Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs | Rwanda FAQs
General FAQs:
Rwanda FAQs:
General FAQs:
How are Metta Journeys trips different from other vacations and retreats?
Metta Journeys trips are a unique combination of travel and philanthropy, giving participants the opportunity to make lasting connections with people from different cultures. Each of our trips is tightly coordinated with a partner organization, ensuring that you will leave with a good understanding of how that organization works and the benefits it delivers to its clients.
Our goal is to ensure your comfort and safety as you travel to far-flung places and encounter people with vastly different lifestyles. We provide a high level of hospitality not found on more rustic trips, offering the best local accommodation, and an on-site concierge. We choose accommodation and transportation which may cost more than other locally available alternatives, but which we feel will provide you with the highest level of security and comfort. We offer these high standards of travel so that you can feel comfortable and safe, and use your energy and resources to fully connect and engage with those you meet.
Some of our trips will include yoga; however, those trips should not be thought of as typical yoga retreats. Because much of our trip experience is based on the interaction and connection with others, our trips are outward-focused, rather than the inward-focused experience common, and expected, on most true “retreats”. Our trips do not have as much time for aloneness and contemplation as one might expect on a typical retreat.
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What do the prices stated on the website include and what do they not include?
Unless otherwise noted, the stated price includes: Lodging, land transportation, professional guiding, memorial entry fees, taxes, and most meals.
Prices do not include: International airfare, insurance (medical and evacuation insurance strongly recommended), soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, gratuities, and items outside of the itinerary.
Please note: Most of our travelers prefer single occupancy rooms due to the very full schedule and emotional nature of our journeys, with their interaction of people from different cultures, geographies and circumstances. Should you desire to share a room, you are responsible for finding a roommate; Metta Journeys does not provide a matching service. Any desired changes to your rooming status intra-trip may result in additional charges, are often difficult, and cannot be guaranteed.
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Why do you require a donation directly to the Metta Journeys’ partner organization?
All Metta Journeys trips are designed to raise money and awareness for various programs doing important work on behalf of women and children.
We require a donation for two reasons:
- We want to make sure that our trip participants are serious about participating in the work of our partner organization.
- We understand that visits to our partner organizations require much preparation and effort on their part and take time away from their normal programs—time for which they need to be compensated.
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Are portions of the trip fees and/or the required donation tax-deductible?
All Metta Journeys trips require a donation directly to our partner charity, and you will receive a letter confirming that donation directly from the relevant organization. In general, this donation should be tax-deductible under US law, and may also be tax deductable under other countries' tax codes. However, always check with your tax advisor to be sure. Other portions of the trip might be deductible depending upon your line of work and tax situation. Again, check with your tax advisor.
Metta Journeys makes no representation about the tax implications of the monies paid to us or our partners.
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Given that Metta Journeys’ stated goal is to benefit women and girls, do your trips accept men as participants?
Of course—we welcome men! Metta Journeys trips are designed to foster understanding and connection; everyone benefits from exposure to different perspectives and viewpoints.
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Can I bring my child on a Metta Journeys trip?
We recognize that traveling with your children and exposing them to the world and its inhabitants is one of the most fulfilling responsibilities of parenting. We plan to have trips which will include children, especially when our partner organization is one working directly with children, and those trips will be marked as such on our website and other materials. In the absence of such notice, please assume that Metta Journeys trips are for adults (21+ years old) only.
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How many people are on each trip?
We keep our trips intimate in size, with only 20 guests per trip, affording you a more personal experience with everyone you meet, including the local staff and clients of our partner organization and your fellow travellers.
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How should I go about getting a visa?
You won't always need a visa for every country, so check with the embassy of the country in question to see if you do. To get a visa, you can go to the embassy site of the country in question, and you can also use a visa service such as Zierer Visa Services in the US (www.zvs.com). Visa services sometimes have more updated information, and you can talk to a live person at anytime. Either way, be sure to have all documentation, which will usually include a copy of your travel arrangements, in order when submitting your application. Allow plenty of time for your passport to be returned to you before the trip.
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What is the approximate cost of travel insurance?
The cost of travel insurance depends on a number of variables including the cost of your airfare and land package. We suggest going to a site such as www.insuremytrip.com to get an idea of cost.
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Do I need to have special health insurance for the trip?
That depends on your policy. Before travelling on a trip, Metta Journeys strongly recommends that you review your personal health insurance to ensure you have coverage appropriate to meet your needs, and the needs of your family and dependants, in case of any loss of property, or accident, injury or death.
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My company is willing to match the donation I am making as part of my payment for the Metta Journeys trip, but only if I send the donation through our foundation's website (not if I send it through Metta Journeys). Can I donate directly to the foundation and then provide you with evidence of my donation, rather than sending it through Metta Journeys?
Please do take advantage of your company’s generosity to increase the size of your donation. Send us a copy of a page printed from your company’s website showing your donation, or other evidence that the donation has indeed been made.
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Rwanda FAQs:
What’s the weather like in Rwanda during May-June?
This is the end of the “long-rain” season in Rwanda. Temperatures in Kigali will range from 55–80°F (13-27C°). The mountains will be cooler; the average high temperature there is 70° (21°C). We can expect frequent thunderstorms. You should bring layered clothing to accommodate a range of temperatures.
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Can we bring gifts for our sisters and/or other women that WFWI supports?
Yes, here are the things that have been requested:
- For children:
school supplies, such as pencils, pencil sharpeners, notebooks, erasers, etc.
- For the women:
small toiletries (moisturizer, Chapstick, soap, nothing too fancy), "cheater" glasses (the kind you buy at the drugstore that are basically glorified magnifying glasses) for women involved in knitting or doing close handiwork, flip flops.
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What does my $1000 donation fund?
You are able to choose how your donation is spent. Here are the two options:
- direct the entire $1000 to WFWI for general expenses purposes
- choose to sponsor one sister (approximately $354/year) and have the remainder ($646) of your donation used for WFWI general expenses. You can let us know your choice on your credit card authorization form.
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If I already have a sister through WFWI, does that count as part of my donation?
We think it's great if you already have a sister, but we are still asking for the full $1000 donation. With that, it is our hope that you will choose to sponsor another sister, whom you will meet on the trip!
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If I already have a past or present WFWI sister in Rwanda (that I sponsored separate from the Metta Journeys trip), can you help me meet her while I’m over there?
WFWI will try to find your sister for you and tell her you are visiting, but, for logistical reasons, neither we nor they can guarantee that you will be able to meet with her while you are in Kigali. We can guarantee, however, that you will meet the sister you sponsor through the Metta Journeys trip.
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Do I need a Visa when travelling to Rwanda?
A valid passport is mandatory. Visas are not required for nationals of the USA, Germany, Canada, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and the DRC. For further information, please call the Rwandan embassy or mission nearest you or visit www.gov.rw.
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