Me to We Ecuador: A Natural and Environmental Discovery

could not have asked for a better experience on my ME to WE trip to Ecuador! great staff and program, met some of the kindest and coolest people ever. life changing experiences and highly recommend to everyone! the food is great, the Minga Lodge was awesome as well. the program is very well organized and everyday is packed with fun activities and memorable service work. Looking forward to more ME to WE trips in the future!

Going to Ecuador with Me to We was an experience of a life time! I learned so much about myself and others,and helped build a kitchen and dining hall for the school in a small village called Shuid. We were given proper instructions telling us how to work with the equipment, wear protective gear, and told to take breaks whenever we were tired, and we were off! We started off with three rows of bricks, and ended up having finished with about twenty rows of bricks. We also had an opportunity to meet with the children attending the school, but unfortunately most of them were at home, as it was their summer break. After our work in Shuid, we left for the Amazon where we spent our last couple of days doing jungle walks and meeting the locals. Overall this experience expanded my world view and taught me so much about myself and what life is like in other parts of the world. I would recommend this trip for anyone who is looking to make a difference, explore different parts of the world, and make life long friends.

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.

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.

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!