One of the most important components of our expedition in the Upper Amazon in Peru is to learn about, appreciate, and interact with the local people who inhabit this amazing region of our planet. Today we visited the lively Amazonas Community. We were greeted by the locals, who were eager to share their lifestyle and their culture with us. Minga Perú is the nonprofit organization that Lindblad chose as beneficiary of the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund for the conservation of the Upper Amazon. Minga is a Quechua word that means “collaborative community work.” Our joint dream — which is becoming a reality — is to design a sustainable and equitable future for communities in this part of the world. By empowering local women, Minga Perú seeks to improve the lives of the people in this region. The generous and constant funds that our guests have provided are vital for the well-being of many people in the area.