- Dear friends of Sudbury Minga for Maasai, We are so pleased to invite you to join us at our Volunteer Adventure centre in Kenya Bogani Cottages and Tented Camp. Each year we are honoured to welcome special guests to the Maasai Mara characterized by its welcoming, colorful, and distinctive local cultures. Here you can gain unique insight into the lives of Maasai and Kipsigis families through handson volunteering and learning together in traditional communities. Kenya is a standout success in Free The Children s Adopt a Village model. In addition to more than 130 schools and school rooms that provide an education to over 7,500 children a day, the organization also runs health, nutrition, water and sanitation programs for thirteen communities. Truly, Kenya has become an incubator for many of the new ideas in development and there is always something new, like the latest work in food security and the all-girls high school. The close bond between Me to We Trips and our charitable partner Free The Children opens doors that allows you to experience the Adopt a Village development model in a way that is engaging for guests of all ages. For more than a decade we have seen people s lives and perspectives transformed on Me to We Volunteer Adventures, and we have built our program and bespoke centre at Bogani Cottages and Tented Camp to ensure your comfort, and launch you into a world of adventure, education, and discovery. If you would like to begin planning your trip or if you have any further questions, please contact Dominika at 416-964-8942, ext.537 or at dominika@metowe.com. Please join us in Kenya, and feel the real heartbeat of Africa! It s your time to change the world. Sincerely, Roxanne Joyal Co-CEO Me to We Marc Kielburger Co-CEO Me to We
Me to We Volunteer Adventure to Kenya 2015 Trip Itinerary *** Please note that this itinerary is subject to change. Details of specific trip inclusions/exclusions are listed below with the sample costing. Accommodation in Nairobi may change subject to availability. Saturday March 14 Sunday March 15 Depart from North America Evening Arrival in Nairobi Collect your luggage and proceed through customs, where you will be welcomed by your in-country facilitator in the arrivals hall. Enjoy a comfortable ride to your boutique hotel. Check-in at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden Built in 1908, this house was the home of the coffee farm manager for the Blixen Coffee Plantation. The home has been fully restored to its original historic glory and now serves as a luxurious resort for guests. A full English breakfast is served in the resort s lush gardens. Monday March 16 Full Breakfast at Karen Blixen Enjoy your breakfast in the hotel s old front garden or in the comfort of your room. Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Founded in 1977 by Dr. Daphne Sheldrick D.B.E., in honour of the memory of her late husband, famous naturalist and founding Warden Warden of Tsavo East National Park, David Sheldrick MBE. Drive from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara Relax during this amazing drive through the great African Rift Valley. The vast savannah will truly leave you breathless. Visit Pimbiniet Primary School (it s on the way to Bogani) Pimbiniet and witness how far the community has come since you were last there, and for those visiting here for the first time, learn how the school started from humble beginnings to what it is now, an academic power house amongst Free The Children schools and in the entire zone indeed. You ll also get a chance to see the differences between an old and the new school room. Arrive at Bogani Cottages and Tented Camp Settle into your new lodgings at Bogani Cottages and Tented Camp. The bespoke cottages and tents are a serene place to relax and reflect after an invigorating day of volunteering. Each accommodation is complete with hot and cold running water, flush toilets and comfortable beds, and is furnished with unique African fabrics and art. Introduction and Orientation Walk Bogani s winding paths under yellow acacia groves, and get acquainted with the camp, learning some Swahili along the way. Enjoy lunch on the veranda overlooking the savannah.
