This week, celebrities went the extra mile – literally – to promote an important cause. Grammy-nominated musician Kenna led a group of actors, musicians, activists, and researchers on a difficult climb to the snowy top of Mt. Kilimanjaro on Tuesday. Among the celebrities who reached the summit were rapper Lupe Fiasco and actors Emile Hirsch and Jessica Biel. After a six-day trek, they reached the peak of Africa’s tallest mountain in the culmination of Kenna’s Summit on the Summit project, the goal of which was to raise awareness and funds for the global water crisis. Kenna made this his mission because his father was affected by waterborne diseases in his native Ethiopia.
Throughout the trip, the climbers engaged in a dialogue about the water crisis and posted photos and video blogs about potential solutions. Several sponsor agencies donated to the Children’s Safe Drinking Water program, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, and Water For People's Playpump Technology. A film crew followed the travelers, and a documentary about their journey will air on MTV in March.
--Sophie Matson