Having recently completed her 200th marathon in the space of a year, rain, winds, snow, heat, dust and devastating droughts were little deterrents for Mina Guli, who has dedicated her life to making every drop of water count.
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Mina, the founder and CEO of Thirst, is a global leader, entrepreneur and adventurer.
Her message has reached more than 4 billion people, inspiring a generation of water heroes.
She was also named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, one of Australia’s most influential women, and among the 50 greatest leaders in the world, alongside Angela Merkel, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook and the Pope, by Fortune Magazine in 2016.
Her adventure began when she had an epiphany on the banks of the Orange River in the Richtersveld.
‘I just realized that we have a major problem with water and that not enough is being done,’ she explained. ‘I thought to myself, if not me then who and if not now then when.’
‘While standing in the Richtersveld, I noticed that overconsumption of water had lead to dramatically reduced levels.’
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‘I saw how much was being used to produce the things we eat and consume on a daily basis.’
‘That was the moment I decided that this is what I was going to do with the rest of my life. I wanted to solve the water crisis no matter what it took.’
‘I knew that there was no going back into the corporate world and that I needed to do my part to solve the crisis.’
Mina grew up in drought-stricken Australia. While running was not her forte as a child, the importance of preserving water had always weighed on her mind.
‘I used to look for any reason to shurk it as a kid.’
‘I would always have a music recital or other appointment but when doctors said I would never be able to run again, I wanted to prove to them that I could do whatever I put my mind to.’
‘I first started walking, then running, as I wanted to show that I was the one to set limits on my own ability.’
Mina said that each of her marathons had come with its own story and challenges and had proven to be a significant learning experience.
‘There are few experiences that compare to running up glaciers in Tajikistan or 5000m above sea-level in Bolivia during flash floods, through waist-deep water, or shin-deep sands in the middle of the desert,’ she explained.
‘These were all incredibly powerful experiences for different reasons but they were also opportunities to meet amazing people.’
Africa, in particular, has a special place in Mina’s heart, where the friendliness and resilience of its people never fail to impress.
‘Meeting the women and girls in some of the towns in Africa, where they showed me how they developed hand-dug wells and walked for miles and miles, every day, to get water really left its mark on me.’
‘I’ve also been fortunate to meet some amazing farmers who are coming up with new and amazing ways to produce crops that use less water.’
‘By the time I completed my 200th marathon, on 26 March, we had created this truly global movement of people raising awareness.’
‘That was the moment that I realized that we were all part of this truly global community that showed that many steps can make great things happen.’
‘Through this experience, I’ve learned the value of connections, the power of people and the importance of working together.’
‘Someone told me, at the end of my last campaign, that as individuals we can have an impact but by working together we can change the world.’
‘I’ve seen how serious the water crisis is with my own eyes and my goal is to get others to see that too and take action.’
‘As for runners, if you have the opportunity to pick up litter, please do.’
‘Step up and use your voice to preserve water and support organizations like ours.’
‘We frequently have virtual runs and really encourage everyone to participate. Show the world that you care about water.’
For more information visit: www.minaguli.com or www.thirstfoundation.org
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Pictures: Supplied