Program Reviews

In March 2015, I went to Ecuador with my school to build water filters. The trip was incredible and by far one of my favorites. I have travelled to 31 different countries but never have I had an experience like this one. We were able to see the city and the rural area of Ecuador. Before we began to put in the water filter, we went to the school we were building it for. We were able to talk to the children, play with them, and learn more about them. I really enjoyed this because it helped me grow a stronger connection with who the water filter was for. The trip was by far one of the best I have ever done, and if I could go back, I would. Although the climbing and the altitude was rough on the body, building the water filter was an unforgettable experience. During one point of the trip, we were able to watch how a guinea pig was cooked because in their culture, they eat guinea pig. It was the most gruesome process I have seen but I will never be able to get that experience again. Our guides were amazing and so kind to everyone. They really connected well with all of us and I enjoyed every minute of their presence.

If you want a life changing experience, then you have come to the right place. My trip to Africa encompasses so many positive experiences. Since returning from my trip, well over a year ago, I still reflect on my time their and share my experiences frequently.

The bulk of this trip helped introduce me to humility and the importance of it. Building a school with my own to hands and seeing the genuine gratitude from the community ensured my efforts were worth every bead of sweat. Helping the Mama's by carrying Jerry-cans of water on your back, signified how privileged of a society our home in Canada is. Visiting the Mwangaza Hospital showed how fortunate we are to have health care and resources readily available upon request.

Forever the aspect that will stand out to me it the sense of community. Africa has a huge heart, constantly welcoming others, in order to allow them experience just a taste of its lively spirit. The community members we never shy to engage with us, and were always excited to share a piece of their world with us. In Africa, it does matter how much you make, or the materials you have, just that you support and care for others.

The programming helps individuals develop and establish different leadership skills, perspectives and social justice attitudes. It open up your mind to really show you, that no matter how small you might seem, you have the power to make a big change. It helps you create action plans, so you can focus your zest to change the world, because after all "Rome wasn't built in a day".

My MetoWe experience started when I was quiet young, and I do not intend to leave the family... not now... not ever...I encourage my peers on a daily basis to witness first hand the change MetoWe can foster in a person. Go, be the change you wish to see in the world.

Bogani is absolutely beautiful, the staff are amazing, and the food is out of the world. Everyday was planned out and we had a new and exciting adventure waiting fuir us every morning. The people of Kenya are amazing and made us feel so welcome and special.

This is a MUST do trip!!

I attended this trip as an adult volunteer with a school group. Our experience was mixed, with some positive elements and some negative.

The community building project was well organized, and the group participated in meaningful work with members of the community. The group laid a foundation, mixed concrete and poured it. The organization is clearly having a positive impact in the country. The locally hired construction managers were well trained and organized. On the otherhand, our group leaders were very young and inexperienced. The had no control over the daily routine and were regularly on the phone with headquarters for directions. This lead to a lot of wasted time, waiting around for instructions. A plan to spend a day in a village living with a local family completely fell through and there was no plan to replace it.

The accommodations were very basic. The sleeping and eating areas were acceptable, but the washrooms weren't cleaned frequently enough and by the middle of the trip there was only one shower for the entire group (18). There was rarely hot water and, for two days, there was no water at all. Some of the kids fell sick with GI problems. There was no one nearby with any medical training, and the first aid information provided by the group leaders was frequently inaccurate. The company did provide trips to hospital when required and the medical services there were good.

The building project was a good experience, as were the walking tours of Quito and the local community. However the tour included long hours of "programming" which consisted of role playing and lectures, often late into the evening. The content was weak and provided no information about the history and culture of the country. Mostly it came off as preaching, and sometimes it was embarrassing for the kids. Much better were visits with real people - a knitting cooperative and a band of local musicians. More local content and less longwinded and empty lectures would be a big improvement.

One unexpected thing was that the group was forbidden to take photos most of the time, and was very controlled in its ability to speak to anyone except selected individuals. For example, the kids were yelled at for looking in a small gift shop at the equator. One adult was chastized publicly for photographing a public square in Quito. It's clear that this organization is trying very hard to control it's media image, and this results in a rigid and sometimes pushy approach with the people on the tour.

