Elias and Ethan Blanca

Hello!

We are Ethan and Elias Blanca, and we are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro this summer with our grandfather, Mike Navolio, who began the Clean Water Climb in 2011. We were both born and raised in Bakersfield, CA where we currently live. We would like to tell you a little about ourselves and why we are doing this.

Ethan –

I am 20 years old. Some activities I enjoy doing are drawing, writing, and discovering more about history. I am currently enrolled at PUC as a sophomore. I hope to complete a Liberal Studies degree with a teaching emphasis to become an elementary school teacher. Initially, I had no real drive to undertake climbing a mountain like Mt. Kilimanjaro. The work that needed to go into preparing for the trip seemed like too much. However, since starting college, I’ve come to the realization that I may not get another chance to show God’s glory in such away in my later years. I feel like God wants me to experience something way out of my comfort zone so that I push myself to learn new things. By doing this, I feel that God will open my perspective and show me the greater plan He has for me. In 2020, I participated in the Colorado Ten 14ers Climb where my brother and I managed to raise over $1,250 – enough for one water well. I want to further raise awareness and funds so that many more people may experience clean, safe water!

Elias –

I am 17 years old. Currently I am a junior in high school. Some activities I enjoy doing are Gymnastics, violin, and cello. I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2018 because I recognized the need for clean water when I first visited Malawi in 2012 with my family. In November 2019, I then climbed to Everest Base Camp with my grandpa on the 1st Annual Everest Base Camp Clean Water Climb! In 2020, I also climbed 10 peaks in Colorado with my brother to raise money for clean water. I want to help raise money and awareness for the clean water crisis. I also want to climb mountains because it’s an amazing experience and I really want to challenge myself.

2012 Malawi Visit –

In 2012, when we first visited Child Legacy in Malawi, we witnessed the horrible living conditions and the contaminated water sources that the people of Malawi drank from. This awareness fueled our passion to raise money for clean water. Our Mom successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro that year with my grandpa to raise awareness and funds for Child Legacy’s clean water ministry. Some of our other experiences during our visit to Africa included: visiting Malawi villages, witnessing water well repairs, and sharing bible stories. We had so much fun during the trip! This summer, we will be traveling to Malawi to help repair wells and share Bible stories. Then, we will go and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money and awareness for clean water in Malawi!

Our Goal –

Please help us reach our goal of raising $5000, enough to repair 4 broken water wells in rural Malawi, which will benefit about 8,000 people with clean, safe drinking water for 5-10 years!