- Shannon Ethridge

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SOTSK PROJECT COORDINATOR BLOG: Danielle Dreis

I landed in Hollywood after a year of travel to 30+ countries. My dream was to get into feature films, but the universe had other plans for me. When I first met Brooke & Shannon and learned about SOTSK I was alarmed by the water statistics they presented, but at the same time inspired by their dedication towards solving this issue. After learning about SOTSK every other project seemed trivial, I needed to be a part of this climb. For me, my involvement in this project has been the pinnacle of my career...being able to work in the entertainment industry on a project that's for the greater good has been incredibly fulfilling.   The experience was incredible. I feel so blessed to have been a part of such an amazing event. The SOTSK team is inspirational and I feel very fortunate to know these people. But in the end, what I hope I'll never forget about SOTSK, is that we can make a difference...every one of us has the ability to positively change the future of people in need. So little can mean so much.  Every little bit helps. Awareness is the key to change. Understanding your impact and changing your habits will make a difference.  

- Danielle Dreis

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THANK YOU Dickie Morris for helping create this blog!

While we were climbing up the mountain in Africa, Dickie was across the world in Virginia receiving our texts, tweets, emails and pics...often working through the night due to the time-difference to get the posts up...

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SOTSK SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR BLOG: Azita Ardakani

A few months before SOTSK launched, I was visiting LA and met Kenna through a mutual friend. When the waiter came by, Kenna asked for water — tap water — and said he would reuse his glass…making it clear he places his passion about water into action wherever he goes.

I was working in Social Media at a software company and when I heard about the SOTSK campaign, it was everything my tech and cause-driven heart could ask for. A virtual and real life climb, scaled foot-by-foot, interactive with photos, videos, and updates right from Mt. Kilimanjaro – all in the name of the clean water crisis which kills a child every 15 seconds. I wanted in.

I began volunteering on the project from Vancouver, sending in ideas and strategy. Closer to the full launch, I decided I would regret it if I didn’t get wholly involved, even if it meant quitting my job and going to LA to work on it for a few weeks – I had no idea what I was getting myself into. When I arrived, I was thrown full force into SOTSK. We had Sponsors (HP, Windows, First Ascent, Revo, PUR), beneficiaries (UNHCR, Play Pumps, Water for People), celebrities (Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Emile Hirsh, Isabel Lucas, Santigold), activists, (Elizabeth Gore, Alexandra Cousteau, Kick Kennedy, Bernise Ang), educators (Dr. Greg Allgood, Simon Isaacs), artists (Jimmy Chin, Michael Muller) and we had the crisis of clean water. Connecting the dots between all of these people and platforms would become my challenge, telling the story and building momentum and awareness for a virtually unknown initiative would become my mission.

Summit on the Summit became the number one cause on Facebook. We hit 12 million impressions on one day with the 
“Wave” campaign that had various Twitter celebrity profiles “Go Blue” on their avatars and show their support for us prior to the climb. We built a 50,000 person community cross platform on Facebook & Twitter from nothing and we got our message out there.

I took away many lessons from Summit. First and foremost: this is about what we are made of - over 70% our bodies, to be exact, is made from water’s molecular structure of hydrogen and oxygen. Water is life - it dictates economy, equality & society. This wasn’t just a campaign, this was a wakeup call. If we do not save water at home, send water to those who need it, and keep educating ourselves – we have no one to blame but ourselves.

With the benefits of technology we can now create virtual communities of real people and rally together to make amazing things really happen. I got to be at the forefront of this for SOTSK and the fight is not over. I hope for every web-based initiative to go beyond the splash, the celebrity, and to keep the human reminder of the intrinsic necessity of what motivates causes. In a time where there is a plethora of initiatives to get behind, it is easy to see it as a check box to join a group and call it a day. Ensuring that there is an organic reminder and voice that resonates on an ongoing basis is a social responsibility. I learned that being clear, true and focused to what your ultimate goal is the best marketing strategy out there.

This fight isn’t over. We have a very healthy community of supporters (like you reading this) and we will keep you engaged, involved and a part of our mission to solve the clean water crisis!

- Azita Ardakani

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I've got to say that it was one of the most challenging and rewarding things I've ever done...not climbing Kilimanjaro, but organizing and running THIS Kilimanjaro climb!

- Thomas Holden, lead guide from Thomson Safaris

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Day 5: We're Almost to the TOP!