Should You Plan a Custom Visit or Take a Group Trip?
If you would rather have all the details of your travel planned for you and share your adventure with other Compassion sponsors, you may prefer a Group Trip.
Unlike a Custom Visit, Group Trips have fixed dates and costs that include most of your travel, such as flights, hotels, meals and activities in the country. Although the cost of a Group Sponsor Trip is significant, all the details of your travel are planned for you, and you would be traveling within a group.
On a Group Trip, your sponsored child (along with those of the other sponsors on the trip) will be brought to the location of the group for one special fun day. You will also have the chance to see Compassion at work in various settings and to immerse yourself in the culture of the country.
For more information on Group Trips, including upcoming trips and cost, please see our Group Trips page. For the minimum age of participants and other questions, please see the Group Trips FAQs.
Custom Visits Testimonials
When we arrived at the project, our Compassion host called Guadalupe's name, and before I knew it, she was running out the door and in my arms. In that moment, the Compassion sponsorship was so much more than letters mailed to a far-off place, or $38 on my credit card statement. It was a real live little girl, with curly hair, a mischievous smile, and some of the brightest eyes I've ever seen. — Meagan
My relationship with Alpha is really special because he is close to the same age as me and so we can be real friends as opposed to just sponsored and sponsor. We had such a great time taking selfies together and just goofing around-it was a totally different experience than meeting my younger kids who are a bit shyer and more reserved. Alpha was so excited to have me there that he couldn't stop holding my hand the whole time. It was a really really special visit. Alpha's whole family dressed up and came out to see me, they really welcomed me as part of the family and I felt so comfortable with them I could have stayed for days! — Laura
I didn’t have the time or the funds for one of your tours, so it was wonderful to find out I could do an individual visit! My host and the driver made me feel completely safe as we travelled through the countryside of Rwanda to Angie’s home. It meant so much to get out of the city and see where she actually lives. Thank you again! PS. A big “Thank-you” to my visit specialist who helped set everything up on the US side… she sent me all the info I needed and was so nice to work with! — Bonnie
We saw his eyes light up as he saw us. He and his family hugged and thanked us for all we were doing for him and his family. We were warmly welcomed by the Compassion staff at the site. We were shown Jose’s classroom and his binder with records not only of his grades, but his health checks, family home visits and more. We have had excellent Compassion Visit Hosts, who have helped us make the most of our day with Jose, and who are always looking out for us as we are in a foreign country. José has a treasure box with letters we have written and crafts we have done together—that’s his treasure! We encourage you to write to your Compassion child. If at all possible, visit your Compassion child. It is life-changing both for you and your Compassion child! — Lois and Brad
Meeting my Compassion sponsored child on an individual visit has been the most impactful experience of my life. Nothing can compare to seeing with your own eyes how your child lives while experiencing the difference the church and Compassion project are making in the future of the community. The deep understanding and true friendship that develops during a visit to your sponsored child is worth every penny you spend to get there. As much as that visit will bless your sponsored child and their family, you will come away with a changed heart and a renewed passion for these precious children. — Jessica
Meet Your Custom Visits Team
Our Visits Specialists are a small, hand-picked team of people who love children, love sponsors, and love helping them connect! All of our Visits Specialists have traveled internationally and they understand the kinds of questions you are likely to have when planning your visit. They work closely with the staff in each of our field offices around the world helping coordinate the details of every visit. Each one of our Visits Specialists has helped literally hundreds (and in some cases thousands) of sponsors arrange that one special day that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Nicole
Custom Visit & Project Manager
Nicole has been at Compassion since 2003 and has been part of the Trips & Visits Department since 2007. She has traveled to more than eight Compassion countries, and met more than 20 correspondent and sponsored children during several Custom Visits. Nicole is married, has two children, and enjoys horseback riding in her spare time.
Joni
Individual Visits Specialist
Joni came to Compassion in 2005 and joined the Compassion Experience Department in 2008. She has had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Burkina Faso. She has met two of her sponsored children, and she can attest it is a life-changing experience. Joni loves the mountains, volunteering at her church and reading. "Children are a gift from the Lord; They are a reward from Him." — Psalm127:3 (NLT)
Jessica (Jesse)
Individual Visits Specialist
Jesse has been at Compassion since 2013, serving in many different roles, and she began working as a Visits Specialist in 2015. She has had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala, Zambia, Uganda, and all over Europe. She was born in Arizona and raised in many different states. As a missionary kid in Russia for many years, she developed a love for traveling and cannot wait to see where God will take her next. She now lives in Colorado Springs and enjoys playing volleyball, reading, learning new languages, hanging out with friends and family, and going on adventures!
Katie
Individual Visits Specialist
Katie joined Compassion as a sponsor in 2003, and came to work for the ministry in 2005. She has been an Individual Visits Specialist since 2007, and has arranged visits for thousands of sponsors and children! Katie was born and raised in Colorado and is married to her high school sweetheart. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." — Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Charla
Individual Visits Specialist
Charla began serving in Compassion’s Contact Center in 2013 and joined the Individual Visits team in 2016. Since working in Visits, she has developed a deep appreciation for everyone who works to arrange sponsor visits and trips, as well as the sponsors who go to see their children. She was born and raised in Hawaii, enjoys spending time with her children, reading, traveling, and being outdoors (only when it is not cold).