Have you wondered about your sponsored child's community, church and home or if your sponsorship  makes a difference in his or her life? When these questions have been answered you will see Rwanda and Compassion in a new light.

We'll venture deep into the heart of the community and learn what poverty looks like in the developing world.  

However, nothing can compare with meeting your sponsored child and spending one whole day sharing together.

A Compassion sponsor tour is designed to provide you and your family, if you choose to bring them, with a safe yet rich cultural experience while at the same time giving you the opportunity to have a hands-on experience at the local Compassion centers.

Tour Schedule Details:

The Rwanda Sponsor Tour is scheduled for September 7-19, 2008. 

Registration: We suggest you respond quickly, even if you don't have a passport yet, because our trips fill up on a first-come basis. Once we have received your registration along with a deposit of $350.00, we will confirm your place on the tour and you may then purchase your domestic air ticket. The final payment of $3,449.00 is due no later than May 21, 2008.

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.

Included in our tour price are round-trip airfare between Paris and Kilgali, lodging, all meals, travel within Rwanda, 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 Paris, 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. 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.
 

Days 1-2: Welcome to Rwanda

Sunday and Monday, September 7-8: Time to meet in Paris for our trip to Rwanda! After an overnight flight to Nairobi, a short layover, and another flight we arrive in the capital city of Kigali. After lunch, orientation, and a welcome we visit the National Genocide Memorial.

Days 3-5: Learning About Compassion and Service Day

Tuesday through Thursday, September 9-11: These days we visit our first Compassion student centers and begin learning about child development. The staff and children have been anticipating our arrival, so we're sure to have fun. Wednesday is a day of service. Whether we're helping the children with arts and crafts, cleaning, playing games or serving lunch, it will be a wonderful time.

Day 6: Our Big Day!

Friday, September 12: We spend a very special day of laughter, hugs, stories, and fun with our sponsored children. This is what we've waited for, so treasure every minute!

Day 7: Student Center Activities

Saturday, September 13: Today we visit another student center on the busiest day of the week, and discover the gifts of the center staff facilitating so many children's activities. Included will be time for home visits so we can get a glimpse of daily life in Rwanda.

Day 8: Worshipping Together

Sunday, September 14: This morning we join our brothers and sisters at a partner church that oversees one of our student centers. What a joyous time of praise and worship! Later we shop for those beautiful gifts and souvenirs of our time in this East African country.

Day 9: Country Office Visit

Monday, September 15: Today we visit our Compassion Rwanda Office. Spending time with the men and women who are so influential in ministering to our children gives us an excellent opportunity to ask questions. We'll enjoy lunch together and continue to get to know the staff.

Days 10 and 11: Tourist Activities

Tuesday and Wednesday, September 16–17: It's time to enjoy some of the spectacular natural beauty of Rwanda as we travel outside Kigali to the Akagera National Park. Hopefully we can see many of the different animals that live there – of course from a distance and not too close! Overnight in the safari lodge will give us opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous sunset and sunrise. Bring your camera!

Days 12 and 13: Traveling Back Home

Thursday and Friday, September 18-19: Our closing time together includes an opportunity to share our memories as well as prepare for our transition home. The afternoon flight takes us to Nairobi for an overnight flight back to Paris. Arriving into Paris the morning of the 19^th we make our connections back home to the United States. We're changed people with passionate hearts for Rwanda and Compassion!

RESERVATIONS should be made well in advance and require a nonrefundable deposit of $350.00/person by January 4, 2008. Final payment of $3,449.00 is due no later than May 21, 2008.  

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

All deposits are nonrefundable.

50% of the tour cost will be required for cancellations 59-31 days prior to the Sponsor Tour.

100% of the tour cost will be required for cancellations 30-0 days prior to the Sponsor Tour.

Only written cancellations accepted.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: Air transportation as included in the tour is based on economy-class transportation and is subject to all rules and regulations governing these fares.  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 re-entry, when required, in which case a cancellation charge will be assessed; (4) failure to follow instructions including but not limited to check-in and check-out 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.