How our clients’ generosity helped fund two new classrooms in Sagaing
On 28 March 2025, a devastating earthquake struck central Myanmar near Mandalay, with Sagaing among the regions most severely affected.
In the days that followed, The Ultimate Travel Company launched an appeal to support communities we have known and worked with for many years. The response from our clients and friends was extraordinary.
Together, more than £16,000 was raised, with The Ultimate Travel Company matching every donation received.
Those funds have supported the construction of two new classrooms at a monastic school in Sagaing, providing a safe and lasting learning environment for local children while the wider community continues to recover.
Donors have also been recognised through a commemorative plaque at the school, creating a lasting reminder of the support provided by clients and friends of The Ultimate Travel Company during a time of great hardship.
For many of us at The Ultimate Travel Company, Myanmar holds a particular place in our history. It was once an important part of our portfolio, and over the years we built close relationships with local guides, doctors, families and communities across the country.
Among them is Dr HlaTun, a local physician and long-standing friend of The Ultimate Travel Company. In previous years, with the generosity of clients who travelled with us to Myanmar, we were able to support a number of medical programmes, including the construction of an additional wing at Bagan hospital.
This latest project continues that relationship of trust and practical support. The two new classrooms in Sagaing are a tangible result of what can be achieved when our travelling community comes together in support of a destination in need.
To everyone who contributed, thank you. Your generosity helped turn an urgent appeal into something lasting, practical and deeply appreciated.
The original appeal
When the appeal was first launched, Nick Van Gruisen wrote to clients and friends of The Ultimate Travel Company asking for support in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.
His original message is preserved below as a record of the appeal and the pledge made at the time.
As many of you will know, Myanmar was once a key part of our portfolio. During those years, I had the privilege of working closely with Dr HlaTun, a local physician who became a good friend not only to me, but to many of our clients too.
Thanks to his expertise and energy, combined with the generosity of our guests who visited the country, we were able to support a number of medical programmes over the years, including the construction of an additional wing at Bagan hospital.
After the earthquake of 28 March 2025, I was in touch with Dr HlaTun to offer help. He confirmed that funds were urgently needed, and he has since been working hard to support relief efforts on the ground.
From 18 to 21 May 2025, he travelled through Mandalay, Sagaing and Nay Pyi Daw to deliver essential supplies and assess the needs of affected communities. These were early steps in what was always going to be a much larger response.
At the time, Dr HlaTun outlined several ways in which support could make a practical difference. These included the construction of a reinforced concrete building that could house monks or nuns, or serve as classrooms for local students, as well as essential supplies for displaced families, including cooking pots, stoves, water containers, mosquito nets, dry food and blankets.
The Ultimate Travel Company pledged to match donations whenever reasonably possible, and that commitment remains at the heart of this appeal.
I, Dr HlaTun and everyone in Myanmar are incredibly grateful for any donation, however large or small. Your support is deeply appreciated.
Thank you.
With warmest wishes,
Nick Van Gruisen
Director
The Ultimate Travel Company
Further support
The Myanmar Earthquake Appeal has already helped fund the construction of two new classrooms at a monastic school in Sagaing, thanks to the generosity of our clients and friends.
We are not actively fundraising through this page, but if you would like to make an anonymous donation in support of ongoing recovery efforts in Myanmar, please contact us directly.
