Planning the trip of a lifetime: tips from experienced group leaders
When it comes to supporting young people in changing the world, educators and group leaders are some of our greatest allies. A ME to WE Trip is just the beginning of a journey of sustainable change for your group, can be an incredibly rewarding experience for you as a leader. Planning to take a group of young people across the world and back is no easy feat, but ME to WE is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way. We sat down with three educators and group leaders who have travelled with us to ask about their experiences planning trips with us.
David Fischer, Director of Student Services, St. Michael’s College School – Toronto, ON
St. Michael’s College School has travelled with ME to WE to India and the Amazon and are planning a trip to Nicaragua for 2016.
What were the highlights of ME to WE Trips for you as a group leader?
The best parts of the trip were when we had time to interact with the children in communities. We visited the school and classes—the kids would share their poems and songs, and there were some soccer games. It was great to see our high school boys interacting with those elementary school children. The joy and camaraderie was wonderful.
What have you and your students taken away from these experiences?
There’s something really powerful about the human interaction and cultural exchange—seeing how people live in a different culture and highlighting those difference, but at the same time seeing that there’s an underlying commonality in terms of our humanity. People want and need pretty much the same things—they want to have clean drinking water and a reliable food source, to send their kids to school. I think it was really helpful for our students to be able to both experience the differences, ad the commonality.
What was the ME to WE Trip planning process like for you?
The whole process was really easy. We had our work cut out for us in terms of promoting the trip, but ME to WE was marvelous with support, direction and advice. We always had a contact person—we could send them an email or call anytime and they’d call us back right away and answer all of our questions.
Did you have any issues or concerns during the trip planning process? How did ME to WE help you deal with these?
The number one thing for parents is safety, and ME to WE was great in addressing the concerns that they had, not just about travel safety, but food and water safety, what will happen if their sons get sick and how parents would be contacted in case of emergency.
What advice would you give to a first-time group leader?
I think the first thing is that you want to start promoting the trip early. We always start promoting a trip the year before. Getting information out to both students and parents is also really helpful—we always give out information packages before the summer, and then host an info meeting in September. It really helps to build interest and excitement in the trip, and helps parents to see the value of the trip and have any concerns addressed.
Brenda Lee, Group Leader, Girl Guides of Canada – Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Brenda Lee travelled with a Girl Guides group to Ghana in 2014, and is planning a trip to Ecuador for 2016.
Why do you think it’s important for students to have experiences like this?
They get so caught up in their own little worlds and often don’t see beyond their high school walls. For the girls that we took on this trip, their whole perspective has changed.
How did ME to WE support you in the planning process?
ME to WE was very helpful with every detail, like getting visas—to actually get physical samples of what was expected and be walked through the process was really helpful.
We had a quick turnaround time to get our paperwork in for Girl Guides, so it was wonderful for us to be able to get information from ME to WE quickly, and get information like emergency response plans. It all worked out very smoothly.
Did you have any issues or concerns during the trip planning process? How did ME to WE help you deal with these?
The other day, our girls were getting really bogged down with a cookie sale fundraiser for our upcoming trip to Ecuador, and they weren’t seeing the end prize anymore. And Katie, our trip engagement specialist, called us and spent half an hour going through a variety of different things about the trip and building excitement. Now, the talk is back on the trip and how this fundraiser will get us there.
What advice would you give to a first-time group leader?
What I found really helpful is talking to other groups that had travelled with ME to WE. It really reassured us about what would happen and that everything would be taken care of.
Kristen Crouse, Academic Director, Montessori Academy of London – London, Ontario
The Montessori Academy of London travelled with ME to WE to the Amazon in 2014 and are planning a second trip for 2016.
What were the highlights of ME to WE Trips for you as a group leader?
The whole trip was a highlight—it was just amazing. It was really neat to visit Mondaña and work with the community. One of our students speaks Spanish, so it was neat to hear him speaking with the families there.
On the last night of the trip, we had to write a letter to ourselves, and then ME to WE mailed it to us six months later. It was really neat to get that letter—even I got one. It just brought you back to remembering what it was like, what the purpose of the trip was and what you learned.
Is there anything you do as a group leader that helps with the planning process?
After our first trip, I created a checklist. ME to WE sends out emails to families, but I also send out emails too, so there are things I need to make sure I take care of on our end. For example, sending out our own list of things families should pack.
How do you generate interest and excitement about the trip at your school?
