4 Life Lessons from IRUSA’s Peru Challenge

We reflect on a life-changing expedition for a life-changing cause

1

“The goal is not simply for you to cross the finish line, but to see how many people you can inspire to run with you.” 
― Simon Sinek

If we told you we could bring strangers half-way around the world to climb endlessly and walk on the edge of cliffs all while depending on each other just so we could support life-saving water projects, would you believe us? In the beginning there were doubts about what, when, and how it would even happen but the Peru challenge did what all IRUSA challenges have been successful at doing, it brought people together when it mattered most.

2

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” 
― Nelson Mandela

Being suspended countless feet in the air was on the menu as well. And as you can see, once the fear of falling fades, you realize that conquering fear is just a process we all can take part in. Many portion of the challenge featured some sort of seemingly insane obstacle, but the impact it had on the friends and family who donated can’t be measured in dollars. Watching someone go above and beyond will never not be inspiring.

3

“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.”
– Muhammad Ali

The bonds created during the Peru challenge are an integral part of what makes these engagements more than special. For days on end the challengers were forced to look to one another for strength, security, inspiration and joy. One of IRUSA’s key values is custodianship. Peru saw strangers arrive, and then saw friends for a lifetime leave committed to caring for each other.

4

“It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affection: that you may give thanks (to Allah)”

(An-Nahl, 16:78).

If there was anything that stuck out most among challengers when the trip was all said and done, it was gratitude. Participants felt gratitude for the experience of a lifetime and the opportunity find courage that hadn’t found until they were tested. But most of all, they were grateful to be able to take a dynamic approach to giving one of the most precious gifts in this world, water.