One of the Caribbean's more obscure locales, the Dominican Republic is a big country with spectacular, varied scenery. Majestic mountains, white sandy beaches and the region's oldest, most cosmopolitan city, Santo Domingo, will delight you. Yet it is the beauty of her people and the faces of her children that will capture your heart.

Have you wondered how your monthly sponsorship really affects a child and if that impact is sustainable over time? Do you wonder if the letters you write mean anything, and for that matter, if you really matter to the child pictured in the photo on your refrigerator? A Sponsor Tour to the Dominican Republic will answer these questions and many more. Nothing can prepare you for that moment when your eyes meet those of the child you sponsor for the first time, or that final hug that requires no translation. In that moment you will say, "It was worth every penny and every inconvenience – and I am changed."

Our adventure will take us to several different Compassion-assisted child development centers in the area of San Pedro de Macoris and La Romana. We'll venture deeper into the heart of the community, the home, where you will experience the richest expression of this culture. As a ministry team, we will work together to not just observe this culture but to dive in through hands-on mission elements and face-to-face ministry among the children. See you there!

Day 1: Our Journey Begins

Saturday, May 1: A brief orientation helps us get to know each other and prepares us for this unique experience. We arrive in Santo Domingo in the late evening to get a good night of rest and prepare for the life-changing week ahead.

Day 2: Expand Your Horizons

Sunday, May 2: We will start our journey by becoming familiar with our new surroundings and culture as we worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ and see the sights. This afternoon we'll travel to La Romana where we will prepare for our week of ministry in the Dominican Republic.

Days 3-5: Minister to the Children and Child Development Staff

Monday, May 3 – Wednesday, May 5: Over the next few days we will participate in hands-on service elements that benefit the children and the center staff members who serve them day-to-day, and interact with the children through vacation Bible school-style activites, which we will plan and prepare in advance as at team. You'll also learn more about one of Compassion's newest programs, the Child Survival Program, and interact with the mothers and their babies.

Day 6: Experience Your Ministry of Compassion in Action

Thursday, May 6: Today is the day you have been waiting for: when we meet the children we sponsor in the Dominican Republic. It is sure to be a highlight as the Lord continue to knit our hearts together through the memories made today.

Friday, May 7: This morning we meet the staff at the country office in this country. You'll have another opportunity to ask questions and learn more about your ministry of Compassion. Then, in the afternoon, you'll have time for shopping. The Dominican Republic is known for such products as coffee, natural vanilla and natural almond flavoring.

Day 8: Bringing the Tour to a Close

Saturday, May 8: After a week of immersing ourselves in the beauty and grandeur of this beautiful country, tasting a bit of the culture through our visits to the Compassion student centers, and investing in the lives of children, we cannot help but be inspired and changed by our experiences. Armed with knowledge, equipped with our personal stories and compelled to act, we return to take up our calling as champions for children in poverty. 

Tour Schedule Details:

Registration: Our trips fill up quickly on a first-come basis, so it is important to register by Oct. 9, 2009.  Once we have received your registration along with a deposit of $175, we will confirm your place on the tour and you may then purchase your domestic air ticket. The final payment of $2,285 is due no later than Jan. 10, 2010.

Please click on the Register Now button below to complete the registration form online. If you'd rather register by mail, click on the link to the printable Registration Form above right, below the photo.

Price: The cost of this tour is $2,460 per person for double occupancy.

Included in our tour price are round-trip airfare between Miami and Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, lodging, all meals, travel within the Dominican Republic, tips, your child's travel, guides and translators during the tour, admission fees, departure tax and administrative costs.

Costs not included in the tour price are transportation to and from Miami, passport and incidentals such as snacks, additional beverages, laundry, phone calls, film and other personal items. You may want to bring extra spending money for shopping at the local markets.

Safety and Preparation: This tour will be moderate in difficulty because of impoverished conditions. Also, there will be some walking, rides on bumpy roads, and long days. We will have a work element in this tour.

Compassion constantly monitors the safety of our destination countries and will make any adjustments necessary to protect our tour participants, sponsored children and in-country staff. We believe it is important to provide safe, comfortable accommodations, traditional meals and reliable transportation so that your focus can be on what God is teaching you and the impact of the experience rather than concern for your personal safety and well-being.

Please read the Tour Conditions and General Information document before finalizing your decision.

BACKGROUND CHECK: 

In order to ensure the safety of our children and determine eligibility to travel with Compassion, we now require all travelers (over the age of 18) to complete a criminal background check. Please visit https://www.ministryopportunities.org/USCITours to complete your online background check at the time of registration. If you are unable to complete this online, please contact us and we will send you a paper form for you to fill out and return. Compassion uses a third-party vendor, Protect My Ministry (www.protectmyministry.com) to process background checks. The results of your background check are confidential and all personal information is encrypted and secure. 

RESERVATIONS should be made well in advance and require a nonrefundable deposit of $175 per person. Final payment of $2,285 is due no later than Jan. 10, 2010. Additional fuel surcharges are assessed at time of ticketing and due no later than 60 days prior to departure.

AIR TRANSPORTATION and FUEL SURCHARGES: 
Air transportation as included in the tour is based on economy-class transportation and is subject to all rules and regulations governing these fares. Fuel surcharges are added on a per-ticket basis at time of confirmation. In the event these surcharges are increasingly higher than budget estimates, we may require additional funds to cover these surcharges. We will communicate any pricing changes immediately. 

In the event that you need to cancel your trip, please refer to our cancellation policy below:

All deposits are nonrefundable.

Fifty percent of the tour cost will be required for cancellations 59-31 days prior to the sponsor tour.

One hundred percent of the tour cost will be required for cancellations 30-0 days prior to the sponsor tour.

Only written cancellations are accepted.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL reserves the right to adjust or alter any travel program when necessary or desirable for the protection, safety or improvement of said travel program, or when local conditions do not permit operation as published. COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL reserves the right to accept or deny participants application at its sole discretion.
RESPONSIBILITY: COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL makes arrangements with airlines, hotels, and other independent parties to provide you with te travel services you purchase. These parties are independent suppliers over whom we have no direct control. In the absence of negligence on our part, we are not responsible for any claims, losses, damages, costs or expenses arising out of injury, accident or death; damage, loss or delay of baggage or other property; or delay, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration, whether physical or mental, resulting from (1) the act or omission of any party other than COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL or its employees; (2) mechanical breakdown, government actions, weather or other factors beyond our control; (3) failure to obtain documents, passports, visas and health certificates valid through the date of reentry, when required, in which case a cancellation charge will be assessed; (4) failure to follow instructions including but not limited to check-in and checkout times and baggage handling; (5) cancellation or change for any reason in the travel services offered; and (6) medical or health problems or physical disabilities. COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL reserves the right to cancel or alter the travel services at its discretion, except as otherwise noted herein. In the event of change, COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL will try to substitute comparable services; in the event of complete cancellation by COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL, we shall refund all monies paid to us. COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL will not be responsible for any other cost incurred by participants.