We do an Ecuadorian potluck where the family of each student coming on the trip makes a dish that’s South American. That way, the parents can all meet each other, and the students can get together as the group that’s going to be travelling.
Did you have any issues or concerns during the trip planning process? How did ME to WE help you deal with these?
We had a parent who was concerned with the overall safety of the group. Myself, this parent and the head of our school did a conference call with ME to WE and they fully reassured us [about the safety precautions they take]. That made the parent feel much better.
How did ME to WE support you on the ground during the trip?
ME to WE always made sure that the kids drank enough water, had sunscreen on, and were always making sure they were feeling okay. The whole trip was just a great experience.
For access to more trip-planning resources and to start planning a trip for your group, connect with our team today!
A story from our founder Roxanne Joyal, CEO, ME to WE
It started with a string of beads. A symbol of culture and tradition, they also represented opportunity for thousands of Kenyan women. With the chance to earn a sustainable income, they’ve be able to do things they never imagined possible, like send their children to school, build strong, safe homes and become entrepreneurs. Working with our charity partner Free The Children, ME to WE has been able to accomplish more than WE could ever imagine.
Through our Artisans program, we’ve transformed countless lives and entire communities thanks to these beads. Our most popular piece, the Rafiki Bracelet, is sold almost everywhere you go—from the movie theatre, to the bookstore, to the mall. Made with love by the hands of these women, our jewellery connects you to a purpose every time you wear it. It was from this idea that ME to WE Artisans founder Roxanne Joyal created meaningful employment for these women and at the same time, created meaningful work for herself—a career built on empowering others.
You’re incredibly passionate and committed to empowering women through Artisans. What drives you?
Three things:
1) The business imperative—what I love about ME to WE is that we work within a business framework, but success within our company means success for so many people—our employees, customers, guests, stakeholders here and overseas. Every time we have a win, it’s a win that creates a lot of good.
2) The people are the reason I come to work every day. I love collaborating and working with them. I appreciate that I can have input and guide our decision-making, but our sense of innovation comes from incredibly young and fresh minds.
3) The incredible amount of joy working with people overseas—the Maasai Warriors and mamas in Kenya are the most memorable people our trips participants meet. We also provide meaningful and long-term employment for the mamas. Being able to leverage their heritage and artistic background in a way that they are counted as people within their communities is amazing—it’s a good job.
It must be such a gratifying feeling to do work that positively impacts so many people and most importantly, gives women a voice like that. Speaking of Artisans, what are you most excited for right now?
Our Rafikis programs! My goal with the Rafiki Bracelet is to get people wearing their values on their arm, like a badge of honour. We’re starting to see them randomly in places like coffee shops and when I do, I ask the person where they got their Rafiki. They always say it has a special meaning to them—our message is getting out there!
And beading Rafikis is a part of the Maasai culture—a tradition that’s being preserved and shared with the world. To think it all started with tiny beads! What have you learned about working with the mamas who make Artisans products like Rafikis?
I’ve learned so much from them. Perhaps one of the greatest lessons is one should never underestimate the human ability to respond to opportunity. These women were thought of as only good for fetching water and cooking meals, but they can be artists, entrepreneurs, caregivers, organizers and more—it’s very powerful.
Mama Helen is someone who was introduced to this opportunity and really embraced it. I’ve seen so much growth in her—in her physical demeanour and her self-confidence—she empowers many other women but still comes to work with incredible humility, a spirit of collaboration and a willingness to learn.
I have to give credit to Robin Wiszowaty, the link to the Maasai community. She made it possible for us to speak with the mamas and learn from them. They are very smart and I wanted to create a new way for them to make an income using their skills. My responsibility to them is to ensure the ME to WE shop stays open.
Given this kind of inspirational work, is there a moment you experienced with the mamas that rises above the rest?
We had a number of mamas working at the Atelier one day and my daughter Lily-Rose was there—she’s had constant exposure to these women and when anyone says ‘beads,’ she says, ‘mamas!’ I had sandwiched myself in a group of mamas for a photo and they had put necklaces on me as symbol of our connection. As Lily-Rose made her way to my lap, she was warmly welcomed by the mamas in the traditional way by putting their hands on her head and necklaces around her neck. It was then that I realized how my personal life and work life were coming together in a meaningful and authentic way.
That’s such a beautiful image you’ve painted—to share a connection with women across the world but also create a life where your work and personal life can unite. What have been the pivotal moments in your life that have taken you in this direction?