My advice for a school or youth group interested in this tour would be to negotiate in advance for accommodations with decent washroom and shower facilities, and then to check in once the group arrives in Ecuador to make sure that the accommodations are suitable. I'd also recommend that a nurse or medic accompany the group, because we frequently needed medical support and didn't have it untless a trip was made to hospital, over an hour away. Finally, I'd ensure that there are several (i.e one for every 3-4 kids) responsible adults accompanying the group, and that they include a couple of group leaders with authority to make decisions when issues arise.

I went on this trip with a few of my friends from a local leadership club. We were there to help out and be with the community lots. Those were the two things we didn't do a lot of. I imagined we'd be with the kids and they'd help us with what we were building, but sadly we were limited to one hour of interaction with the community we were building for. Overall the experience was good, I just felt we got scammed, as the facilitators and staff were always hiding stuff from us.

Being in Kenya was the most amazing experience i have ever had! I had the opportunity to travel with 18 other girls, one of them being my best friend Madison.

Going into the trip i was extremely nervous and excited, i had no idea what to expect. It was helpful getting the chance to talk to a few of my good friends who have been on a Me to We trip before, to make me feel more comfortable and help me pack.

While i was there we stayed in the village of Sikirrar. Our camp was right around the corner from the school, so we got to spend a lot of time bonding with the children. Everyone was so friendly and happy. I don't think i have ever meet such happy people like the people in kenya.

I was lucky to have such a small group because we all became very close so fast, we ended up coming up with the name "Jamii Moja" for our group which means "One Family" in swahili. We even came up with a cheer to go with out name. A week into the trip we really became one family and ill never forget the friends i made.

My group was extremely motivated on the build site. Our facilitators continued to tell us how shocked they were of how much we accomplished for just being a group of 19 girls. While in Sikirrar, we finished a school and watched the roof go up, we brook ground on the kitchen, and began to put up the walls on the teacher housing. Our goal was to reach 5 bricks high on the kitchen, and although we only got to 3, it was still an amazing feeling to know how much we achieved together.

Ill never forget the day Keilen and i were finishing the last trench before we could pour concrete. It had to be one of the hottest build days. We both never stopped, because we so determined to reach 5 bricks high. When we finally finished, Steven, one of the community members was standing at the fence watching, he got a little closer and said "This will never be forgotten". This one sentence made me realize how grateful the community members are, and how much all our hard work was paying off!

The water walk was a full day of emotions. We woke up had our breakfast and went the walk with two of the local mamas. Paired up with a partner we walked from the river to these mamas homes carrying this massive water jug on our heads. We got to spend time with the mamas family and then went home and had a long talk that night about water. That day i really released how important water is to our world
and how many people lack it.

There were so many amazing things about my trip to kenya, from John our massi warrior reading the cosmo magazine to touring kissaruni, and the countless hour put into the build site. Kenya will always be apart of me.

This was an incredible trip that truly changed my life. We were able to help the local communities by contributing to building projects, while also learing about the environment and ourselves. We got to visit many different communities throughout the country and learn about each of these areas. We were fully immersed in the culture while on this trip, and even had Spanish lessons! The food on this trip was fantastic, and accommodations were very comfortable. The team environment on this trip allows for participants to feel comfortable and truly get to know their fellow volunteers. The staff at Me to We is spectacular! They helped us along on every step of our journey. I always felt safe and taken care of. This was an exceptional trip!

I had the experience of my life on this trip. You spend your days building a school, while also learning about the community and culture you are staying in and doing activities like a water walk, a safari and hiking up a mountain to take in the beautiful landscape (to name just a few). Also, some afternoons we went to a local primary school and got to play with kids there, and practice the swahili that we had been learning. You will do activities at night with your group that teach you about issues facing developing countries like Kenya around the world, such as education, water and healthcare. All in all, the experience is filled with moments that will open your mind to new ideas as well as giving you the fulfilling feeling of making a real, sustainable difference for people in that community.

In the summer of 2012 I went to the Masai Mara in Kenya for 4 weeks. People in The Netherlands warned me: Africa is going to change something in you, it won't leave your body! I said I'll see, I'll just experience it. Now I say: you can't explain Africa, you have to feel it!! I've had an amazing time with the African Impact 'Masai Mara big cat, wildlife research & conservation' project. I've seen so much wildlife, from lions to a herd of 53 elephant.The project is not only about wildlife, I've also gotten to know a tribe of wonderful people: The Maasai. Naboisho Conservancy gives you the best of everything. I can't say that this was a once in a lifetime experience, because I'm definitely going back to this beautiful place!