By Cassandra Ballard

I made it alive. I successfully finished my 100 mile hike in my goal of 8 days. The journey was not without trials, though. There were moments where I thought continuing was not an option and failure was a sure thing. Now, as I have almost recovered from the physical injuries, I am able to look back on my once-in-a-lifetime journey and see it for what it really was.

I started planning this ambitious trek when I was looking for the stillness in life, the simplicity. I wanted to shut out the excessive noise that so often comes with careers, being an adult, and living in a city like Los Angeles. Not only did I find complete peace in my journey but, I found the core of who I am and my strength. When one is faced with survival situations and stripped of all distractions that come with life, one is forced to rely on self-strength and God. I quickly had to face my own limits and push past what I thought I could not. I couldn't help but think of the women of Niger and what their strength must look like.

The mountain is unforgiving. I encountered things you find in books and movies: bears within feet from me, a bee-infested mountain side, swarms of mice at my camp when the sun went down, relentless mosquitoes, elevation gains that required your hands and feet, walking on the edge of a mountain inside a wind tunnel pushing 45 mph, and dealing with the most painful blisters that appeared early in my hike on every single toe. These are only a fraction of the obstacles I faced. The most prominent trial, though, was a drought that lasted two days on the mountain. I was forced to conserve what little water I did have in order to cook meals and the lack of drinking water quickly became terrifying. Of course, this only made me hear the voices of every Nigerien woman who lacks water on a daily basis. When I thought I could no longer walk, they told me I could. They told me I had to.

I went looking for self-discovery on the Wonderland. In addition, I found the crisis these women and girls are facing right now. I saw a glimpse of what life must be for them…and it must seem hopeless. It is solely up to me and you to make sure that not a single child has to go one day without water. I am honored to carry their burden until change happens. I am honored to have walked their walk.

To read more about Cassie's journey or to contribute to her Water Circle, go to wellsbringhope.org/walkforhope.