What inspired you to work for your organization?
The inspiration to start and work for Trek Relief came from a deeply personal and life-changing experience. In 2016, I traveled to Nepal for the first time—just one year after the devastating 2015 earthquake that took the lives of over 9,000 people and left many communities in ruin. I arrived in Langtang Valley, a village that had been completely buried by a landslide triggered by the quake, and I was profoundly moved by both the heartbreak and the resilience I encountered.
Trek Relief was born out of that desire: to #TravelWithPurpose, to build programs that support environmental regeneration and community development, and to empower people—both travelers and locals—to be part of something transformative. I was inspired not just by the need I saw, but by the potential I saw: the potential for community-led initiatives, for reciprocal partnerships, and for travelers to return home forever changed—not only by the landscapes they trekked through, but by the people they met and the shared work they did together.
Reaching the summit of Pikey Peak, our mission was clear: build, connect, and rise together.
What advice would you give your pre-travel self?
“Stay open, stay curious, and trust that the discomfort is part of the growth.”
I’d remind myself that the most meaningful connections are built not through grand gestures, but through shared meals, laughter despite language barriers, and rolling up your sleeves to work side by side. Some of the most transformative lessons I’ve learned came from moments of quiet observation—watching how a community gathers, solves problems, or honors the land.
Why should someone choose Trek Relief over competitors?
Trek Relief is more than an adventure travel company—it’s a platform for purpose-driven impact and transformational experiences. What truly sets us apart is that we empower individual travelers to make a difference, whether by joining a trip, becoming a Trip Leader, or creating their own impactful, adventurous fundraising program. We provide the structure, support, and community for people to step into leadership and align their passion for travel with meaningful action.
Unlike many other volunteer travel or eco-tourism organizations, we don’t offer pre-packaged volunteerism or one-size-fits-all trips. Instead, we co-create every program with our local partners to ensure projects are community-led, environmentally conscious, and designed for long-term impact. When you travel with us, you’re not just visiting a place—you’re contributing to its future in a way that is grounded in respect, collaboration, and mutual learning.
Solar panels for orphanages in Peru—lighting the way for brighter futures.
What is your organization's mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?
At Trek Relief, our mission is to empower people to #TravelWithPurpose—supporting environmental stewardship, community resilience, and conscious leadership through service-based adventure travel. We connect passionate individuals with meaningful projects around the world, working hand-in-hand with local partners to regenerate ecosystems, uplift communities, and co-create a more beautiful, just, and connected world.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
More than anything, I hope our participants leave with a deeper connection—to the world, to others, and to themselves.
Trek Relief is intentionally designed to be more than just an adventure or volunteer opportunity. It’s a space for transformation. I hope each person walks away feeling a sense of purpose that extends far beyond the trip itself—knowing that their presence mattered, their efforts contributed to something lasting, and that they are part of a global community committed to positive change.
I hope they come home with a broader perspective, having witnessed both the beauty and the complexity of the communities and ecosystems we serve. We don’t shy away from the hard truths—whether it’s environmental degradation, post-disaster recovery, or cultural erosion—but we also don’t frame these challenges in a way that centers despair. Instead, we invite our participants to recognize the strength, wisdom, and agency that already exist in these places—and to see their role as allies and collaborators, not saviors.
Delivering warmth to families in Kavre, we stood together in the face of adversity.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Experiencing new cultures helps us remember that there is no single “right” way to live. It expands our perspective and builds compassion. In today’s interconnected world, that kind of understanding is more important than ever. It makes us more responsible citizens, more conscious leaders, and more kind-hearted humans.
But travel, especially international travel, also carries a responsibility. It’s important that we don’t just consume culture—we engage with it respectfully and reciprocally. That’s why all of our programs are rooted in relationship, not charity. We work hand-in-hand with local leaders to ensure our presence supports community-led initiatives and honors cultural integrity.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is about connection, reciprocity, and transformation. It’s not just about where you go—it’s about how you show up, who you meet, and what you carry with you afterward. It’s about allowing yourself to be changed by a place, and contributing something of value in return.
Meaningful travel invites us to move beyond tourism and into a relationship with the land, with people, with culture, and with ourselves. It asks us to listen more than we speak, to approach each moment with curiosity and humility, and to recognize the deep responsibility we hold as travelers. When done with intention, travel becomes a sacred act of exchange.
At Trek Relief, we’ve built our entire organization around this belief. Every journey is rooted in service and co-creation. Whether we’re restoring mountain trails with community members in Nepal or building regenerative gardens in Patagonia, we are always asking: Are we in the right relationship with this place and its people? Are we leaving it better, and are we letting it change us in ways that matter?