25th Anniversary Ecuador

25th Anniversary Ecuador

TRIPS

BY INVITATION ONLY:

WE’s 25th Anniversary Celebration in Ecuador

Join us to celebrate 25 years of making an impact.

WE.ORG/TRIPS | [email protected] | 1.647.961.2784

Table of contents

4 Hola 6 Timeline of WE 8 Ecuador itinerary 14 Trip costs 16  Minga Lodge

18 Customize your trip: Ecuador extensions 20 Our signature service 22 Health & safety 24 FAQ 26 Join us

From cacao and coffee beans to community empowerment Witness the incredible results of the work we do empowering local farmers to earn a sustainable livelihood through harvesting cacao and coffee beans for ME to WE chocolate and coffee.

Visit the Agricultural Learning Centre Tour our newest project in the Amazon region, the WE Agricultural Learning Centre. This stunning, expansive space supports local farmers as they learn new sustainable farming skills and build confidence in their work.

Change. Community. Connection. Share once-in-a-lifetime experiences alongside the remarkable people we partner with. See firsthand the progress of our development projects that are impacting lives.

Hola!

Dear friends,

This is our 25th anniversary of making doing good doable at WE and to celebrate, we’re honored to warmly invite you to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ecuador! This extraordinary experience is by invitation only, just for our closest friends to share in this historic moment. For the past 25 years, it’s been an incredible journey in helping to make a meaningful impact in the world and we’re excited to welcome the next chapter of our story—with you! Whether you’ve traveled with us before or have yet to join us, this is one trip you can’t miss. Unique, unforgettable and truly unsurpassable, we’ll take you into the heart of transformation in the making as we show you all of our finished development projects and those in the works. From a visit to our WE Agricultural Learning Centre to a hands- on experience to learning about the origins of ME to WE chocolate and coffee, exciting new adventures are in store for you. Meet new friends or catch up with old ones as you connect with the wonderful members of the community you visit. Dive into culture as you hear from leaders discussing the impact of sustainable development and their homes. See firsthand the incredible change that has

happened over the years as a result of our projects, such as the WE Agricultural Learning Centre. And when you embark on this journey, you’ll have the fantastic opportunity to bond with our global WE family of friends, supporters and partners. Join us in Ecuador to celebrate this pivotal milestone as we commemorate our past and look ahead to the future. We can’t wait to see you there!

Craig Kielburger, Marc Kielburger and Roxanne Joyal

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A meaningful milestone, a dazzling celebration and an exciting next chapter.

Ecuador

It’s been an extraordinary 25 years of doing good at WE, from witnessing our first minga —the Kichwa word meaning “people coming together for the greater good”— that inspired ME to WE to building our first school in Chimborazo. The gracious contributions and support of our global community make what we do possible and we’re so grateful to everyone who has been a part of the movement. Now, it’s time to celebrate the close of one chapter of our journey and welcome another exciting one. And we’re doing it in style! Celebrate our 25th anniversary with us on a special trip to Ecuador! Unbelievable surprises, new activities, delightful wonders and so much more await you on this incomparable experience. Unlike any of our offerings and any you’ll find elsewhere, this trip invites you to the heart of culture in Ecuador and takes you on an unparalleled adventure. From looking back on the past amazing 25 years at WE to kicking off another marvelous 25 years with us, you’re in for a treat!

Join us for an exclusive new trip to celebrate our 25th anniversary!

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We’re continuing our domestic and international programing, including partneringwith communities inKenya, India and Ecuador to help increase access to education, water, health care, food and income opportunities. With 25 years of doing good, WE looks forward to another 25 of making doing good doable.

At home in Toronto, WE opened the WE Global Learning Center, our do-good headquarters, and WE Charity opened WE College, the only postsecondary institution in Kenya that provides full scholarships.

Big changes came to the Maasai Mara. Not only did WE Charity open Kisaruni Secondary School to educate and empower girls graduating from primary school, but they also opened the Baraka Health Clinic to provide health care, which has now become a leading hospital in the region.

New initiatives begin at WE. Our first everWEDay in Toronto inspired 8,000 students and began the work of empowering a generation of change-makers. Inspired by the traditional crafts made by women inKenya and Ecuador, Roxanne Joyal foundedME toWEArtisans to help those women earn a sustainable income.

WE Villages, our holistic sustainable development model that partners with global communities, is launched. This program tackles the primary causes of poverty—education, water, health, food and opportunity—through its five Pillars of Impact.

We hosted our first volunteer trip to Kenya. Since then thousands of guests, including youth, school groups, families and corporate groups, have visited developing countries around the world.