Learn about Free The Children s Adopt a Village Program Learn about Free The Children s unique Adopt a Village (AAV) model. Free The Children developed the AAV model with its five key pillars to break the cycle of poverty and achieve long-term community development: 1. Quality primary education 2. Health care services 3. Alternative income projects 4. Safe, clean drinking water and sanitation systems 5. Agriculture and food security Tuesday March 17 Community Water Walk Join two of your favourite Mamas, Beatrice and Janet in the Pimbiniet community for a special community walk. After catching up, take time to learn more about how the Kipsigis organize their homes and live. Fetch water with the Mamas, a task the women perform daily. Lunch with the Mamas School Building Roll up your sleeves and work alongside community members and help build a school. Dinner with a feature Me to We Speaker Evening Leadership Activity Introduction Wednesday March 18 Thursday March 19 Morning School Building Roll up your sleeves and grab some tools to work alongside Maasai/Kipsigi community members as you help to build a new school for the community. Visit Baraka Medical Clinic and Medicinal Garden Visit one of FTC s newest projects, the Baraka Health Centre. The Medical Clinic serves over 30,000 community members, promoting healthy living and providing preventative, curative and rehabilitative services to the most vulnerable segments of the Kenyan population. Mulot Market Visit an authentic African market and learn more about the economic market in which the community members live. Beading in Sikirar Spend the afternoon beading with the mamas in the Sikirar community. Learn more about the artisans and how their work ties into the alternative income pillar of the Adopt a Village model. Ask them about their innovative Merry Go Round Program. Soccer Match with Kisaruni girls Take the afternoon for a soccer game with the girls of Kisaruni. Winner gets bragging rights Optional morning Warrior walk or run before breakfast MorningSchool-Building at Pimbiniet Watch your building site progress as the school site develops. Spend some time talking to the locals as the bricks get higher, and the school gets closer to completion.
Lunch Meet the girls at Oleleshwa Secondary School The 2 nd girls high school just opened doors for its first ever class in 2013! Similar to Kisaruni, it focuses on community, and involves empowering curriculum that provides girls with opportunities to excel. Oleleshwa strives to build on cultural values, promote leadership, value diversity, and encourage active learning. Go on a guided tour of Free The Children s first all-girls Secondary School on Maasai land and meet the girls, education facilitators and caretakers who call Oleleshwa their second home. Dinner and Evening Leadership Activity Friday March 20 Saturday March 21 More school building at Pimbiniet Lunch Embark on an afternoon safari Take a drive through the Maasai Mara to look for giraffes, lions, elephants, hippos and buffalos, and some of our favourites, the more common Thomson s gazelle and resident zebra herds. Evening Leadership Activity 5:30 AM Light breakfast and then embark on an early morning safari Late Lunch Me to We Duka at Bogani Visit the Duka, our on-site shop, which offers locally sourced gifts, Kenya exclusive products, and Me to We Artisans beaded accessories and home wares made by local Maasai women. Rest, Read, Relax or take an optional hike Sunday March 22 Finish School-Building and School Beautification Plant some trees in memory of your visit to Bogani. Your trees will be individually adopted by members of the community. Say Kwaheri to the Community Wish your new friends in the community farewell and debrief on your Volunteer Adventure and community experience with your facilitators. Medicine Walk and Maasai Warrior Training Enjoy a leisurely hike as you learn about medicinal herbs from a local Maasai warrior. You will also have the chance to train in the art of Maasai weaponry as you enjoy a cup of chai or a glass of wine on the hillside. Enjoy NyamaChoma Dinner Relax and enjoy a traditional NyamaChoma dinner Kenya s barbecue.
Monday March 23 Depart from Bogani Take a short flight back to Wilson airport in Nairobi. Check-in at the Tribe Hotel, Nairobi Stay in the old suburb of Gigiriin a day room at Tribe, voted one of the hottest hotels in Africa by Condé Nast Traveler. Rest and repack before your departure and enjoy a modern take on eclectic and artistic Africa. Visit to Me to We Artisans Atelier Visit the nearby Atelier to see the bespoke pieces being created by Me to We Artisans in our workshop. Travel via Limuru through lush and serene countryside dotted with small towns and tea farms before reaching the Atelier in Rosslyn. Enjoy a high tea lunch while browsing through the latest jewellery collection, handmade with love in Kenya, fair trade crafts from across the continent, and other special items curated by Roxanne Joyal, founder of Me to We Artisans, during her travels around the world. Feast at the Jiko Restaurant A farewell dinner exclusively for Me to We guests at Tribe s newest restaurant, featuring a modern décor and continental dishes with African flair. Drive to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for Your Flight Home if you are not continuing on to Toriana. Arrival to North America for those will be Tuesday March 24. Kwaherinina safari jemma! COASTAL EXTENSION (OPTIONAL) Enjoy an optional extension at our private beach house, Toriana. No trip to Kenya is complete without a retreat to its stunning coast, and at Toriana you can rest and recharge after your week of volunteering. Tuesday March 24 Tuesday March 25 Depart for Kilifi from the Maasai Mara Fly to Malindi Airport direct from an airstrip near Boganiand make your way to the beautiful Kenyan coast. Check-in totoriana Graceful arches and authentic detailing welcome you home to Toriana after a short drive from the Malindi Airport. Discover Swahili culture and history from the comfort of our coastal beach house. Sited on four waterfront acres near Kilifi, we encourage you to enjoy fresh meals served on the vast terraces, inspiring Swahili and Moroccan architecture, and the white sand and blue waters of Bofa beach footsteps away. Sunset Stroll Walk along the beach to take in the breeze and experience a sunset over the Indian Ocean. Explore Kilifi Take the morning to explore the sleepy seaside town of Kilifi. Enjoy the palm-fringed beauty of the coast, and plug into the local culture and way of life.kilifi is surrounded by many farms and vast natural lands with trees. The lovely Giriama people provide insight into the rich history of the coast, and their unique culture and traditions. Relax and Recharge As the local people say, There s no rush while you re in paradise. Reward yourself after a week of volunteering and spend the afternoon unwinding on a breezy lanai terrace or exploring the beach.