It’s been a journey! I would say meeting my husband, Marc Kielburger, having the opportunity to volunteer in Kenya when I was 18 and the opportunity to serve as one of the first employees at Free The Children by virtue of Theresa Kielburger [Marc and Craig’s mother]—all built up to this.
We actually tried to start the beading program in 2003. I took a sabbatical from my studies at Oxford and no student had ever requested that, but I condensed my courses so I could have one term in Kenya to witness the leadership centre being built. The beading program didn’t take off because we weren’t officially established in the community yet—it took an additional four years to create trust and obtain the knowledge we needed from them. It’s been a path of building and an incredible team effort, made possible by so many amazing people.
And where do you see that direction going—what’s your vision for the future of Artisans?
We’re always learning and have been in a phase of rapid growth. We’ve had incredible mentors along the way and what I marvel about most is the momentum on our side. I must decide what direction we want to go with a tremendous amount of wisdom and care because I have a duty to these women overseas and our employees in Toronto. I’d like to grow our Rafiki program! We’ve achieved a lot on a fashion level working with bones and beads in Kenya and now we’re bringing an Artisans line to Ecuador. These items are handmade with love and we’re able to make them accessible to a wide audience. This idea is really luxurious because it’s the authenticity, care and uniqueness that also goes into designing couture pieces!
On that point, you’re proving that being socially conscious is stylish and a lifestyle that anyone can adopt by making the right choices. How do you see Artisans shaping the future of social conscious consumerism?
I think we’re at a very interesting flection point where there’s an expectation from millennials that items in the market are thoughtful. I always want our products to stand on their own because I don’t want them to be something purchased out of guilt—consumers should choose them because they feel empowered! We’re headed toward a caring economy and enterprises will be awarded for authentic products and what they stand for.
Women empowering women: Natalie Portman’s journey to Kenya
With a string of beads in one hand, Natalie Portman threw her head back and laughed, flashing her contagious smile while sitting cross-legged with a group of Maasai women under the Kenyan sun. The layers of beaded necklaces encircling their necks jingled softly as they made jokes and exchanged stories of motherhood. This jewellery is made from the same beads Natalie held in her hands and like these women have been taught from their mothers, she learned the tradition of beading the Maasai way. It’s been a part of preserving their culture and it’s also been a way to earn a better life. Through our Artisans program, each woman makes a sustainable source of income from beading, allowing her to afford things she never imagined like fixing a leaky roof and paying for her children’s school fees. There are many similarities that connect us all as women, but Natalie also learned we share a common goal: to make the best possible life for our families.
Sitting down with Natalie, we realized she’s known as much for her advocacy as she is for celebrity. She’s been a long-time friend of ours as a Free The Children ambassador through the Power Of A Girl project and supported the Kisaruni All-Girls Secondary School in Kenya. She even donated her Rodarte designer gown—worn at the premier of Black Swan. In 2012, the proceeds of Natalie’s Dior lipstick went toward 24 full scholarships for each of the students attending Kisaruni. Earlier this year, she travelled to Kenya with us to meet the very girls who received those scholarships and learned how our projects are empowering both the current and new generations of women.
What was it like to bead with the Maasai women?
It was really wonderful to bead with all the women from the women’s empowerment centre who have been making these Rafikis for generations upon generations. Free The Children has enabled them to find a market for their Rafikis and extend the benefits of this old art form. It was also interesting to hear how their lives have been changed and how this business empowers the family to be able to earn more collectively as a group and send more kids to school, eat better, have better health care and better shelter, and generally improve their family’s position.
What do you think about their traditional style of beading?
That’s the beauty of this project—it’s preserving and encouraging a cultural tradition rather than trying to impose any sort of external values or aesthetics on the society. And they have such a beautiful aesthetic, so colourful and so traditional. This work really just continues that tradition.
What was it like visiting Kisaruni and meeting the students you supported?
It was so inspiring to meet these young women, they’re so motivated and just really squeezing every ounce of possibility out of this opportunity—it’s impressive. I keep saying it, but it’s crazy they are studying nonstop. They have to drag the girls out of the library so they get some sleep! They take so much pride in what they’re doing. They’re ambitious and when you ask them what they want to be, they say, ‘doctor, lawyer, engineer, journalist.’ All of them said that they would want to be president one day. They all want to come back to their own communities and improve them. American kids who ever complained about school—myself among them—you think, if only I had known what a luxury school is, I’d never take it for granted.