We built our first schools in the mountainous region of Waslala in northern Nicaragua, and in West Bengal, India. The next year, we broke ground on schools in Kenya, and the year after that, in Ecuador.

After learning of Iqbal Masih, a former child worker who was murdered for speaking out against child labor, 12 year-old Craig Kielburger, and his 11 classmates founded WE Charity (formerly known as Free The Children).

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25th Anniversary Trip Itinerary

Trip dates: December 27, 2019 – January 2, 2020 July 25 – July 31, 2020 July 30 – August 5, 2020 December 27, 2020 – January 2, 2021 Day 1

Day 2 Fuel up with a delicious breakfast Get ready for the journey ahead by indulging in Wyndham Hotel’s breakfast buffet with both western favorites and traditional South American cuisine. Deep dive into the Amazon Basin You won’t believe your eyes when you descend into the rich, lush sea of emerald green of the Amazon Basin. Covering approximately 40 percent of the South American continent, don’t get lost in this wild, beautiful forest. Zip up the Rio Napo, an Amazon River tributary situated in one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, on an unforgettable outboard motor canoe ride. Feel the cool breeze on your face and watch the vibrantly colored birds fly above as your driver and cultural expert gives you an insider’s view of Amazon River culture. Hop aboard a picture-worthy jungle cruise river expedition

Depart from North America Arrive in Quito to kick-start your exclusive adventure Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Collect your luggage and make your way through customs to the arrivals area of Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, where a ME to WE representative will be waiting to greet you. Relax and enjoy a short ride to your hotel. Relax at the Wyndam Hotel before your jam-packed week When you arrive at the western-style hotel, you’ll be greeted by the sweet smell of fresh roses, one of the region’s top floral exports. Get a good first night’s rest before your descent into the Amazon rainforest.

Arrive at Minga Lodge Alli shamushca capay —welcome! A breathtaking sight you won’t see anywhere else in the world, drink in the spectacular Amazonian sunset over the Rio Napo as you step off the boat at Minga Lodge. Your lush tropical surroundings will be glowing pink and orange as you snack on local treats like plantain chips and yucca fritters, washed down with a glass of chilled guayusa tea. Welcome to your home-away-from-home An exquisite and peaceful oasis, Minga Lodge is tucked into the jungle overlooking the river. Discover winding trails and paths as you explore your cottage nestled deep in the rainforest. Walk through WE’s history and kick-off the next chapter! As you make yourself at home, learn more about the impact we’ve made together as we look back at the incredible past 25 years at WE and look toward the next chapter in our story. Let’s celebrate the change we’ve created together fromwhen we first started building schools in 1999 to today, as we implement our full WE Villages sustainable development program. Together, we can step forward into a transformative future. Welcome dinner Let the aromas of cumin, oregano, garlic and onion be your guides as you make your way back to the dining hall from your cabin, along meandering stone pathways and over a footbridge across the creek. Feast on western favorites and local delicacies like heart of palm, stinging nettle and fish cooked in palm leaves. Add some fire to the meal with a scoop of aji hot sauce, if you dare!

Kichwa 101 Connect with your new friends in the community on a deeper level by learning a little Kichwa. From challenging your senses with blindfolded taste tests to practicing with a fellow traveler, this interactive session will get you speaking the local language in no time!

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Day 3

Community orientation and volunteering Your momentous trip is just beginning! After breakfast, go for a short jungle walk or canoe ride to a nearby community. You’ll help with aWE Charity development project and connect with the wonderful people we partner with. Gain insight into the community mindset of the Kichwa people as you listen to the inspiring story of howCraig andMarc Kielburger witnessed a spontaneous and powerful community movement—a minga , which means “the coming together of people for the greater good” in Kichwa—years ago that inspired the formation of ME toWE, and the naming of Minga Lodge. Lunch Back at the lodge, sit down with new friends on the indoor-outdoor dining terrace and get excited for the new, immersive and unforgettable activities we have planned for you! hands-on workshop to learn the secrets of making delectable Ecuadorian chocolate from scratch? Meet a local cacao farmer who supplies beans to a French chocolatier and get creative by making your own concoction with flavors like lemongrass and banana. Cacao production is one of the main sources of income for the region’s farmers and we’re privileged to partner with them for the years to come. A sweet trip to the cacao farm When will you ever have the chance to join a

