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Selina Namchee Lo Trek for Rights

By Selina Namchee Lo

Why I'm fundraising for women and girls in crisis

Next March for my 55 th birthday I have decided to do a five day trek  in New Zealand to raise money and awareness for women and children in conflict zones

There are 614 million women and girls living in conflict affected areas today.
From Palestine to Ukraine, Haiti, Sudan, and Afghanistan, their numbers are going up, as geopolitical conflicts, climate change, health and food crises intensify.

I'm taking part in Trek for Rights 2025 and raising vital funds to help support the efforts of UN Women in partnership with local women’s organisations to provide critical services, hope and a lifeline to women and girls in war-torn countries and communities affected by natural disasters.

As many of you know there have been days in the last few years I can barely walk around the block with my dog because of my diagnosis of POTS dysautonomia. But I am currently well and  my doctors have cleared me for this trip. I’m inspired by the cause and it feels very fitting that thirty years after working in conflict zone of Kabul Afghanistan, and the Thai and Myanmar and Bangladesh borders— after many years of supporting change for women and children in global health — that I pause myself for a few days — and put my feet/legs  and hopefully your money where my mouth is ( normally ) and go for it!

I’m walking for all the amazing women and communities I have met in my life, for those I don’t know — and for the future of their children and ours.

Please support this wonderful cause. It’s tax deductible and all support welcome as I need to raise the amount to have the opportunity to do this challenge. Thank you in advance !

Please Support my Cause

Raised

$6,026

My Goal

$3,000

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My Achievements

My Updates

FIN

Sunday 23rd Mar

Day 5 #thatwanaketree : courage and resilience

Sunday 23rd Mar
Today was our final day! Can’t believe it actually went so fast. We did a hike up through more steps and beautiful floral biodiversity to a view ( see galley ) where we ordered Uber drone coffee ( joke ). We then had lunch and celebrated Ellen’s birthday at a gorgeous park where we finally saw THAT Wanake tree! The tree is a real and tangible symbol of resilience and the innate adaptability of all things living. It is also so maudlinly exquisite and a fitting end symbol of everything this trek represents for me. The courage of all women - those on the trek and those we were fundraising for is foremost in my mind. Women must overcome challenges in their environment - whether through war or climate devastation, changing visibility in the entire reproductive cycle, family circumstances, and periods or chronicity of poor health. Yet the resilient even transilient ( please look this word up by Prof Anna Peeters if you have not heard it before— it is an ecological term meaning to leapfrog through chaos and crisis - to fully transform to another state ) ability to withstand and even thrive through adversity is a very feminine characteristic no matter how narratives like to trope spin us otherwise. I am so grateful to UN women for offering this life affirming opportunity to trek , to the women ( and one man !) in our group, to our gorgeous host Adriana and guides Adrienne and Jeremy who clearly love nature and their amazing country in such a tangible way —. And to all my sponsors friends and family and colleagues among you who have supported my own journey on the way to Wanake to trek in this stunning place. Personally for me, to remember and support all civilian populations in conflict zones through multilateral systems like the UN and global solidarity for peace is so important at this time. I remember Halida the young Hazara Afghan MsF translator in Ghazni Afghanistan in 1996 who had to give up medical school because of the Taliban. I remember Pan LI Li of Guangxi China falsely sold to sex work at age 14 by an uncle saying she would be a waitress — coming back to her hometown with HIV and me not being able to save her in time because there were no treatments at the time in the country. I remember Sabatha our kind and unassuming Rohingya cleaner of the clinics in Maungdaw Northern Rakhine Burma where Rohingya Muslims were severely restricted in their rights. And I pay respect to all First Nations women worldwide continuing to fight the conflict of climate change in their countries and to fight for the rights of nature. Finally, the conflict we have made of the gender wars to try define for others what they want to be and identify themselves as。So many challenges of our times - so little time to make a difference in a positive way for others Perhaps our effort and money this fundraiser are teeny drops in the ocean of chaos — but like THAT Wanake tree and this trek — given small steps in the right direction and the nurture of the sun ( we learnt from Adrienne that “Ora “ in the Maori greeting Kia Ora means to be wishing the essence of life ( or sun ) — we can all in our own way — thrive . Through the support I have seen a complete group of strangers show each other this week - I can confirm this to be true For now nurturing my stiff legs and encouragé you to visit Aotearoa. Thanks for the journey! I will be back !

Hiking around Wanake Day 4

Friday 21st Mar
Woke today with ancient stuff legs ! Today we visited the gorgeous town of Wanake and went up up through a beautiful mostly shaded fern mountain gully over branches and rocks — scrambled over the equivalent of Lion bloody rock 😂 following the fast group — and then when at the top ( see image ) were told by Adrienne to come back down !!! Today the uphill downhill was easier only because no steps and Belinda was teaching me how to do “ski walk simulations “ downhill ! Using Clare’s ointment on my quads , Carolyn’s advice to double sock and Belinda’s advice to tie my laces up tighter — helped ! Pics in gallery below

Walking with dysautonomia- we can do it!

