— 11 Comments

Guest Post: On the Ground in Madagascar with WaterAid

Clean water and sanitation are a worldwide problem that impacts millions around the globe. The figures are startling and unimaginable. Per WHO/UNICEF estimates, 783 million people  (11% of the world’s population) in the world do not have access to safe water. 2.5 billion people (35% of world’s population) in the world do not have access to adequate sanitation. Tragically, around 700,000 children die every year from diarrhea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation – that’s almost 2,000 children a day.

WaterAid is one of the world leaders in providing clean water and sanitation throughout the developing world. I have been honored to see their work on the ground during a May trip to India and have been sharing stories about their amazing work around the globe on my blog. Earlier this summer, I shared a story about the work WaterAid is doing in Madagascar to provide toilets and taps to school children.

Over the summer, WaterAid has worked to to reach 12,000 children in 31 schools by providing 150 taps and 100 toilets in Madagascar. Ernest Randriarimalala a field officer with WaterAid visited one of the projects in mid-July and I’m honored to share his update of the progress that has been made on the ground below.

Per Randriarimalala, “A key element of the photos here is about the hopes, dreams and potential for the future of the children in this primary school in Tsimahavaobe village. Some photos show children drawing and presenting their drawing of what they want to be when they grow up“. I hope you find this report inspiring of the the good we can do by giving people the simple luxury of safe water and sanitation.

WaterAid Madagascar

Children who have been helped by WaterAid’s work in Madagascar. Photo credit: Ernest Randriarimalala/WaterAid.

Global Health Global Issues Global Non-Profit Organizations and Social Good Enterprises SOCIAL GOOD
— 22 Comments

New Partnership with National Geographic Kids

INSIDER LOGO Hi-Res

I am thrilled to announce my new partnership with National Geographic Kids as an “Insider.”  In this new role, I will be a brand ambassador for their wide variety of fabulous products and also get an inside look into all the amazing work they are doing around the world. National Geographic Kids is a non-profit, mission-driven organization that inspires children to care about their planet and get outdoors. As an Insider, I will have access to sneak previews, exclusive photos and events, as well as access to National Geographic authors, photographers and international explorers. The best part of all is I will be able to share everything I learn with you!

For the last year I’ve worked with a lot of amazing NGOs whose mission is to save and improve peoples lives around the world. National Geographic is the perfect fit with my mission and I am so honored to get the opportunity to work with them and share their stories with you. I can hardly wait to take a step inside National Geographic’s “yellow border” and inspire you to explore the world in a new way.

Stay tuned….

SOCIAL GOOD
Los Glaciares National Park
— 30 Comments

My Top Five Wild Hikes

I just finished reading Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” a dark, raw and fiercely humorous book on how one woman finds herself during a three-month long trek through the wild Pacific Crest Trail. The book is powerful, emotional, honest and inspiring, and Strayed uses her brilliant memoir to take a hard look at self-discovery, heeling and change.

Of course when times are tough, we can’t always pick up our bags and leave town. Yet, I often find that there is no better way to escape and reflect upon life than to go on a hike, and the more remote and wild, the better. I have been fortunate to have done many wonderful adventurous hikes over the years.  Although every hike I’ve done has been special and has brought me to a new place, there are a select few that have truly inspired me and are unforgettable.

Here is a list of the top five wild hikes that are bound to get your mind thinking.

Adventure Travel Argentina Chile Guatemala Iceland Nepal Sustainable Travel and Travel Resources Trekking/Hiking