Why do you believe it’s important to support girls’ education?
There’s been so much research about how once girls are educated, the whole society blooms because they get married later and are not child brides. Their work potential rises, their ability to care for their own and their family’s health improves, their own and their family’s nutrition improves, the ability to provide for their family improves. Investing in a girl is the best seed to plant a complete, thriving community. If you want to help an entire community, it’s the simplest seed you can plant that will really bear fruit. Being a woman and once having been a girl, it’s personal—you relate in a different way.
What does it mean to have the chance to travel to Kenya?
I think it really could be a life changing, really important experience for a lot of people and it’s a totally safe, beautiful, comfortable, environment. I’ve done a lot of trips to developing parts of the world and this is by far the most comfortable—I would bring my kids here.
How do you get 580 teens out of bed on a Saturday morning?
For starters, you could tell them they get to relive the best week of their summer—and reunite with some of the most incredible people they’ve ever met. Reunions were definitely one of the main attractions at the ME to WE Annual Launch Party, held September 12 in Toronto. You only had to walk a few steps into the entrance of the Cineplex theatre where the event was held before being greeted by a cacophony of excited chatter. Every few feet, another group gathered, each reminiscing over their shared experiences on ME to WE Trips and at Take Action Camp over the summer.
“We’re all lifelong friends now and we have this deep connection—even though the trip was only two weeks, we feel like we’ve known each other forever,” says Ashley, 18, who spent the reunion catching up with several fellow travellers. The group was thrilled to get to see their facilitator, Lindy, again, who had flown in from Arizona for the event.
“The best thing about camp was definitely all the people I got to meet and all the new friends I made,” says Chloe, 14, who met up with a group of fellow campers while waiting to meet ME to WE Speaker Spencer West. Spencer was one of several special guests at the launch party, also joined by ME to WE co-founder Marc Kielburger and the Kenyan Boys Choir, a choral group that showcases Africa’s rich culture through their music.
After all the squealing and hugging and reuniting was (mostly) done, the rest of the launch party was a whirlwind of activity: speeches from Marc and Spencer, a performance by the Kenyan Boys Choir, a special session for parents and a (more fun) session for campers and travellers filled with sneak peeks about the upcoming year and exciting updates about the impact everyone helped make in the past year. Everyone loved seeing a video from the first graduation at Kisaruni All Girls Secondary School in Kenya and a highlight reel from a nationwide WE Day broadcast. Plus, there was no shortage of photo ops, chances for campers and travellers to share their stories, and even a chance to get a head start on planning the next summer’s camp and trip experiences.
At the end of the day, everyone was a little bit sad to go home, but mostly they were excited about what’s to come—because although their trip and camp experiences may be over, it’s really only the beginning of their journey with ME to WE. Everyone left the launch party more inspired than ever to make a difference in their local and global communities.
As for us? We’re already counting down until next year’s launch party.
There’s no point talking about how short the summer is. That’s because at ME to WE, our summers are endless. Hundreds of travellers who have joined us on ME to WE Trips over the past few months have contributed to what we call “A Summer of Everlasting Change,” creating a ripple effect across geographic boundaries. It’s the kind that has made a real difference on the ground in Free The Children communities and improved livelihoods. It’s the kind of positive impact that has also changed the lives of our travellers who return home motivated to turn their passion for social justice into action by continuing the change in their own communities. Simply put, it’s the kind of change that’s bigger than all of us and will continue for generations to come.
We’ve compiled some highlights from this spectacular summer so you can see just how much we’re changing the world, together!
Flowing water in Barind, India
This summer, a new clean water system officially opened in Barind, one of Free The Children’s partner communities in India, an effort made possible by the community working side-by-side with ME to WE travellers.
When we first partnered with Barind, the community relied on one well and three hand pumps. It didn’t have the capacity to serve everyone who relied on the well for cleaning, cooking, and drinking. The project was also deteriorating, causing the quality of water and access to water to decline over time. The well often dried up in the summer heat and in times of drought. With little access to water in their community, people in Barind had to walk several kilometres to source water, carrying it back home in heavy containers. This job was often given to young girls, which kept them out of school because of the hours spent hauling water back and forth. Furthermore, this water collected was contaminated and put families at risk of waterborne illness.
