On the Way to the #SolarSisterSummit

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It always amazes me how incredibly fast time goes. It felt like just yesterday when I signed up to join Solar Sister in a quest to climb Mount Kilimanjaro this July in honor of their five-year anniversary of providing light, hope, and opportunity to over 1,000+ Solar Sister Entrepreneurs across Sub-Saharan Africa. Now there are only six weeks left until I am on the way to Tanzania and I have much training and fundraising left to do.

I must admit that I am already tired out with all the training and it is only the tip of the iceberg. The hike will be 50 miles and almost 20,000 feet so I have much work to do. I have been trying to exercise every day and increase my miles on foot. I’ve walked three lakes, hiked regional and state parks, run up hills and have also been biking. I’m tired but whenever I get drained I realize that I am on my way to achieving my goal both physically and financially.

On my way around one of many urban lakes in Minneapolis.

To meet this challenge, each member of our team is required to raise $4,000 which will help train 8 new Solar Sister Entrepreneurs. As of today, I’m over half way to my goal and have successfully raised $2,133! I am beyond thrilled! Most of the money has been raised by my social network community of blogging friends as well as through Facebook and a home party I hosted in mid-May. It is so incredibly exciting to know that I will be personally impacting another woman and her family’s life through my efforts. When I get exhausted or stressed out by all the training, I remember this simple fact. That what I am doing will change lives and it empowers me to keep on going despite the achy feet. Soon I’ll be on my way to climbing the highest peak in Africa and I can hardly wait.

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: On the Way. 

If you are interested in seeing my progress on fundraising, please check out my CrowdRise page here. It also includes bios on our international team that is doing the Solar Sister climb. Any words of encouragement and support are welcome! 

 


38 thoughts on “On the Way to the #SolarSisterSummit”

  1. Les Petits Pas de Juls – Holbox, Mexico – I am a French sign language interpreter, based ... worldwide! The world is my playground. Home is wherever my backpack is, wherever the wind and my whims take me. Curious traveler (39 countries visited so far), crazy about heights, amateur photographer, newbe yogi, motivated trekker, passionate (sky)diver, clumsy writer, I'm always looking for the next happy moment! On an eco-friendly journey where I become every day more conscious of the consequences of my actions on the environment, I also avidly learn about any trick I can live by and share, to make the world a better, greener and safer place for everyone. Currently based back in southern France, looking for a job, learning Japanese and permaculture, I'm also planning my next getaway!
    Les Petits Pas de Juls on said:

    Inspiring AND climbing! you’re just great! keep the good job going, you’ll do awesomely! (I’m getting ready for Mont Blanc in 2 months! we’ll have climbing experiences to share!)

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you! My dad did Mont Blanc and said it is amazing! Good luck to you too!

      Reply ↓
  2. restlessjo – Hi! I’m Jo! Johanna when I’m feeling posh, Jan to my Dad, and Joasiu to my Polish family. A bit of a mix-up, that’s me. The one constant, however, is my restless nature. I love to travel and to explore our world. It doesn’t have to be the big wide world. I can be ridiculously happy not too far from home, so long as I’m seeking new horizons. Of course I have a wish list, and it was to help me fulfil my dreams that I started to write travel guides for a venture called Simonseeks. I’d always kept a travel diary, and it was hugely satisfying to share my experiences and to make new friends who shared my passion for travel. Alas, Simonseeks hit a few troubles, but I still find myself writing about my travels. I’ve become addicted. I’d love to share them, and to make more friends. So, it has to be a blog- right? Or do I mean- write?
    restlessjo on said:

    Nicole, you are an inspiration. I wish you lots of luck on this venture, which is not without personal risk. It’s a joy to know you. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Jo! It is a pleasure to know you too and I hope someday I can meet you in person! Thanks for your support!!!!

      Reply ↓
  3. laura kilty – The World – I am currently exploring the world, doing lots of yoga, writing and singing lots of music, meeting heaps of interesting people and generally loving my thirties!
    laura kilty on said:

    How amazing! Good luck with it!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Laura!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Ahh thanks Jennifer! You have been a big part of it and for that I’m grateful! You have inspired me so much over the years and I am so honored to know you Jennifer!

      Reply ↓
      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        The feeling is so mutual Jennifer!

