- H
- G
We have ended this fundraiser! Thank you to everyone who has supported Juan and his team!
This is Gina Barton, CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, writing you. CNH tours was pivotal in setting up the first GoFundMe to help raise funds for The Samba Team, and they have passed the torch on to us to continue fundraising efforts. While to date, we’ve raised $54,008 from the first GoFundMe, this will only cover The Samba Team's basic food costs for the four months they’ve been out of work through the end of June. We’d like to support them through the end of the year, but let me explain why...
Background
While COVID-19 has affected businesses all over the world, tourism-related businesses may be affected for a longer period than most others. While some are fortunate enough to live and operate in wealthier countries where social assistance may be available, in low-income countries, like Ecuador, these programs do not exist.
Ecuador’s finances are among the worst in Latin America. In dealing with the pandemic, the Ecuadorian government does not even have enough cash to pay its civil servants, let alone provide social assistance to unemployed people.
Approximately 70% of the Galapagos economy is directly or indirectly linked to tourism. Because of COVID-19, tourism has been shut down since mid-March. While Galapagos is controlling COVID-19 fairly well (barely 100 cases – almost half of which are the crew members of the Celebrity Flora), the population has been in a strict lock-down mode since late March.
The Samba Team members are among those that face a hard several months, and that stretch will likely last through the end of the year. While they are paid better than average salaries by the Samba owner (the ship is one of the few that has been formally recognized by the national park for its social responsibility) and the crew enjoyed generous gratuities from our travelers, they do not typically have large savings and will increasingly find themselves in a difficult situation.
Cheesemans’ Relationship with The Samba Team
Since 2012, Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris has led 15 in-depth, two-week trips on the Samba to experience the best of the Galapagos with Juan and his team, so approximately 210 people have joined Cheesemans' in the Galapagos. Since 2015, CNH Tours has helped approximately 1,100 people enjoy a wonderful Active Galapagos trip on the Samba. We are coordinating efforts with each other in hopes that we can take care of the basic needs of the families of The Samba Team who rely on these trips to make a livelihood. Thank you to those alumni who have already donated!
Fund-raising objective
This amount would provide basic food for 20 families, who work directly or indirectly with The Samba Team, through the end of this year, all of whom are currently out of work, plus cover the transaction fees that GoFundMe charges (2.9% plus $0.30 per donation). A reasonable amount to cover the basic food costs for a family of four is $500 per month. Staples typically consist of rice, plantain, beans, onions, potatoes, fresh vegetables and fruit, fish, chicken, cooking oil, flour, and sugar.
Distributing Funds
We will distribute these funds evenly among the 20 families regardless if we meet our objective. Funds will be transferred directly from Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris to the Samba owners, who we’ve had a close relationship with since 2012, who will distribute it evenly among the 20 families. The Samba owners will not keep any of these funds.
Comments from our Travelers
The Samba Team consistently receives glowing reviews from the trips we’ve shared with them.
“Juan and his crew went above and beyond to ensure that every individual was treated well. I don't believe I have ever seen a similar level of attention for clients as they provided.” David L. Sparks, 2016
“Juan Manuel Salcedo and crew are top notch. Juan is a terrific leader - great breadth and depth of knowledge, and seems to effortlessly manage his crew and his clients. Always had us at the right place at the right time (for light, animal activity, etc).” Karen Perry, 2019
“I looked forward to each day and had total confidence that Juan and the crew were going to do everything they could to make the experience educational, enjoyable and safe. I felt that they shared in our excitement as we explored and learned about the Galapagos.” LuAnn Ewan, 2017
Thank you for your consideration!
We know many people are in need, but this is one effort we can stand behind confidently; that it is going straight to folks in need, and that supports the Samba owners in providing socially responsible tourism for many years to come.
This is Gina Barton, CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, writing you. CNH tours was pivotal in setting up the first GoFundMe to help raise funds for The Samba Team, and they have passed the torch on to us to continue fundraising efforts. While to date, we’ve raised $54,008 from the first GoFundMe, this will only cover The Samba Team's basic food costs for the four months they’ve been out of work through the end of June. We’d like to support them through the end of the year, but let me explain why...
Background
While COVID-19 has affected businesses all over the world, tourism-related businesses may be affected for a longer period than most others. While some are fortunate enough to live and operate in wealthier countries where social assistance may be available, in low-income countries, like Ecuador, these programs do not exist.
Ecuador’s finances are among the worst in Latin America. In dealing with the pandemic, the Ecuadorian government does not even have enough cash to pay its civil servants, let alone provide social assistance to unemployed people.
Approximately 70% of the Galapagos economy is directly or indirectly linked to tourism. Because of COVID-19, tourism has been shut down since mid-March. While Galapagos is controlling COVID-19 fairly well (barely 100 cases – almost half of which are the crew members of the Celebrity Flora), the population has been in a strict lock-down mode since late March.
The Samba Team members are among those that face a hard several months, and that stretch will likely last through the end of the year. While they are paid better than average salaries by the Samba owner (the ship is one of the few that has been formally recognized by the national park for its social responsibility) and the crew enjoyed generous gratuities from our travelers, they do not typically have large savings and will increasingly find themselves in a difficult situation.
Cheesemans’ Relationship with The Samba TeamSince 2012, Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris has led 15 in-depth, two-week trips on the Samba to experience the best of the Galapagos with Juan and his team, so approximately 210 people have joined Cheesemans' in the Galapagos. Since 2015, CNH Tours has helped approximately 1,100 people enjoy a wonderful Active Galapagos trip on the Samba. We are coordinating efforts with each other in hopes that we can take care of the basic needs of the families of The Samba Team who rely on these trips to make a livelihood. Thank you to those alumni who have already donated!
Fund-raising objective
This amount would provide basic food for 20 families, who work directly or indirectly with The Samba Team, through the end of this year, all of whom are currently out of work, plus cover the transaction fees that GoFundMe charges (2.9% plus $0.30 per donation). A reasonable amount to cover the basic food costs for a family of four is $500 per month. Staples typically consist of rice, plantain, beans, onions, potatoes, fresh vegetables and fruit, fish, chicken, cooking oil, flour, and sugar.
Distributing Funds
We will distribute these funds evenly among the 20 families regardless if we meet our objective. Funds will be transferred directly from Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris to the Samba owners, who we’ve had a close relationship with since 2012, who will distribute it evenly among the 20 families. The Samba owners will not keep any of these funds.
Comments from our TravelersThe Samba Team consistently receives glowing reviews from the trips we’ve shared with them.
“Juan and his crew went above and beyond to ensure that every individual was treated well. I don't believe I have ever seen a similar level of attention for clients as they provided.” David L. Sparks, 2016
“Juan Manuel Salcedo and crew are top notch. Juan is a terrific leader - great breadth and depth of knowledge, and seems to effortlessly manage his crew and his clients. Always had us at the right place at the right time (for light, animal activity, etc).” Karen Perry, 2019
“I looked forward to each day and had total confidence that Juan and the crew were going to do everything they could to make the experience educational, enjoyable and safe. I felt that they shared in our excitement as we explored and learned about the Galapagos.” LuAnn Ewan, 2017
Thank you for your consideration!
We know many people are in need, but this is one effort we can stand behind confidently; that it is going straight to folks in need, and that supports the Samba owners in providing socially responsible tourism for many years to come.