Compassion's ministry in Ethiopia includes all of our core programs, so you'll learn more about your partnership as we visit different child development centers. 

Leadership Development Program students are ready to guide us through their university and explain the difference sponsorship made. Child Survival Program caregivers want to share their experiences and show the difference this program is making in caring for their newborns or nurturing their toddlers.

Of course there will be plenty to see and experience as we spend time with children and staff in the various child development centers. Throughout our time there we'll see firsthand how Complementary Interventions add to these programs.

Most important is that very special day you spend with your sponsored child. There's fun and excitement planned but also time for you to just share hugs and smiles. Oh, the memories to take home!

Ethiopia is a land of contrasts and extremes. This won't be a leisure trip, but will definitely be one that will move you. As you read the itinerary below, please prayerfully consider joining our 2010 Ethiopia Sponsor Tour.

Days 1-2: Meet and Travel

Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7: We can finally pack our bags and head to Washington, D.C., for our evening flight on Ethiopian Airlines. After the long trip over the Atlantic and a brief fueling stop in Rome, we arrive Sunday night in Addis Ababa. We immediately transfer to our hotel, check in and rest for the night.

Days 3-4: Addis Ababa

Monday and Tuesday, March 8-9: Our tour starts with a special time at the Compassion Ethiopia office. Here you get to know the dedicated and incredible staff, the link between you and your child. As we see the different departments at work, we get a better understanding of all it takes to operate a country office. Tomorrow we're off to a Child Survival Program center for time with the babies and caregivers. Besides testimonies from the mothers, the specialists will show us their activities for stimulating and developing the babies and toddlers. We can visit a couple of nearby homes to share with the mothers as they care for their babies.

Day 5: Our Special Day!

Wednesday, March 10:  Our sponsored children join us for a day of planned activities, as well as time to share as little family units. Giggles and hugs abound. This is the very reason you came all this way, so make the most of your special day.

Days 6-9: Bahar Dar

Thursday through Sunday, March 11-14: Flying to Bahar Dar gives us a change of scenery. Upon arrival we check in to our hotel, enjoy lunch, and then go off to a child development center. This evening we are inspired by testimonies of formerly sponsored children who are now fulfilled Christian adults. One day we'll spend doing light work at a center. The other one will be spent sharing VBS stories, arts, crafts and sports, as well as serving the children lunch. Visits to nearby homes will show us the difference in the two areas of Ethiopia. Sunday morning we'll worship with our brothers and sisters and share the Word of God together. After lunch we'll return to Addis Ababa. 

Days 10-11: Addis Ababa Again

Monday and Tuesday, March 15-16: Today we'll focus on the end stage of our program. Leadership Development Program students will be our hosts for the day as they share their former child development centers, universities and communities with us. Of course, we'll have to have time to shop for  souvenirs and gifts from this fascinating East African country. Before departing on our late-evening flight, we'll spend time processing this experience and how we'll share it with our families and friends.

Day 12: Going Home

Wednesday, March 17: After our brief refuel in Rome, we head back across the ocean. Arriving in Washington, D.C., we have plenty of time to make connecting flights home or enjoy our nation's capital. Either way we're not the same because of our time in Ethiopia.

Tour Schedule Details:

Registration: Our trips fill up quickly on a first-come basis, so it is important to register by Sept. 3, 2009. Once we have received your registration along with a deposit of $380, we will confirm your place on the tour and you may then purchase your domestic air ticket. The final payment of $3,550 is due no later than Nov. 24, 2009.

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 $3,930 per person for double occupancy.

Included in our tour price are round-trip airfare between Washington Dulles International Airport and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, lodging, all meals, travel within Ethiopia, 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 Washington Dulles International Airport, 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 $380 per person which is due by Sept. 3, 2009. Final payment of $3,550 is due no later than Nov. 24, 2009. 

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 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 the 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.