  5. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist – Sunshine Coast Qld – I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
    Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist on said:

    Well done with all the fundraising and good luck with the pre training and then the climb. It sounds daunting to me but you are certainly on the way there.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Irene!!! Appreciate the kind words of support!

      Reply ↓

  6. Pingback: Photo Challenge; On the Way | tnkerr-Writing Prompts and Practice

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Andrew: just opened my email and saw your donation! Wow I am so incredibly honored!!! Thank you so much. This means a lot to me and most of all to the future Solar sisters who will get a new opportunity at life! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

      Reply ↓
      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        🙂

  8. Alison and Don – Occupation: being/living/experiencing/travelling. In our sixties, with apparently no other authentic option, my husband Don and I sold our apartment and car, sold or gave away all our stuff and set off to discover the world. And ourselves. We started in Italy in 2011 and from there have travelled to Spain, India, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia, South America, Egypt, Japan, etc. - you can see the blog archive. We travelled full-time for nearly six years, and then re-established a home in Vancouver. We now travel 2-3 months per year. We are interested in how the world works, how life works, how the creation of experience works, how the mind works. As we travel and both "choose" our course, and at the same time just let it unfold, we discover the "mechanics" of life, the astounding creativity of life, and a continual need to return to trust and presence. Opening the heart, and acceptance of what is, as it is, are keystones for us both. Interests: In no particular order: travel, photography, figure skating (as a fan), acceptance, authenticity, walking/hiking, joy, creativity, being human, adventure, presence, NOW. Same for Don except replace figure skating with Formula One motor racing.
    Alison and Don on said:

    WTG Nicole! I hope you reach your goals. You and your big heart are a great blessing to the world. It must feel wonderful to be able to bring about change at a grass roots level like this. I wish you luck with it all.
    Alison

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much Alison! I need all the support I can get! I physically and mentally can do it but sometimes it gets hard with all the planning and worrying about the kids. Thankfully I finally found a good sitter to help out so that is a huge relief. Even more of a relief than the training and fundraising to me! 🙂 That’s being a mom I guess. 🙂

      Reply ↓

  9. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: ON THE WAY | The Adventures of Iñigo Boy

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you so much!

      Reply ↓

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  12. Sue Slaght – Calgary, Alberta Canada – www.traveltalesoflife.com Many years from now, when I am an old lady sitting in the nursing home, I hope to be the twinkly eyed resident still entertaining anyone who I can corner to listen, about all of the wild adventures attempted in a lifetime. Well into the second half of the game of life there is no time like the present to get out there, live big and laugh a lot. Living in Calgary, Alberta, married to my best friend Dave for over thirty years and Mom to adult children; my decades as a nurse have shown that in a moment life can change completely. Passionate about social justice, volunteerism and not letting the phrase “What would people think?” or my own fear get in the way of trying something new; the possibilities are endless. Enjoy the tales and I hope you will be inspired to try something you have been thinking about doing.
    Sue Slaght on said:

    Sounds like you are doing some amazing training and fundraising! Such a great cause.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Sue! It is hard. A lot going on with the kids and end of school year. Sometimes I get pretty anxious about the whole thing but thankfully I finally found a babysitter to help so that is a huge relief! I am really excited though. More so once I’m on the plane!

      Reply ↓

  13. Reaching the summit is a matter of taking it slow. might be near to impossible on a 4-day trek but becomes almost a 100% chance on a 7-day round trip trek. It’s all about the high altitude so don’t worry too much about fitness 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Yes I’ve thankfully done some long trekking so I know that it can be more of a marathon not a race. I’m also glad I’ve been at high altitude just this last November and did ok. I’m really looking forward to it!

      Reply ↓
  14. Nilzeitung – West Europas – Danke für ihren Besuch.!!"dieser Seite im Aufbau". Es stimmt, dass es keine Freiheit ohne Pressefreiheit gibt. Wahrer Frieden des Journalismus ist eine der Säulen der Demokratie (Salah El-Nemr) se/nz.
    nilzeitung on said:

    Reblogged this on Nilzeitung.

    Reply ↓

  15. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: On the Way | Beijing Daily Photo 2

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Amy! I’m really excited about the trip!

      Reply ↓

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