Country number 21 was Rwanda, and it was truly a life-changing experience. For decades, seeing gorillas in the wild was a dream of mine, and to actually make it happen was nothing short of magical. We hiked into the jungle and encountered a family of 19 gorillas, including 3 silverbacks. The entire experience was surreal and beyond words.

A special thanks to Volcanoes Safaris for making this possible. Their reputation as #1 in Rwanda is well-deserved, and Virunga Lodge is one of the best places we’ve ever stayed—it’s an unforgettable experience in itself.

Another incredibly inspiring part of our time in Rwanda was meeting a guide who works with teenage mothers who have been cast out of their villages. He provides them with shelter, food, and education, and at the end of each year, he tries to give every girl a sewing machine to help them build a future. We’ve committed to making sure every girl gets a sewing machine, and if you’d like to help, please visit rejectaverage.com/rwanda. It’s an incredible cause that’s making a real difference.