Wednesday March 26 Tour Mombasa Old Town Named a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the old town of Mombasa is a truly unique urban centre that reflects the rich and varied history of the communities who have inhabited the winding, cobbled streets for hundreds of years. The architecture reflects the distinct styles of each culture, with beautiful building details referencing African, Arabic and European influences. Visit Fort Jesus, a historic 16th century Portuguese site, designed to protect the harbor and reflect the Renaissance ideal of perfect proportions. Relax and Recharge Enjoy the sun and take a refreshing swim in the infinity pool. Dhow Boat Excursion The best way to experience Kenya s beautiful coast is from the deck of a dhow boat. These traditional sailing vessels have been used for hundreds of years to transport goods up and down the coast, and on your excursion they will grant you access to a unique view of the coast and the beautiful wildlife that surrounds you. Farewell Dinner and Beach BBQ Spend your last night of the trip watching the sun set over the ocean as you gather round and celebrate with a beach barbecue dinner. Thursday March 27 Friday March 28 Depart from Toriana Take a short flight back to Wilson airport in Nairobi. Transfer to Jommo Kenyatta for your international flights. Arrive Home in North America
Me to We Signature Service Every Me to We Volunteer Adventure includes your major expenses and is designed to keep the trip running smoothly and worry-free. You will be guided by an in-country facilitator for the duration of your trip, an invaluable resource and source of local knowledge. As well, a large team on the ground will ensure your comfort and safety at all times. These costs offer a guideline for your total trip cost. We would be happy to customize your Volunteer Adventure to suit your unique needs and to provide a final quote. Me to We Volunteer Adventure costs are subject to change based on the final inclusions and exclusions you request. Trip Estimate $3,052 USD pp Bogani Tented Camp (based on double occupancy) $800 USD pp Single supplement Bogani and Nairobi Inclusions Me to We professional facilitator Ground transportation throughout the duration of the trip Hotel accommodation in Nairobi (1 night) Entrance fees to sights in Nairobi Meals as indicated in Nairobi Fight from Maasai Mara to Nairobi Accommodation at Bogani Cottages and Tented Camp (7 nights) All meals and drinks at Bogani, including purified water, sodas, beer and wine Two safari game drives All activities as outlined in the itinerary Access to a day room on the final day of the trip Dinner and a welcome drink at Jiko Restaurant Flying Doctors Insurance (evacuation in-country) Exclusions *Please note that arrival and departure transfers are included in your trip cost. Pickup time at the airport begins at 2:30pm on your arrival day, to accommodate checkin at the hotel, which begins at 3pm. 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. Toriana Extension Estimate $1,295 USD pp Toriana Beach House (3-nights) based on dbl occupancy $200 USD pp Toriana single supplement $50 USD pp - conversion of day room to overnight room *Participants can choose to extend their stay for a supplementary fee Inclusions Accommodation at Toriana Beach House (3 nights) Return airfare from Nairobi to Malindi All activities as identified in the itinerary All meals, sodas and purified water Exclusions Optional activities while at Toriana Alcoholic beverages at Toriana Gratuities are not expected but appreciated, and are shared among all staff. We humbly suggest $5-10 per adult per day International airfare to and from Nairobi Kenya Entry Visa: This must be obtained upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, at a cost of $50 USD per person in cash Evening Snack in Nairobi upon arrival Additional alcoholic beverages at Jiko Restaurant Travel Insurance: out-of-country medical, trip cancellation & interruption insurance Gratuities are not expected but appreciated, and are shared among all staff. We humbly suggest $5-10 per adult per day