MTV cleans up its act with “Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro”

MTV isn’t exactly the home of highbrow television with shows like “The Hills” and “Jersey Shore.” They are trying something different on March 14th by airing a new documentary about the clean water crisis called “Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro.” The ninety minute show focuses on a ragtag group of scientists, educators, and celebrities like Jessica Biel and Santigold who dared to climb the mountain to publicize the cause.

It’s easy to take clean water for granted because it’s all around us from bottled water to the nearest tap. Imagine a world where your water supply was also where the local cows defecated or your government had no laws that prevented water pollution. That’s the reality for over one billion people in the world and the cause of 80% of the world’s illnesses.

Born in Ethiopia and raised in the US, music producer and singer Kenna was unaware of the clean water crisis until he had a chat with his father. He wanted to know why he spent years saving up $10,000 to help build a well back home.

Kenna’s father told him the dark history his family experienced because of the quality of water back in Ethiopia. The effects of waterborne illness hit his father well into his teens and it killed many of his friends and even Kenna’s uncle.

Shocked at the facts he decided that he had to do something to attract attention to the issue. Some would have planned a telethon or a fundraising party but he wanted conquer Africa’s highest peak with a little help from his friends.

Kenna said, “I wanted people who got to see this climb to see themselves. I wanted to make sure we had Bernice Ang from Singapore and Lupe Fiasco from the South side of Chicago and Jessica Biel from treehugger Colorado. That’s the only way I felt like we would have a real summit, a real conversation.”

Earlier this year the climb raised funds for a number of programs including Water for People’s PlayPumps technology, P&G’s Children's Safe Drinking Water Program, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

During the Sunday’s premiere, viewers will be able to text SEND to 90999 to donate ten dollars to the UN Foundation in the name of “Summit on the Summit.” That small amount will provide one thousand liters of clean water to those who need it most.

“Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro” is a great move by MTV to help their audience realize that there is a world outside of Speidi, Snooki, or any dance crew. Let’s hope that MTV will continue to highlight the real world that doesn’t involve seven strangers that are picked to live in a house.