Thelma & Louise Australia (T&LA) is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation which raises funds to advance the health, education and social welfare of women, young people and children in Australia and other countries, including in Nepal.
We've continued to support the village of Baseri in Nepal where the Community Centre has been well-used. In 2018 we've funded a literacy course for women and an advanced sewing course for those who trained in 2017. The Community Centre is used for other training and meetings like the AGM of the Sherang Jyo Agriculture Cooperative which is flourishing.
A new Community Centre was completed in 2017 in Baseri village with funding provided by T&LA. Villagers provided volunteer labour and were overseen by a skilled worker who stayed in the village and an engineer who visited regularly. The centre was officially opened in November 2017 when representatives of T&LA and T&LN attended an event where the keys were ceremoniously handed over to Baseri community leaders.
Four participants went on a fund-raising expedition to Nepal in November 2017. Two of the team had health/medical skills and health checks were conducted in the village.
We continue to sponsor children to complete their schooling, support two additional school teachers and fund T&LN to purchase school learning equipment and materials.
In November, 11 women graduated from a six-month course which trained them to design and sew clothes and other items. Women are now producing and selling items locally and we are hoping to find overseas markets.
T&LA continues to organize expeditions where women of all ages, races, religion and background go on an adventure. On our expeditions women learn from each other, push limits, expand tolerance, gain more passion for life and have fun while they are raising funds.
Upcoming expedition:
The next fundraising expedition is in 2019 when the adventure is to take six teams of three women (two to ride and one to be the support person in an accompanying van) to ride motorcycles in the Lower Mustang ValleyPast expeditions and fundraising:
Sponsorship:
Members and supporters arrange direct monthly debits to our bank account – Westpac Community Solutions Account no. 512 396; BSB: 034 167 - to sponsor either school children or teachers.
We support seven children to complete their education – school fees, accommodation, uniforms, food etc - and fund the salary of two teachers in the Baseri School. The government supplies only four teachers and the community contributes to pay an additional two teachers: eight all together.
Events:
Members take the initiative to organize events that bring people together and also raise funds. We have had film nights, barbeques, dance nights, dinners, auctions, raffles, theatre evenings, breakfasts . . . any idea that members can create.
Expeditions:
Expeditions provide the bulk of our funding.
Business Sponsorship:
Many businesses have supported us by donating such things as prizes to be auctioned, equipment, vehicles, web design, raffle prizes, T-shirts, accommodation.
We welcome new sponsors and recognize your support through the website, social media and local media items which report on our activities.
T&LA was initially named Thelma & Louise Expeditions. It began in 2006 when two women enjoyed an adventure – travelling from Darwin to Broome – while they raised funds for Ruth’s Women’s Shelter which supports women in Cairns, Australia.
In recent years T&LA has grown, diversified its fundraising activities and gained registration with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission.
It raises funds to support:
Members of T&L Australia pay a $25 annual fee.
Funds are also raised through direct donations, sponsoring of women and children, raffles, film nights, auctions, dinners, theatre nights, barbeques . . . and any other method members come up with.
100% of all funds raised goes directly to groups in need
ZERO administration fees.
Thelma & Louise Nepal (T&LN) is our sister organisation, created in June 2015 after the terrible earthquakes on 25 April and 12 May 2015. T&LA moved quickly to hold fund-raising events and sent over $20,000 to Nepal for immediate relief in ten villages.
Thelma & Louise France are also great supporters, undertaking various activities to raise funds.
In 2006 two girlfriends embarked on a journey to the Kimberleys in Western Australia to experience a fun-filled adventure. The outcome was a better understanding of cultural differences, team work, an appreciation of the wilderness and strengthening of their friendship. From sharing their experience by word of mouth and film, money was raised for Ruths Womens Shelter. Due to an overwhelming response and interest in the whole idea of two girls getting away from it all, "Thelma & Louise Expeditions" was born.
On expeditions, everyone 'chips in' and participates in the day to day organization, chores and responsibilities. Everyone needs to be prepared to "rough it" a little.
The journeys are ones of laughter, love, adventure and a lot of storytelling. With care, tolerance and respect we reflect on our perceptions of each traveller's journey through life's phases. They are about widening our horizons, stretching our boundaries, going where we have never been and doing what we have never done. Whether it be sitting under the stars, cooking on a camp fire, undertaking a 4WD creek crossing, biking, going down a French canal, climbing a mountain in Nepal or bathing in a creek.
In early 2017, we changed our name from Thelma & Louise Expeditions to Thelma & Louise Australia to complement Thelma & Louise Nepal and Thelma & Louise France. We still raise funds through undertaking expeditions and also use a range of other methods to raise funds for women and children.
In 2016 three groups of women - 20 all together - responded to the invitation to “Experience Brittany as a Local!”
We raised $20,000 which went towards building the Community Centre in Baseri, Nepal.
We welcome new sponsors and recognize your support through the website, social media and local media items which report on our activities.