Day 4

A rainforest excursion beyond compare Here’s your one-and-only chance to drink fresh water straight from a jungle vine! Hike deep into primary and secondary rainforests to discover a myriad of flora and fauna, including seven species of toucan, long- tailed Potoos, gargantuan cebo trees and countless species of insects, spiders and snakes. Lunch Freshen up with a cool face towel at the lodge and refuel for the afternoon with a freshly prepared lunch and energizing glass of chilled guayusa tea. An authentic day-in-the-life of a local For the past 25 years, we’ve partnered with the extraordinary local people and what better way to honor our time together than by seeing Ecuador through their eyes, an experience you can only discover with ME to WE. Walk a mile in their shoes and roll up your sleeves to help a local farmer carry out some of their daily activities such as planting seeds, fetching water from the river and harvesting crops. Kichwa in the kitchen Take home a mouth-watering and lifelong souvenir you won’t find anywhere else—traditional Kichwa cooking lessons! Join our indigenous Kichwa chefs for a cooking workshop and transform exotic local ingredients you won’t find at home into delicious traditional dishes like fish wrapped in palm leaves. Enjoy the fruits of your labor for dinner!

Dinner Gather around the dinner table for a family-style feast and some down time with the group. Try your feet at traditional Ecuadorian dance Leap feet first into an authentic night of Ecuadorian dance performed by local community members. Join in on the fun and create lasting memories! Now spanning over 170 acres, the WE Agricultural Learning Center is a space for farmers to acquire new and improved techniques, gain confidence in their skills and succeed in their work. See firsthand the positive impact the center has on the lives of local farmers and their families, and learn about their sustainable farming practices tailored to the Amazon. Plus, check out the origins of the cacao we use in our delicious ME to WE chocolate! Visit one of our newest projects, the WE Agricultural Learning Center

Dinner Share stories and photos with friends over a stunning sunset dinner perched above the Rio Napo. Tune in to your senses and enjoy the warm breeze on your skin, the richness of spices in your mouth, and the emerging sounds of jungle fauna all around.

The Amazonian night hike beyond your wildest dreams!

After sunset, it’s time for the ultimate adventure. Grab your flashlights and set out on a mind-boggling night hike with an experienced local guide. Get up close and personal with curious critters like frogs, spiders, tree snakes, cayman and owls. But with tens of thousands of species in the Amazon Basin, who knows what friendly creatures might come say hello!

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Day 7

Depart for Quito Say goodbye to the steamy Amazon and its amazing people and way of life, as we drive to higher ground back to the city of Quito. Visit historic Quito Top off your memorable week by exploring Old Quito, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a walking tour of the area. Find yourself lost in the enchanting stories of Old Quito’s rich culture and history as you take in the stunning 17th and 18th century Spanish colonial architecture. Often referred to as Latin America’s best tourist destination, Ecuador’s capital city boasts countless beautiful old churches, striking architecture and winding cobblestone streets with mountains and hills surrounding the downtown proper. Farewell dinner at Plaza Grande While in Quito’s historic center, there is no missing the famous Plaza Grande. With its many notable buildings, including the official presidential palace and statue commemorating independence, this plaza is one of Quito’s points of pride. The restaurant is dedicated to the pleasures of traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, offering selections from every region of the country, accompanied by traditional music. Enjoy the meal while you reflect on a week full of authentic and exciting experiences. Relax for the night at a nearby hotel in Quito before your departure. International departure Your driver will pick you up from dinner and drive you straight to the airport for your flight back home, or on to your next adventure! OR Begin your customized extension

Day 5 Optional early morning bird watching

Day 6 Braided & beaded: Alternative income initiatives in the Amazon Find yourself in the center of culture, community and connection as you meet a dynamic group of skilled female artisans and learn how they are earning a sustainable income through traditional jewelry making. Marvel at their stunning craftsmanship and the exquisite accessories they create with many pieces made from nuts and seeds collected in the rainforest. From sourcing to production, every step toward creating uniquely Ecuadorian red, black and white jewelry pieces is local, and the women also produce modern loom beaded bracelets and items featuring traditional South American motifs. Shaman ceremony and weapons training There is no better way to jump headfirst into a community’s way of life than by taking part in decades-old traditions alongside them. Be invited into the home of a local shaman, high above the river, for a truly immersive experience: a traditional cleansing ceremony and blessing. Next, try your hand at spear- throwing and shooting a blowgun as you follow the footsteps of an indigenous weapons expert.

Just for early risers, enjoy a tranquil start to the day with bird watching. Travel to our 300 hectare forest reserve and look to the trees, where it’s not unusual to spot more than 30 species of birds in one hour, including local celebrity species like Whitehawk and Blackhawk eagles. Building in a local community Kick-start the next chapter of our WE story in the best possible way—connecting with the locals over a development project! After breakfast, join your group and a ME to WE teammember to help in a WE Villages development project. Witness the extraordinary progress of these projects and how you’re helping to make an impact. Lunch Reconvene with the group back at the lodge for lunch and a bit of down time before carrying on with the remainder of your day. Kick your feet up for a quick afternoon siesta in your hammock or join friends for a game of cards in the shade.