Thursday 20th Mar
Here with the inspirational Tracey Spicer award winning writer who was my inspiration for signing up to this trek . Like me Tracey has dysautonomia- which is a blessing in disguise because it makes you appreciate every step and every moment you can be healthy, upright and doing well. I have lived with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia for four years now It was pre my having Covid and came on during the year of lockdown. It generally meant I had periods especially over summers where I was sofa bound I have found that training for this trek has helped me enjoy summer again even if it means I had to change how to exercise and when to go out I’m so grateful to my colleagues, my drs ( the ones who get it not the ones who dismiss all things they have not understood themselves ) and friends and family who have been supportive and patient while I worked things out and learnt myself how best to manage Not all days are good and there are still days I spend with symptoms but as someone living with a so called “invisible “ illness I wish that we are more visible so that management and treatments can improve with resources and support I am grateful today to Tracey who gave me the idea of electrolytes in my water bag which was a game changer ! I think I’m hooked … not on mountains perhaps 🤣 but certainly walking for my well-being and longevity !

Day one was WET

Thursday 20th Mar
Omg What a way to start trek for rights ! All day wet on Mt somers woodshed hut trek I was feeling virtuous by lunch as almost the sole dry boot survivor and then …. Two river crossings drenched First my right then my left boot leaving me swimming in fish bowl soup shoes all way back ! An adventure and fun ! And I’m walking with an amazing group of women ( and one man !) ! Thank you for your support

Day 2 Hooker valley track

Thursday 20th Mar
Today was a sharp contrast to Day one - sun - heat and three suspension bridges ( my dread ) which we crossed twice each ! But the views despite the crowded paths were stunning Thank you so much for your support

Day 3 Made it up the Mt Aoraki Sealy Tarns

Thursday 20th Mar
Thank you so much for all your sponsorship !!! It’s Day 3 we are half way through and I made it today to 55 years old ( pic in galley below ) and up the Sealy Tarns mountain Aoraki I am not sure if my legs will function tomorrow but it was HARD and worth it It is wonderful to walk with amazing women supporting UN women fundraising Every women ; and one man here are supportive, in solidarity and so generous and kind They brought me a surprise birthday wish and cake for the morning It’s been amazing so far - even the intense rain on day one ! See you soon

Thank You

$552

Peter Chiong

Admire the passion, keep within your limits 👍

$520

Anonymous

$214.17

Rob Moodie

love your work Selina!!!!

$211

The Lachals

Love u to moon and back

$211

Martin Taylor

$211

Anonymous

$200

David Mccoy

Remember to look where you're walking. Don't fall over.

$158.25

Cathy V

Go Selina!

$156.45

Anonymous

Love your work and passion. All the best

$150

Suman & Elly

$129.77

Suerie Moon

Happy birthday and congrats on your determination to conquer every mountain! You're an inspiration!!

$129.77

Edgar Demuth

Great event and great cause. Go, Selina!

$129.77

Jo Crookes

Go you good thing!

$129.77

Karly C

Well done Selina, very inspiring. Loved the blog too :)

$129.77

Hayley Jones

Great stuff Selina! Go well.

$106.12

Ands

Happy birthday Selina! You are a legend!!!

$106.12

Mark Summers

Congratulations on getting to the line. I wasn’t sure u were going to make it early on, but when u told me that u were enjoying the 1000 steps - I knew u were serious. Well done for taking on the challenge.

$106.12

Esther & Garry

Well done Selina! So proud of you.

$105.50

Sandro Demaio

$105.50

Anonymous

$105.50

Selina Namchee Lo

$100

Fiona Curry

$100

Melody Ding

Hi lovely, good luck!

$100

Tao Cai

Wish a good trip

$100

Emma And Gordon

Go Selina! XX

$88

Joe Tucker

LOVE THIS! You rock.

$88

Herb Harwell

Onward Selina!

$80.25

Anita D'aprano

Love you!

$80.25

Becky And Olivier

You can do it!

$80.25

Greta Ishak

Amazing work Selina! So proud of you for you training and efforts leading up to this ❤️❤️

$79.13

Anna Q

Inspiring!

$79.13

Jane Greig

Love that this is how you have chosen to mark a milestone. May your steps be as bountiful as your heart!

$79.13

Bee

You can do this!

$75

Louise Randall

Go Selina!

$75

Lorraine Pereira

Good luck Selina! Love your compassion and determination. You’ve got this!

$54.12

Aly Hu

I had no idea! That's incredible Selina :)

$54.12

Matt

You go Selina Nam Chee!

$54.12

Kim Loo

Best of luck. It looks amazing.

$52.92

Nick Chapman

$52.75

Melissa Wong

Great work Selina, as always!

$52.75

Corinne Ang

You go girl!

$52.75

Anonymous

$50

Anonymous

You’ll definitely deserve to put your feet up after this!! Xx

$50

Chatu Yapa

All the best Selina!! You got this!! Xx chatu

$43.60

Anonymous

Go Selina! You’re such a strong woman helping others and what a daunting and rewarding personal challenge!!

$41.38

Zoe Mullan

Go Selina! You can do it! xxx

$41.38

Negaya Chorley

So proud of you. Deeply inspiring!

$41.38

Piyali Somaia

$41.38

Ruby

Congrats on completing the walk and you should be so proud of you accomplishment!! Glad to have played a very small part with helping you get strong 💪

$40.09

Anonymous

Go Selina! You are incredible :) Saf xx

$38

Lai Heng Foong

Power to you Selina! What a great cause!

$38

Marie Lamy

This is inspirational Selina, such an important cause.

$38

Rg

For women and girls… and for peace!

$36.27

Alison Stewart

Sorry about the NZ weather Selina, hope it dries out. And well done to you all xxx

$22.58

Esther Schroeder

$21.10

Meru Sheel

My best always x

$20

Carol Ransley

$18

Shuai Shao

Rock on Selina!! Catch up soon in Melbourne. You are a true inspiration!xx