World Expeditions Foundation donates an extra $17.4K to local ground crew

World Expeditions’ adventure community have done it again with an additional $17,400 (AUD) set to be distributed to local partners in Myanmar, Mongolia, Ethiopia, India and Sri Lanka.

As part of World Expeditions' continued support for communities affected by the pandemic, the funds were raised thanks to its generous supporters who rallied behind the ‘Grants4Ground Staff’ and ‘Lend A Hand’ campaigns. Our partners in each country identify the beneficiaries considering who was most impacted by the global pandemic that bought tourism to a stand still.

Tim Macartney-Snape, director of the World Expeditions Foundation, extends his thanks: “A massive thank you to all the donors and our loyal community of travellers who backed these campaigns."

The USD$100 grants received by ground staff are a helpful safety net, especially for recipients in areas where they are solely dependent on income from travel and tourism.

BREAKDOWN OF DISTRUBUTION

• Myanmar >> USD50 grants to 8 staff and USD100 grants to 16 staff made up of tuktuk drivers, home stay providers, boat drivers, kitchen staff, horse cart drivers
• Mongolia >>USD100 grants to 20 staff made up of chefs, guides, bus drivers, bike mechanics, booking manager and logistics manager
• Ethiopia >> USD100 grants to 10 guides
• India >> USD150 grants to 15 staff made up of guides, kitchen staff and horseman
• Sri Lanka >> USD100 to 6 guides and office staff

A further $3500 is earmarked for ground crew in Pakistan, to be distributed shortly.
 
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC

First launched in 2020, these campaigns have raised close to $100,000 (AUD) under its not-for-profit entity, World Expeditions Foundation, greatly aiding local ground staff and their families who are still struggling in the current climate. 

World Expeditions and its travellers continue to be a force in supporting communities in delivering local employment, friendship, and fostering cultural tolerance, as highlighted in its Thoughtful Travel Charter. 

Read on below to see how the funds will support its recipients and how you can still help. 

Who will the funds support? 

For destinations like Myanmar, where our past travellers have had some incredible experiences, the pause on travel remains steadfast due to ongoing upheavals making trips inoperable. In areas such as Sri Lanka, our longstanding operator has been experiencing hardships due to political unrest and these funds will help aid the team on the ground. 

A traveller favourite, Mongolia, has seen a very slow uptake since its borders reopened, with the donations set to greatly help the ground staff, especially in the remote areas we operate in.

Among the crippling factors are the soaring inflation prices and the shy intake of overseas travellers heading to certain destinations such as Pakistan’s remote Karakoram ranges and the Indian Himalaya, despite borders being open. This has therefore left guides, porters and cooking staff out of work. 

As their hardships ensue, coupled with the impacts of Covid, the generosity of supporters will see these additional funds go far to help these communities affected. 

David Thomas, one of our Mt Kilimanjaro porters sent a handwritten thank-you note to the World Expeditions team and donors from the initial ‘Lend A Hand’ Appeal: 

From the bottom of our heart we say thank you very much. Know that it’s really touched [and] blessed our family… This is not small, it for us [is a] blessing and more than a donation to us.

African guide, Kessy, also sent his thanks writing: “Most of my fellow workers were in very [a] bad situation in the pandemic, so what we got today from you, World Expeditions and the donors, is more than we expected. So we would like to thank each and everyone who contributed for us.” 

Want to help? 

As the world gradually opens, it's encouraging to see so many of our popular international destinations welcoming visitors again. However, it will still be a while before we see numbers return to pre-pandemic times. 

To continue to support our cause, you can: 

→ Make a donation

If you would like to assist World Expeditions’ ground crew who are still affected by the pandemic, you can make a donation to the Grants4Ground Staff campaign. 100 per cent of the funds will reach to the intended donors, with no admin fees withheld. 

Donate now

→ Join the World Expeditions Foundation’s ‘Climb for Kozi’ Charity Challenge 

Trek in solidarity to Australia’s highest mountain in support of the ground crew in need. You’ll help raise funds in the process, making your adventure go towards a worthy cause.

Read about the 2022 climb where Australian mountaineering royalty, Tim Macartney-Snape joined supporters on the challenging trek.

View Charity Challenge

→ Jump on an adventure holiday 

One of the best ways to support our local crew is to join an adventure. Partnering with local operators and hiring local guides and leaders, World Expeditions sees its traveller’s dollars investing in these local economies. 

It’s a fantastic way to give back to the communities you visit and better spread out the impacts of tourism on the destination.

Find your adventure

Published 15 June 2022.