We’ve planned a ton of extra- special events and activities with our co-founders on this thrilling 25th anniversary trip. Enjoy this awe-inspiring adventure to usher in the next 25 years of our journey together! Just for our honored guests, countless surprises are in store for you!

Celebrate our 25th anniversary under the Amazon sky!

Farewell celebration Celebrate your week of new experiences and

Our 25th anniversary soirée will go down in history! Jam-packed with inspirational fun, wonderful thrills, unforgettable surprises and so much more, the party of the century awaits you. Unforgettable surprises await you as we celebrate our 25th anniversary and welcome the new year and next chapter of our do-good story.

meaningful contributions to community development projects alongside friends and teammembers with one final family-style feast. Reflect on the outstanding unfolding of sustainability and empowerment of the community you visited, and look ahead to even more incredible change to come!

Please note that this itinerary is subject to change. Details of specific trip inclusions/exclusions are listed after the itinerary with costing. Accommodation in Quito may change subject to availability.

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$5,050* USD PP Shared accommodation $500 USD PP Single supplement Trip costs

*Pricing valid until August 31st, 2019.

Inclusions • One night hotel accommodation in Quito • Access to day room in Quito on final day • Accommodation at Minga Lodge ( five nights) • All meals and drinks while at Minga Lodge (beer and wine included) • All activities as outlined in the itinerary • Entrance fees to sights in Quito • Meals as indicated in Quito • Ground transportation throughout the duration of the trip • ME to WE professional facilitators Exclusions • International airfare to and from Quito • Meals in Quito (dinner in Quito on arrival night) • Travel insurance: out-of-country medical, trip cancellation and interruption insurance • Gratuities are not expected but appreciated, and are shared among all staff. We humbly suggest $10-15 per adult per day.

*Please note that arrival and departure transfers are included in your trip cost. Pick-up time at the airport begins at 2:30 p.m. on your arrival day, to accommodate check-in at the hotel, which begins at 3 p.m. Should you decide to extend your stay by arriving earlier or departing later than the scheduled times of your ME to WE Volunteer Adventure, airport pick-up and drop-offs can be arranged at an additional cost.

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EXPLORE ECUADOR

Minga Lodge

• Self-contained cabin-style accommodations with organic flair, suitable for individuals and families alike. • Inspired common spaces that include an al fresco dining platform overlooking the Rio Napo, offering spectacular sunset views. • Modern conveniences including hot water, power and en suite washrooms. • Enjoy family-style meals prepared fresh daily by expert chefs, including western favourites and Ecuadorian specialties. • We have a 15-year record of travel safety for our guests.

A tropical hideaway designed with its environment in mind, the picturesque Minga Lodge is located on the edge of the Rio Napo. After a day of volunteering in indigenous Kichwa communities, Minga Lodge offers serene and comfortable spaces to refresh and recharge.

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Otovalo and Cotopaxi From Quito, drive overland to the regions of Otovalo and Cotopaxi. Both offer a unique glimpse into Ecuadorian life—from vast, open-air markets, to snow-capped mountains in the highlands. Recharge and refresh at traditional and welcoming haciendas, set high in the Andean mountain range. Embark on optional daily hikes and excursions provided by our partner haciendas, leading you to breathtaking vistas, trickling waterfalls and tranquil villages.

FROM $900 USD PP Based on double occupancy

Includes two nights full board accommodation and all land transfers. Optional activities extra.

Galapagos Islands

FROM $3,000 USD PP Based on double occupancy

Embark on a breathtaking adventure, bringing you face to-face with the vast biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands. Be expertly guided through the flora and fauna of this famous archipelago on an unforgettable journey. Located 1,000 km from the Ecuadorian mainland, enjoy a remote paradise made famous by Charles Darwin and mingle with the vast array of natural wonders—on land or by sea! No matter which option you choose, we are happy to create the perfect adventure for you and your family. Book early to secure your spot—Galapagos trips sell out very quickly.

Price subject to availability and occupancy. Land and sea-based options available. Includes three nights full board accommodation, domestic flights and all land transfers. Optional activities extra.

Machu Picchu and beyond Start your journey in Peru’s bustling, coastal capital of Lima, before traveling to the ancient city of Cusco. Spend a day wandering the cobblestone streets, exploring Inca ruins and admiring beautiful Spanish architecture, all with the backdrop of the cloud-topped Andes mountains. Then, begin your journey to Machu Picchu itself, traveling through the Sacred Valley aboard a glass-topped Vistadome train. Along the way, take in stunning views of Peruvian villages nestled beside lush forests and rushing rivers. Your final ascent to Machu Picchu begins the next day!

