Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, is the tallest mountain in Africa, standing at 19,341 feet above sea level. It is one of the Seven Summits of the World, and longtime regional visitor Greg Godkin, 53, is going to climb it, even if he’s never done anything like this before.  

But, one year ago, he decided ascending Kilimanjaro was just the challenge he needed after reading Michael Easter’s “The Comfort Crisis,” which argues that experiencing discomfort is essential to attaining personal growth or, in Godkin’s words, the importance of doing things that test you, even if you don't succeed.  

“It's kind of crazy because the book talks about doing things that are so much bigger than you. And little did I know what this (project) would look like a year from (when I started).” 

In conjunction with the trip, Godkin originally planned to raise $10,000 to benefit Well Aware, a nonprofit dedicated to creating long-lasting fresh drinking water sources in East Africa.  

“This community is allowing me to come and climb their mountain, and so this was my way of giving back and saying thank you.” 

However, his goal shifted after the devastating flash floods that killed many young girls and camp leaders at Camp Mystic in Texas earlier this month. Upon discovering that a longtime supporter of Well Aware lost their daughter, Godkin decided to dedicate himself to raising $65,000 to fund an entire water project, which will be named after their daughter. Her name is currently being kept private.  

“What the climb means to me now has nothing to do with me. I'm nothing but the conduit of the guy climbing the mountain. Every step I take will be in her memory; honoring her and getting this freshwater system built in her name, where she will leave a legacy (that) is going to save people's lives.” 

According to Well Aware’s website, nearly 60% of water projects in Africa fail, often within the first year; meanwhile, the organization has maintained a 100% success rate across its 139 projects through technical expertise, local community involvement, and continued oversight. Over half a million people have been positively impacted.  

At the time of writing, Godkin’s campaign has raised about $38,000. His ascent begins July 28. The week-long experience starts in a rainforest, moving through different climates as the elevation rises until the group Godkin is traveling with reaches the Arctic summit. 

Godkin has spent the last year training by hiking with a 30-pound rucksack near his Austin home, although a wrench was thrown in his plans two months ago when he fell during one such hiking trip and broke his foot. He’s still not fully recovered, but that hasn’t deterred him. He’s climbing for something much greater than himself. 

Donations to the campaign can be made on the Well Aware website (wellawareworld.org/godkin/)