Leanne Seymour is one of the participants heading to Northern India in October 2023 to Trek for Opportunity. Leanne will be joined a group of passionate supporters who will be trekking the Eastern Himalayas as part of a 10-day trip to raise money for Opportunity International Australia.

When asked why she signed up for the adventure, Leanne had this to say:

“There were so many reasons to take advantage of this incredible opportunity that was being offered. However, the three that stand out to me the most are that is an opportunity to step well and truly out of my comfort zone, experience the culture of one of the most remote parts of the world, and most importantly, to raise funds for Opportunity International Australia and the incredible work that they do to assist women and families living in poverty to generate sustainable income.”

Based in Melbourne, Leanne is the Settlements Manager at RedZed, one of Opportunity’s corporate supporters. RedZed have generously sponsored Leanne to go on this trip.

“RedZed have proudly supported Opportunity since 2019 and are allowing me this once in a lifetime chance to go on this adventure,” said Leanne. “I couldn’t be prouder to represent RedZed, and in turn support Opportunity, to continue with their important work.”

Trek for Opportunity participants are fundraising for Opportunity and asking their friends, family and colleagues to help reach their fundraising target. Leanne has already surpassed her target, raising more than $5,000 so far, and is keen to raise more.

“I think at this stage the fundraising is going better than the training!” said Leanne. “My current network has been incredibly generous and shown unwavering support for myself and the cause.”

With five days of hiking at altitude, participants are also preparing themselves for the physical challenge.

“There will need be a sharp incline in effort in hills training over the coming months, but I’m looking forward to the physical challenge that this presents,” added Leanne.

Leanne was inspired to go on the trek by the work Opportunity does with women in Asia.

“One of the first stories I read when coming to learn of the work that Opportunity do, especially in the microfinance space, was the small loan provided to a woman who has grown up in poverty and wants a better life for her children,” said Leanne.

“She was provided a small loan through Opportunity which has allowed her to start her own business making and selling cakes and become financially independent. As a hobby, I adore baking for people and bringing joy by putting my heart and soul into the things that I bake. I can resonate with the joy that she must have, making a living by sharing her cakes and supporting her family. There must be such a sense of fulfillment and achievement knowing that she is changing the future for her family.”

At the conclusion of the trek, participants will have the chance to meet some of the clients in Varanasi who have received small loans and started their own business and are now supporting their families and making their way out of poverty.

Find out more about the Trek for Opportunity, which is happening again in October 2024.