A Humans of the Tribe ‘International Women's Day Special’ - The Women of A Sonic Adventure.

In nearly 50 years on this planet, I have never written anything for International Women's Day. Or wanted to. And until recently, I'm not sure I could have told you why.

My mum left home when I was really young and I grew up with my dad so naturally, I was always more comfortable around men. Being around women felt weirdly challenging, and for years I couldn't quite work out why. As I got older and wiser, it made sense.

Then, at 19, I left the UK to go travelling and soon after I met two women who changed everything. Helen and Ness. We all live in different parts of the world now, so we barely see each other, but for the last 30 years I’ve always known that if the shit hit the fan tomorrow, they would drop the world and be there for me. I know, because they have. 

When I came back to the UK years later, I started working at the local newspaper in Kent. An office. A group of women. On paper, my idea of hell. It was anything but. Six women of different ages, from different backgrounds, all working together in a high pressure environment (this was long before social media, when newspapers were still buzzing!) - and they took me in. I was the wild one. They never judged. They were there for me then, and they are still there for me now, through everything. The ones I turn to, always. I’ve got each of their initials tattooed on my arm in newspaper print!

So here I am - almost 50 - writing my first ever International Women's Day piece. And it feels right that it's this one. Because when I look at the group of women about to join us for A Sonic Adventure in Nepal, I now know what it means when women show up for each other and I know the kind of magic that happens when they come together.

Usually, Humans of the Tribe is about one person, one story or one moment that stayed with me. But as I've been preparing for our biggest experience ever, I keep looking at the list of women joining us and thinking - every single one of them deserves this spotlight. Some I know well. Some I haven't met yet. But every one of them is arriving with a story that matters - and showing up for girls that matter.

The Girls Who Started It All

At the centre of everything we're doing in Nepal is the Girls Empowerment Program (GEP). Their motto says it all: Empower the girl. Change the world.

Through education, mentorship and leadership training, GEP supports girls aged 14 to 19 in rural Nepal - equipping them with the confidence, the skills and the voice to challenge the discrimination they face every day.

Girls like Laxmi Rijal, who was once one of the quietest in her group - too unsure of herself to speak up in public. Through the programme, Laxmi was trusted with presenting a memorandum to a provincial government minister. Her hands were shaking, she was sweating - but she stood there, spoke clearly, and handed it over. She said afterwards that she never believed she could do something like that.

Girls like Kopila Mahato, who stood strong for her family when floodwaters swept through her village and now serves as Treasurer of the Municipal Youth Network, advocating for disaster preparedness directly with elected officials.

Girls like Siwani Sapkota - who, during her school holidays, walked into a school she'd never been to, convinced the principal to let her run a session, and then single-handedly trained 98 students on conflict, violence and personal safety. She was 16.

Or Shiriska Adhikari, whose advocacy led to real funding for menstrual hygiene training in her community.

These are not abstract success stories. These are real girls, in real communities, creating real change. And they are the reason we're going to Nepal.

And then there's Rejina Gharti Magar.

Rejina is a global youth leader, a peer educator, and one of the most inspiring young women I've ever met. I first met her when Jonny and I visited Nepal for the Sonic Adventure recce back in October 2025 - and before we knew it, we were on her YouTube show! That's the kind of energy she has. Magnetic, confident, completely herself.

It was a difficult period in my own life and sitting there, listening to her speak - the courage, the clarity, the way she holds a room - something changed in me. After years of working across developing countries, I've become a little hardened to the emotional side of those environments. But Rejina broke straight through it.

In that moment, listening to this young woman talk about the power of women, of believing in yourself and the change one woman can create in the world, I found a new level of strength that I hadn't felt before and I'll always be grateful to her for that. 

Rejina is set for truly great things and her place on the world stage isn't just deserved, it's desperately needed. She'll be joining us on the experience, and I can't wait for the other women, and men, in the group to meet her.

Ann Daniels - The Explorer

I haven't yet met Ann but last year, I was lucky enough to climb Kilimanjaro with her son, Joey. He was part of my team, and he brought the most incredible energy to the group - positive, strong, and really good fun to be around. Through Joey, we heard the extraordinary story of his mum.

Ann made history as part of the first all-women teams to walk to both the North and South Poles and has led scientific expeditions working with NASA and The European Space Agency. 

Let that settle for a second.

I’m in awe that Ann will be joining us in Nepal. To have her walking alongside us, sharing her story, bringing that same energy that her son brought to Kilimanjaro. Yes please! To have Joey joining us again too, is the cherry on the top. 

Alice and Hannah - The Women Behind The Tribe

Some of the women on this journey are so deeply woven into the fabric of The Tribe that I can't imagine any of this without them.

Alice Maturin-Baird has been my right-hand woman for years. She takes the constant stream of ideas that come out of my head - sometimes chaotic, sometimes ambitious, often both - and somehow shapes them into something beautiful, engaging and meaningful. She is single-handedly responsible for the creative output across all Tribe channels and I don't know where I'd be without her.

Hannah Miles first joined a Tribe Uganda experience back in 2022, where she met Alice for the first time - along with two other incredible solo travellers, Beth and Kristina. Together, in November ’23, Hannah, Beth and Kristina climbed Kilimanjaro. So when it came to The Tribe x LNADJ Kilimanjaro Experience 18 months later, having Hannah on board was a no-brainer and she quickly became someone we couldn't have done it without. She made sure all 50 climbers experienced the mountain safely, becoming an invaluable part of the team - but if she ever sends me another spreadsheet it’ll be too soon! It goes without say, she’ll be back with us in Nepal as part of the Sonic Adventure project team.

