BERN, Switzerland (MindaNews / 23 August) — Thomas Kellenberger, the Swiss who started a foundation for children in the Philippines, will have completed one year of his fundraising walk from …
BERN, Switzerland — Thomas Kellenberger, the Swiss who started a foundation for children in the Philippines, will have completed one year of his fundraising walk from Switzerland to the Philippines on Thursday, August 25, 2022.
From Tashkent, Kellenberger will fly to the city of Leh, the capital of Indian-administered Ladakh region, then he will walk the next 1.5 months to Nepal where his target arrival will be in mid-October. “It’s amazing what the walking does to the body. My body has adjusted well and has become used to the walking,” said Kellenberger, who averages from 40 to 45 kilometers a day on flatland.
“I was sick for five days and lost a lot of weight and the owner of the homestay got me medical help from a doctor,” said There remain many stretches when Kellenberger walks alone. “At the Bartang valley and in the Tajik National Park, I was walking all alone for around 140 kilometers, there were no houses to see and except for some shepherds, I did not meet any people for many days. There was also no internet,” he said.
He said that in warm weather, he carries a lighter load of only 16 kilos, preferring to give away his used set of clothes or worn shoes to others who need them along the way. With food and water, his backpack only weighs up to 20 kilos.