Access to clean, safe water has many positive impacts on a community. School latrines can be kept clean and well-maintained. Girls can attend school instead of spending hours collecting water. Families can use the water to cook healthy meals, clean their households and bathe. Instead of worrying about getting sick from waterborne illnesses, children can focus on their studies and parents are able to work to support their families.
A new health clinic in Mondaña, Ecuador
There’s an indigenous Kichwa term that we use a lot at Free The Children—minga. Translated into English, it means “a coming together of people for the greater good.” For the people of Mondaña, it means “transformation”. A remote community in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, this summer, travellers and local families came together here to break ground on a new health clinic that would ensure the healthy futures of hundreds of people.
Until now, the community only had access to a small clinic that was outdated and beginning to fall apart. Since this area is so remote with little access to health care, the clinic was also relied on by 10 other communities along the Napo River. When it’s complete, the new clinic will provide improved access to medical care for hundreds in the surrounding area.
We also finished construction on Mondaña’s first clean water project! For months, people in Mondaña have worked tirelessly in partnership with Free The Children and ME to WE travellers, coming out for countless mingas to finish the project. Now, every single house on the right side of the river in Mondaña has access to clean water!
Across the river on the left side of Mondaña, work is moving forward on a new water pipeline that will carry and filter water from a river deep in the jungle. When the project is complete, everyone in Mondaña will have access to safe, clean drinking water, helping community members avoid waterborne illnesses and enjoy healthier, productive lives.
Thanks to supporters like you, transformational stories like these are possible not just in Mondaña and Barind, but in communities around the world. Now, back home from their summer adventures, ME to WE travellers are hard at work planning to turn their trip inspiration into action—we can’t wait to see what they come up with!
Be part of our story—and contribute to more incredible change overseas.
Naomy lives in Salabwek, a small community in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, surrounded by the acacia trees and rolling hills of the vast savannah. Her parents—hard-working farmers—struggled through droughts and dry seasons, making it impossible to grow enough food to feed her family and earn an income at the local market. Buying school supplies was not a priority with so many mouths to feed. Naomy’s biggest dream was to go to high school, but with every hour she spent each day fetching water for her family from the Mara River, the thought of high school drifted further from her mind. Then, everything began to change.
Naomy’s journey to high school
When Naomy’s community partnered with Free The Children, her dream was reignited. Naomy watched as Salabwek community leaders began working in tandem with Free The Children and ME to WE travellers to plan and build sustainable solutions. First to be constructed were new classrooms, followed by a community well. Access to clean water meant Naomy wouldn’t have to worry about the waterborne diseases that often kept her out of school, and gave her parents a source of water for their crops. With new-found hope and excitement, Naomy worked extra hard in school and earned a place at Kisaruni—Free The Children’s first all-girls secondary school. Today, she’s a proud Kisaruni graduate, and hopes to earn a scholarship to university and become a banker.
Congrats, Naomy!
On a ME to WE Trip, visit a Free The Children community and build meaningful connections with people like Naomy. Learn more and start your journey here.
Aside from the s’more-eating contests, fun-packed games, endless fits of laughter and passion-filled discussions about world change, there’s even more coolness that sets Take Action Camp apart from any other. It’s a place to connect with other like-minded people who share the same drive to make a difference and leave a positive impact on the world. It’s a place where you’ll discover new ideas, learn about social justice issues and be challenged in ways you’d never expect. It’s a place where you can truly be yourself and let that inner goofball shine.
We wanted to tell you just how cool camp is straight from the awesome mouths of our camp facilitators. There’s a reason why they go back to camp every. single. summer. Check out what they had to say!
MIRA LYON
What’s Camp Magic about?
Camp Magic is that special vibe in the air when everyone is learning, laughing and growing together. My Camp Magic moment is every first campfire of the week when we enjoy s’mores, some silly songs and start to get to know each other.
What’s one thing about leadership you’ve learned from camp?
We learn so much from each other when we’re just open to asking and answering questions.
What’s your favourite camp tradition?
The Minga Games!!!
What’s the most rewarding thing to happen to you at camp?
I discovered that I make a pretty convincing Batman.
What would camp’s song be?
An epic mash-up of every epic summer pump-up jam. Plus some Muppets.
Why should someone go to camp?
It’s the best place in the world to express yourself however you want, discover who you want to be, make some of the best friends in the world, and be completely silly and completely serious within 5 minutes.
What are your camp essentials?
