CLIMBER BLOG: Elizabeth Gore

FROM TANZANIA TO ETHIOPIA

Coming off the high of summiting Kilimanjaro, a group of SOTSK climbers loaded a plane, not home to the comfort of the US, but to Ethiopia. Exhausted, sore and bruised, Kenna, Jessica, Santi and I wanted to see firsthand why we just endured a 19,340 foot ascent (and descent).

Arriving in Addis Ababa, we were greeted by our very own village elder, Dr. Zemedkun (Kenna’s dad) and Kenna’s sister, Emerald. It seemed so appropriate to go full circle to where the SOTSK project was born - in the Zemedkun family homeland. On Friday the 15th, we woke early to participate in a site visit hosted by my organization, the UN Foundation. We boarded a small (really small) plane to head west to Jijiga, one of the driest places in the world. Looking out of the plane, I did not see one river, lake or reservoir. Heading into the landing, it took two passes to finally hit the dirt air strip. I should have known something was up when the pilot said out loud, “I wonder if they are going to move the camels off the runway,” before we touched down. Hundreds of curious onlookers rushed the plane as we waited for the UN vehicles to find our exact location. Our guides for the day, UNHCR, the United Nation’s High Commission for Refugees and a beneficiary of SOTSK, would show us the way into the heart of this area, the Kebribeyah refugee camp.

The UNHCR is responsible for 40 million displaced people around the world, half of which do not have adequate access to clean water. The camps they run in Ethiopia are some of the most desperate. Arriving in Kebribeyah, we viewed the Jarrar water supply system that is run by UNHCR, supplying water for both refugees and local Ethiopian people. Prior to the water system being in place, these people lived on a few liters of water per day, which is barely living, while the current system managed by the UNHCR and the local government provides 12 to 15 liters per day per person and for life supporting livestock. The system needs an upgrade to reach the UNHCR minimum standard of 20 liters per person per day. Our technical water engineer and UNHCR employee, Anthony, gave Kenna the financial details needed for the system so we could ask you - the public - to help us fund the upgrade.

Leaving the system, we drove the long, bumpy road to the refugee camp. Our first stop was to visit with a Somali refugee committee which was the first ever headed by a woman. Her initial words resonated with us. “I was never born to be a refugee. We are human beings too.” Although they have water points, we learned of their need for more water in the camps. Then Dr. Zemedkun told the story of the summit group conquering Kilimanjaro for clean water which resulted in a thunderous applause. The group welcomed us to their camp and the primary school, the true highlight of the day. The students exuded hope and confidence for their future. We glanced at each other in that school room and knew that we had to give water to those kids so they could achieve their dreams. Walking through camp, Jessica and I spent time with two women in their homes which were made of wooden sticks, old t-shirts and mud floors. The women told us of their need and how much better life was now that UNHCR has put a water source within 200 meters of their home. Now they hope for up to 20 liters per day per child. Our entire SOTSK team was overwhelmed by the resilience of these people. All they have is each other and their hope to return home, to Somalia, some day. The least we can provide them is safe water. The clinic in the camp sees a lot of water borne diseases, especially the children. This day provided a deep education for us regarding the need for clean water, but also about the solutions that are sustainable.

After thanking the UNHCR, we loaded the plane. I immediately noticed how incredibly quiet everyone was on the SOTSK team. Then one by one each person would mention to me their hope to support the people we saw. How can we bring water to 600,000 people in the most barren part of Africa? With you! We know the solution - we saw it firsthand. We just need your help. Send water today to www.summitonthesummit.com.

- Elizabeth Gore

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER - Elizabeth & Lupe

Climb Day 3

At breakfast, Elizabeth said, “I’m nervous about downhill topday”. Lupe didn’t miss a beat, telling her, “Let’s stick together Go-Go.”

After they dominated 15,000 feet at the Lava Tower, they headed into a very tricky steep, rocky, muddy downhill section. A quarter of the way down, Elizabeth’s trekking pole snapped in half. It was the worst point in the climb so far to lose a pole since we needed our poles for balance as we climbed down the rocks. Without missing a beat, Lupe turned around and gave me Elizabeth his poles and kept going.

As they were nearing the end of our their trek, still downhill, and very slick, muddy and rocky, the girls and boys had separated and Elizabeth was the lead girl when she took an epic spill, feet shooting out from under her and slammed down on the rocks.

Melissa and her guide Wilfred were instantly at her side…thankfully she just a bit scraped up…a bruised/skinned shin and elbow.

Suddenly Lupe came climbing back up the trail. “Go-Go, you alright?!?” Liz responded she was to which Lupe replied, “It’s me and you the rest of the way.”

They climbed down the rest of the way together.

A bit later while they were in the meal tent, Elizabeth pulled out an arrowhead shaped piece of obsidian rock (Lupe had been collecting a few along the way) and gave it to him as a thank you for the day.

CLIMBER BLOG: Elizabeth Gore

WHY I JOINED SOTSK

I build public campaigns and partnerships to give every individual the opportunity to help or engage with the UN. I was asked to come and represent the UN to serve as an educator and expert on development issues in Africa, as well as to engage my social network to remind the world that water affects every Millennium Development Goal, especially young girls. (And right after this personal adventure, I’m going to take on the adventure of all time…stay tuned!)

If this were to end today, what I’d take away, other than Lupe, is a relief that people who are at the top of their industry, (Jessica as an actor, Lupe as a rapper, Melissa as the world’s best female climber) are going to help the UN tackle the global water crisis. It’s my job to help some of the most vulnerable people in the world who don’t have a voice. I work so hard and it’s often exhausting work and I often wonder if anyone out there is listening. After meeting my fellow climbers, I’ll never have to wonder that again.

- Elizabeth Gore

As Simon and I were getting ready for bed, he nonchalantly mentioned, “I’ve had malaria, typhoid, pretty much anything you can get.” He said it like I’d say I’ve had bronchitis or a sore throat. He walked over his bed and started unwrapping the malaria net as casually as one would pull back the covers. I quickly copied him. For most of the climbers, this was their first night sleeping with a malaria net.And the only thing I knew about malaria nets was that the legendary sportswriter, Rick Reilly, had started a foundation called Nothing But Nets. No sooner had that thought crossed my mind, Simon said, “I’m also involved with this really cool charity, Nothing But Nets!” I connected the small-world dots and told him I was currently adapting Rick’s book, MISSING LINKS, for Steve Carell at Warner Bros. He then told me that he was involved with Rick’s cause because of Elizabeth Gore who created the foundation with Rick!

- Jay Lavender

Nothing But Nets Foundation