FROM $3,000 USD PP Based on double occupancy

Price subject to availability and occupancy. Includes international flight from Quito to Lima, domestic return flight from Cusco to Lima, all land transfers and four nights full board accommodation.

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Don’t worry about the details, our team is on call to provide:

International and domestic flights on world-class airlines Our ME to WE Travel Teammembers are experts at buying the best flights and finding you the top sales on international airfare. Whether you want to fly first class, or snag the most cost-effective deal, our team can book your travel from door-to-door. Travel insurance Whether it is medical, cancellation or lost baggage (or any combination of the above), we are able to create and purchase the plan that will give you and your family peace of mind. Passport and visa information If you are unsure about what is needed to enter Ecuador, we will walk you through any and all requirements and make sure you have everything you need to begin your journey worry-free! Immunization information At ME to WE, our participants’ health is our top priority. We always recommend visiting a travel doctor a minimum of six weeks before your departure date. If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, we are happy to recommend a travel doctor that is familiar with ME to WE Trips. On-ground transportation and local guide Once you arrive in Ecuador, we take care of all your transportation, so you can sit back and enjoy the spectacular wildlife and landscapes of the Amazon unfolding in front of you. Your experienced local guide will welcome you into the communities and be an invaluable resource for in-depth information about the places and people you visit. Travel recommendations From Quito, you are at the perfect gateway to explore either the Galapagos, inland Ecuador or even Peru. Whatever you choose, we are more than happy to arrange the next leg of your journey!

Our signature service

Whether you’re preparing for your trip or experiencing the real deal on the ground, we take care of all the details! Leave the planning to us—including flight arrangements, packing lists and information about vaccines and visas. While in country, we encourage you to focus on what’s really important: being in the moment. That’s why we ensure every detail is accounted for— from world-class accommodations and meals, to in-country transportation and excursions with your local guide.

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NEW YEAR TRIP 2018-2019

Health & safety

Your safety is our top priority! We take care of all the details to ensure you stay safe and healthy throughout your trip including: • 24-hour security staff • Filtered water available at all times

“The water we will drink is filtered. The food is prepared by their own kitchen, their own chef. We have these wonderful facilitators around us that are fountains of knowledge, but they also make sure that everything is seamless.”

Donna MacFarlane ME to WE Immersive Volunteer Trip, 2013

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Frequently asked questions

Q: What is the weather like in Ecuador? A: Because Ecuador is so geographically diverse, different regions experience different climates. Minga Lodge, however, is located in the Amazon rainforest, and therefore weather is generally hot and humid. The average temperature hovers around 26° Celsius. From December, it will be the dry season when temperatures range from 26–35° Celsius. Q: What time zone is Ecuador in? A: Quito is on ECT (Ecuador Time), and is the same as Toronto (Eastern Standard Time). However, they do not have Daylight Saving Time, so the region is an hour behind during DST periods.

Q: Can I bring a laptop, iPod, expensive camera etc.? A: We suggest traveling as lightly as possible to minimize the risk of damage to or loss of your possessions. The rooms and cabins at Minga Lodge are able to be locked. We ask that you leave your key with reception if you choose to lock your room during the day. Q: Is there filtered water? A: The water at our lodge comes from natural springs, is purified before use to prepare food and is chlorinated in all other areas of the lodge. Our lodge provides filtered water stations so you can refill your water bottle throughout the day.

Q: What is the electrical voltage in Ecuador? A: Plugs in Ecuador take 240v. Moreover, Ecuador’s outlets are the same as those in North America— two flat, parallel prongs. Q: What will my meals be like while I’m in Ecuador? A: Participants can expect to eat meals consisting of traditional cuisine, which includes beans, rice, meat, salads, soups and potatoes, as well as western favorites. This food is prepared with great care by our local lodge staff. Minga Lodge is also able to accommodate any dietary needs—just let us know before you leave for your trip.

Q: Is there a minimum age for the trip participants going to Ecuador? A: We welcome participants of all ages to our trips—there is something fun and different for everyone! Q: Can I bring gifts for the kids? A: We ask that you do not. ME to WE and WE Charity work in solidarity with the communities we are partnered with. Put simply, your gift is your presence. We ask that our trip participants do not bring candy, toys or presents for community members, as we would like to promote fairness for all children. A portion of your trip cost goes to in-country communities to support their basic needs.

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Join us! ME to WE Trips Janice Carere Director of Special Experiences

[email protected] 1.647.961.2784

ECUADOR