Alongside everything they've given to The Tribe, Alice and Hannah have also created their own platform - Female Explorers - running experiences designed specifically to empower women through adventure. Watching them build something of their own, while also pouring so much into The Tribe, is testament to the women they are. 

The Tribe Family

The first time I met Sarah Diamond was on our Zanzibar Experience in December '23, which she joined with her gorgeous family and some friends. She then joined the Uganda experience in November '24, where she met two first-time Tribe guests and solo travellers - Eloise Bleu and Leanne Griffin. The three of them became firm friends almost immediately, and between them they've collectively raised thousands of pounds for the One Love Project. I haven't yet met Eloise and Leanne in person, but I know how close the three of them have become, and I can't wait to share this experience together. 

This year is extra special for Sarah and me - we both turn 50 later in the year. Also celebrating half a century with us this year is my longest friend Layla, who I was at primary school with and who stole my 'wild' crown many years ago! Layla met Sarah on our Zanzibar experience and the three of us will celebrate our special birthdays together on The Tribe Boats in Ibiza, with all our special people, just a few weeks before we head to Nepal. I feel very lucky to be able to celebrate this special year for all of us, with them. 

Jade Nutton climbed Kilimanjaro with us and was my right-hand woman in an otherwise all-male team. She brought the most incredible energy, humour and heart to that climb - and I can't wait to feel that Jade energy again in the Himalayas - and see her face when she realises she can get a beer on route this time! 

Joanna Mary showed extraordinary determination on that mountain. She was the final member of our team to summit, but she made it. And when she reached the final post after the descent, the cheers were the loudest of the entire trip. It will be a joy to be around that kind of grit and determination again. 

New Faces, Shared Energy

We'll also be joined by several incredible women I'm meeting for the first time, that are coming to us through our brilliant friends and supporters, at The Live Crew.

Jaz House is a festival site manager for some of the UKs largest festivals. Responsible for building entire temporary cities for hundreds of thousands of people, year after year.

Abigail Matthews is a highly respected structural engineer in the events industry. Her daughter Florence (Flo) Lewis is an emerging freelance professional in the industry and Shona Argue, Operations Coordinator at The Live Crew, brings more brilliant youthful energy to the experience.

Victoria is a lung cancer nurse and another Live Crew mum joining us for the experience. Her son George was such a special member of our Kilimanjaro team, and knowing what his mum does for a living tells me everything I need to know about where that warmth comes from. I can't wait to meet her - and to share another experience with George.

Amber D - Music, Resilience and Soul

Amber D is a long-established UK electronic music DJ, producer, label owner and educator who's been part of the scene for over 20 years. She came up through the UK hard house scene in the early 2000s, becoming one of the leading female DJs in that world.

She's also classically trained, studied music technology, and is deeply involved in mentoring and teaching DJs - particularly young people and girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. She’s taught DJ skills to vulnerable youth, supported projects in Sierra Leone, and is a passionate advocate for mental health in the music industry.

Amber has worked closely with Last Night A DJ Saved My Life for many years, performing the record breaking ‘Set For Love’ - a 90-hour solo DJ livestream on Twitch. Ninety hours. No sleep. Nothing chemical to keep her awake! Her set is widely regarded as one of the longest solo DJ livestreams ever done and she represents everything this experience is about: old-school party culture, education, mentoring, charity, community, and serious mental strength.

Kam and Vanessa - Building This Dream Together

DJ, dancer and Last Night A DJ Saved My Life trustee, Kam, joined us on the Sonic Adventure recce in Nepal last October. It was the first time we'd met, and we spent two incredible weeks exploring the country together - meeting the girls of GEP and beginning to shape what this whole experience could become. Having Kam there during that recce experience and knowing she will be back alongside me for the real one, is precious to me.

Vanessa Bourke lives in Nepal and also joined us for part of the recce experience. She has helped us secure the most unbelievable location for our closing celebration. Up in the hills, overlooking Nepal's second biggest city - beautiful Pokhara. I can’t wait to see the faces on our guests when they see the spot. I’ve been lucky enough to party in some incredible locations around the world, but wait ’til you see this one!

The Music Matters Too

Empowerment doesn't always have to be serious. Sometimes it should be pure magic and fun. Sometimes it should be a dance-floor under the stars, turning to your side and smiling at another woman who has found her own courage and strength to be there, smiling back at you.

And of course - because this is a Tribe x Last Night A DJ Saved My Life experience - there will be music. Lots of it. Because while this journey is about empowerment, leadership and community, it's also about joy. It's also about celebration. 

So many of the women on this trip come from the events and festival world - a world where I've spent so much of my life. A world where we're used to gathering thousands of people together to celebrate life, music and connection.

There'll be moments of reflection. Moments of learning. And yes - moments where we'll absolutely dance our hearts out under the moon and the stars. Under the Nepalese sky, beside one of the highest glacial lakes on earth, we'll come together - extraordinary women from completely different worlds, with completely different stories - standing, walking and dancing alongside one another.

One Last Thing

I started this piece talking about my mum leaving, and the journey that led me to the incredible women I'm surrounded by today. But I want to say something about her too.

My mum and I have a wonderful relationship today. And as I've got older, I've come to understand that what she did took immense courage. Life is complicated, and the choices women face are rarely simple. She showed strength in ways I didn't understand as a child but deeply respect as an adult. And maybe, without even realising it, she gave me the courage that has shaped everything I do now.

So this International Women's Day, this Humans of the Tribe special belongs to every woman on this journey.

To the explorers. The leaders. The mothers. The dreamers. 

To Helen, Ness and the six women marked on my arm.

To my mum.

And most importantly - to the girls of the Girls Empowerment Program.

Because the future belongs to them.

Empower the girl. Change the world.

Emily ✨