Climbing Mt. Whitney for water

Solomon and Natasha with Mt. Whitney in the background

Solomon Habte was born in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, but left in 1973, during an extremely difficult and bloody period in Ethiopian history. Solomon spent six years in Greece, where he met and married another expatriate, Suzanne, from England. Now living in California, Solomon was finally able to return to Ethiopia with his daughter, Natasha, in 2001. Solomon’s family wanted to do something to help the people of his homeland with their immense water and sanitation needs. They decided to climb Mt. Whitney in honor of Ethiopians in need of safe water.

Although poor weather and 45 mph winds prevented the team from summiting on August 6th, their goal of raising $1,000 for Water 1st projects in Ethiopia was reached. And, as Suzanne said, they will have another chance to summit. “The mountain is not going anywhere.”

At Water 1st, we truly believe in the power of the grassroots. We believe it is important for us as individuals to join together in addressing this issue. We have the power to transform lives.

Thank you to Solomon, Suzanne, Natasha and their friends and family for helping to change lives and save lives in Ethiopia.

If you are interested in setting up your own online fundraising page like they did, go to our Firstgiving site or contact us at info@water1st.org.  You can also go to Shop Water 1st, to purchase Water 1st gear, which we were excited to see Natasha and Max wearing for their Mt. Whitney climb!

Natasha and friend, Max, at Mt. Whitney wearing their Water 1st t-shirts!