A fanny pack, a water bottle with some hilarious stickers, a giant scarf/shawl/Maasai shuka, a fresh new notebook, a great costume, and some super comfy sweatpants that will smell even better after a night around the campfire.
What’s new this year?
The new Sports & Leadership stream!! Also some amazing new guests, a few fantastic surprises, and all of our campers!!!
What’s your favourite thing to eat around the bonfire?
S’MORES! All day er’y day
AMANDA WAND
What’s Camp Magic about?
There isn’t just one camp magic moment for me. Camp Magic Moments happen all the time. For me, it’s when I can see people start to come out of their shell and start owning their authentic self. To actually see people feel comfortable being themselves and watch them laughing, joking, dancing, and being exactly who they are. That is Camp Magic and it happens every day at camp!
What’s one thing about leadership you’ve learned from camp?
Leadership has many different forms and everyone owns their inner leadership in a different way. This adds a true level of uniqueness to it!
What’s your favourite camp tradition?
Dance parties during all meal times!
What’s the most rewarding thing to happen to you at camp?
I was able to share one of my stories with the whole camp through a speech and to speak with campers afterwards about how my story is a different version of their story. To share in a similar experience and to be able to talk to people about what they are going through, or what they have gone through, has been truly rewarding.
What would camp’s song be?
Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
Why should someone go to camp?
It is the best place in the world to be your true self and make amazing friendships that will last forever.
What are your camp essentials?
S’mores! Comfortable pants and good running shoes.
What’s new this year?
There will be so many new faces, which means so many more friends!
What’s your favourite thing to eat around the bonfire?
S’MORES! And salt and vinegar chips are always good wherever you are!
Our Q&A with photographer and educator Mohammad Ramadan
In a world smothered by selfies, photo shopping and Instagram, Mohammad Ramadan is striving to capture raw moments using his iPhone. He’s been practicing photography for almost eight years and is now a member of the VSCO community though his online photo journal. A passionate science teacher by day from Bahrain, Mohammad has been on three ME to WE Trips with students to Kenya, India and most recently to China. He decided to take to the lens to document their experience in a unique way that he could share with the photography community and those who care about world change. For him, travelling with purpose is the most appealing aspect of a ME to WE Trip because he says he gets to witness his students grow as human beings, serve and become global citizens.
We spoke with Mohammad about his experiences on ME to WE Trips and his most memorable experiences from travelling with his students. All photos were taken well after a relationship was established between his group and the communities he visited.
What do you want people to understand from your photos?
MR: There’s a big gap between the new and older generations. Adults still look down on students and perceive them as too young, as much as we tell them they’re the future. We should be encouraging them by saying, ‘even at this age, you’re able to change things.’ Our students were 14 to 18-years-old, willing to fundraise, travel halfway around the world and sit with kids who have no language in common and try to build a connection—and they did. I think a picture says 1,000 words and I want people to see that kids at a young age can make a change in the lives of other kids and communities on a world level.
MR: We worked with local kids from the community at the school for five days. The first day, there was a group of boys that stood out to be rowdy, naughty and would run around constantly. We paired them with a group of our students that we thought could harness their energy, but the boys just ran circles around them. One student and I decided to venture into their classroom and I watched as she practiced math equations with them on the chalkboard. It was the quietest the boys had ever been. She had connected with them and I told her, she needed to become a teacher because the world needed more like her.
Which photo from your photo journal summarizes the experience the best?
MR: It’s really hard, but I like the photo of one of the local kids on a seesaw with one of my students. The raw emotions, the wall painted with the word ‘friendship’ in the background and the seesaw itself show the connection they’re making. They built that through play and without having to say a word to each other.
How have your students changed since being on the ME to WE Trip? What was their reaction to seeing your photo journal?
MR: Back home, we talked about counting our blessing when we wanted to complain about a First World problem. Anytime a student complains to me, I simply say, ‘count your blessings,’ and they stop for a moment, which is a big change for kids that come from a very small community here. Bahrain is a very tiny island of about 1 million people and half of us are immigrants. They are well travelled but not in the sense that they’ve been immersed in other cultures like they were on a ME to WE Trip.
A lot of them have changed their profile photos to pictures I took and it makes me feel happy knowing they’re appreciated. They took a lot of their own photos on the trip, but they said they were thankful to have my candid shots, instead of selfies and posed pictures. They get that those photos show real, raw emotions that exist for a moment and then are gone.
