Not known for the beauty or prestige of other Caribbean islands, this unique country is ripe for change and it is this generation of children -- including your sponsored child -- who will be the change agent. Have you wondered who greets the child you sponsor when he/she arrives at the Compassion child development center? What is his community like? Does my sponsorship really make a difference in her life? Well, wonder no more! Join with other Compassion sponsors who have a heart to minister to the poor, and together we'll serve them and encourage them to write the next chapter of Haitian history.

This tour is not for the faint of heart. It will be difficult emotionally, spiritually and physically, but if God is calling you to be part of this revival team, He will enable you and equip you to meet the challenges that come during the tour. You'll visit several different Compassion child development centers, like the one your child attends. We'll venture even deeper into the heart of the community, the home, where you will learn what poverty looks like in the developing world and how your partnership with Compassion International not only benefits a child, but that child's whole family and her greater community as well. As great as these experiences will be, nothing can compare with the opportunity to meet the child you sponsor and spend the whole day making memories.

Day 1: Our Journey Begins

Saturday, March 20: Our journey begins with a brief orientation to help us get to know each other and prepare ourselves for what God has in store for us. We will arrive in the late evening, with time to get settled and prepare for our ministry together in Haiti.

Day 2: Worship, Haitian Style

Sunday, March 21: Our tour will begin by immersing ourselves in Haitian culture as we worship with our new brothers and sisters. After an afternoon of orientation and preparation for our ministry activities, we will learn about Compassion's Leadership Development Program and meet some of the emerging young leaders who are currently part of this program in Haiti.

Days 3 - 5: Expanding Your Heart

Monday, March 22 – Wednesday, March 24: We'll visit Compassion child development centers where we will work together to serve the church and staff by participating in a service project. We will also minister to the children through vacation Bible school activities that we will plan and prepare in advance. Additionally, we will experience the Child Survival Program, which serves the youngest and most fragile of the children in Haiti.

Day 6: Connecting With the Child You Are Releasing From Poverty

Thursday, March 25: You'll spend a very special day filled with laughter, hugs, stories and fun with the incredible child or children you sponsor. The Compassion staff has planned a day that you and your sponsored child will never forget. This is what you've waited for, so treasure every moment! Tonight, with the memories of the day still fresh in your heart, you'll meet several remarkable young people who represent the thousands of children whose lives have been forever changed by the ministry of Compassion, and your passion to "release children from poverty in Jesus' name" will be set ablaze.

Days 7 - 8: Bringing Our Experience to a Close

Friday, March 26: Today, we will decompress a little as we visit the Compassion Haiti office and learn more about their vision and effectiveness of ministry in this country. This afternoon there will be time for shopping and some sight-seeing.

Saturday, March 27: 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 child development centers, and investing in the lives of children, our adventure has come to a close. Today will be a great opportunity to reflect and consider what impact this experience will have when we return home. We will return with hearts prepared to answer the call to, "Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves" as we share with whomever God lays on our hearts the experiences we have had this week.

Tour Schedule Details:

Registration: Our trips fill up quickly on a first-come basis, so it is important to register by September 3, 2009. Once we have received your registration along with a deposit of $150, we will confirm your place on the tour and you may then purchase your domestic air ticket. The final payment of $2,372.00 is due no later than December 1, 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 $2,522.00 per person for double occupancy.

Included in our tour price are round-trip airfare between Miami International Airport and Port Au Prince, Haiti,  lodging, all meals, travel in-country, 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 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.

RESERVATIONS should be made well in advance and require a nonrefundable deposit of $150 per person which is due by Sept. 3, 2009. Final payment of $2,372 is due no later than Dec. 1, 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.

REFUNDS / CANCELLATION 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.