As you read this, over 150 women from all around the world are channeling their inner adventuress and racing across the Sahara Desert in the annual Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles. It’s a grueling yet empowering event that takes place over a two-week period — it began on March 16th — and, oh, have we mentioned that it’s an off-road race? And that technology — GPS, phones — is off limits?

Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, founder of The Jazmin Fund, is one of those women. The granddaughter of Grace Kelly, Grimaldi is raising money for her charity, which supports impoverished children in Fiji and is managed by the Naqaqa Giving Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to fulfill educational, health and emergency needs for Fijians living in remote villages. She’s doing so alongside racing partner Kiera Chaplin, Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter, and navigating the tricky desert terrain in a four-wheel cruiser, old-school map in hand. (You can follow their progress live here.) Before Grimaldi set off for the race, she took some time out to chat with us about her fund, the rally and how she embraces ambition in her life — outside of a Morocco-bound SUV, that is.

#EmbraceAmbition means…
Grabbing onto and opening oneself to what lies ahead; dreaming big and being driven to challenge ourselves as we fulfill those big dreams; putting thought into action; knowing exactly what you want and maintaining the focus to achieve those life goals; having a voice and using it, and, whether the impact is big or small, making the effort to make a difference. If everyone made an effort, even if just a little each day, their world and the world around them would be better for it. When we let ourselves embrace ambition, no dream is out of reach.

The woman who inspires me to #EmbraceAmbition most…
It’s not just one woman. It is a combination of every woman who has contributed to who I am today. Each one, directly or indirectly, who never told me “I can’t” but rather “I can,” who told me to stay focused and grounded and to work hard because nothing is handed to you, one must earn it every day.

I’m excited to take part in Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles because…
For me, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with a beautiful premise and purpose. It will be an amazing off-road adventure with hundreds of women challenging themselves in the beautiful, exotic Moroccan desert.

I was inspired to start The Jazmin Fund because…
From an early age, I’ve been passionate about volunteering and getting involved in local outreach programs, and always wanted to start my own initiative. In 2006, I was invited to participate in a humanitarian trip to Fiji. After visiting several island villages and meeting many of the locals, I knew that this was a place that I wanted to support and make a difference in.

Our proudest moment…
Being able to raise awareness and provide many items off of the villages’ wish list, things that can often be taken for granted but have a big impact on a community: rain gutters for fresh clean water, prenatal vitamins, desks and school supplies.

And one of the best experiences has been…
Dancing and singing with the kids of Fiji and seeing the excitement on their faces as we introduced their picture to them — through a camera — for the first time!

What’s next for us…
Fiji was hit by the worst cyclone on record in 2016. After seeing how important art is to them and how integral it is to their everyday life, we’re very proud to build the very first art-focused community hall in Fiji’s Naidi Village this summer. We are excited to see all the art produced by the hall and can’t wait to attend the first live community performance.

Follow the Jazmin Fund on Instagram.