How was your world view changed since looking through the lens?
MR: I’ve gone through a lot of changes in the last few years—getting married, having a baby—but I’ve always looked at things through a camera lens. I think going on ME to WE Trips has made me realize two important, yet contradictory things: 1) the need to document and capture those tiny but significant moments that can slip away forever and 2) the need to fully immerse yourself in the experience and know when to put the camera down.
As a teacher, what do you advise other teachers do to ensure their students benefit from the experience?
MR: Teachers can get very tense because they’re always thinking about student well-being, safety and health. On a ME to WE Trip, you have to put faith in the facilitators and realize they know better than you because they’re trained in everything. I’ve learned to take a step back and not hover. I also suggest preparing the students ahead of time for the trip. They need to understand what culture shock is. If they’re not properly prepared, it can create a bit of a barrier to the experience.
Do you have plans to practice photography on the side or will you keep it as a hobby?
MR: Both my wife and I are teachers and at some point in our life, I’d like to take on photography full time. It’s a struggle to decide when to give up one for the other, but when the time is right, the signs will tell me.
I really hope the photos I share can relay the emotions that I feel when I’m looking through the lens. The trip experiences are amazing and very organic—not fabricated. When people see them, I want them to realize our world is way more diverse than they think it is. These photos can’t be retaken. They don’t come in a box. For me, photography is one of the elements that keeps the human element alive in your art.
It’s a familiar feeling—that mix of nervousness and excitement at the pit of your stomach. It comes out when something’s new, different and unfamiliar. Seven years ago, Spencer West, ME to WE motivational speaker, was gearing up for his very first day at Take Action Camp and realizing he was about to meet a busload of kids he didn’t know.
But he wouldn’t just be hanging with them around the bonfire and playing games, he would lead, inspire and help them transform their passions into the motivation to make a real difference in the world. It was Spencer’s first time as a camp facilitator and he was pretty nervous.
“As a new staff member, I was trying to figure out what to do and on top of that, I had just moved to a brand new city,” he said.
As the group of new campers stepped off the bus, Spencer felt a smile spread across his face. He could sense many of them were a bit nervous too, but he could already see their potential. This was a group of kids who were going to do something extraordinary.
“The minute I met the kids and started to get to know them, I instantly felt I could settle in and be myself,” said Spencer. “Camp is one of those really cool places that’s not only fun, but a safe place where everyone can be their true selves and talk about the things that really matter to them.”
Now, as he prepares for his return to camp this summer, Spencer knows it’s the still the exact same place he experienced. One where he met one of his best friends, made lasting memories and saw labels disappear. Kids on the soccer team were hanging with kids in the drama club—it was a place where everyone was on an equal playing field and shown real compassion.
“I’ll never forget when we did a talent show, a young girl started playing an instrument and suddenly stopped because she made a mistake. She was on the verge of tears and my heart broke for her, but suddenly, the entire group stood up and started clapping and gave her the encouragement to keep playing.”
And what’s one thing Spencer will always remember about camp?
“The food was soooo good there! When you hear ‘camp,’ you don’t think it’ll be good, but it’s amazing!”
Hang out with Spencer this summer when he returns to Take Action Camp for the first three weeks and learn about social justice and leadership from a real pro!
The sun is out, the snow is long gone, and we’re counting down the days, hours and minutes till school’s out and camp’s in. Check out our top tips for what to pack in your summer camp bag!
the essentials
You know…clothes, toiletries, all those boring-but-necessary items. Make sure to pack a variety of items (tees, long-sleeves, a jacket or warm sweater, pants & shorts) so that no matter what the weather you can be like, ‘no big deal, Mother Nature, I got this.’
Hear this: no one cares what anyone wears at camp. Seriously. Plus your things will probably get dirty, so apart from one special outfit for the banquet or talent show, no need to dress to impress.
Don’t forget your sunglasses & a hat so you can look cool AND stay protected from the sun.
the extras
A disposable or inexpensive camera to capture your favourite moments
A notebook & pen for doodling, daydreaming & writing down all the cool things you learn and ideas you cook up
A good book
Some extra cash for souvenir shopping at the ME to WE store ($20-$50)
A flashlight (great for making spooky faces/playing shadow games)
(psst… please leave your phone, laptop, iPad, pet robot, etc at home. After an hour at camp we promise you won’t even miss ‘em! Camp is all about living in the moment.)
