A trek through Nepal’s Everest region by World Expeditions team member Jess Thomas is highlighting a new way travellers can give back to the destinations they visit.
Before departing on her trek, Ms Thomas created a fundraising page to support the Restoring Learning in Thame project, raising $1,900 from friends, family and supporters to help restore a community computer lab destroyed during the devastating 2024 glacial lake outburst flood.
During her trek, Ms Thomas witnessed both the scale of the damage and the resilience of the local community.
“As we approached Thame, I was confronted by the sheer size of the flood damage. Massive boulders and muddy debris had been scattered across the valley floor. At the same time, there was an incredible sense of activity and determination. It wasn’t a place defined by disaster, it felt like a community focused on recovery and moving forward,” Ms Thomas said.
Through the World Expeditions Foundation’s online portal, travellers can now create personalised fundraising pages, support the organisation’s Regen 2030 projects, share their story with friends and family, and track their progress before they travel.
Gokyo Lakes and the Route to Renjo La Pass
“I was struck by just how eager people were to contribute when they could connect with the story of Thame and understand the impact their donation would have. Travel gives us so much, perspective, connection and unforgettable experiences. Supporting projects like this is a meaningful way to give something back to the communities that make those experiences possible,” Ms Thomas said.
The Restoring Learning in Thame project will help local students regain access to technology and digital learning lost when the flood destroyed the village’s recently established computer lab.
