Visit the Field
Take the trip of a lifetime and visit your sponsored child!
Below you'll find a few of the most commonly asked questions, and answers, about visiting the field. For more information, please feel free to contact us either by email at DonorRelations@planusa.org or by phone at 1-800-556-7918.
Questions and answers about field visits
What are the first steps I need to take to plan my visit?
All visits must be arranged through our office at Plan USA. Preparing your visit requires careful planning by Plan staff both here in the US and in the field office. For the protection of the children in our programs, we require all visitors (18 years and older) who are visiting the field to read and sign our Child Protection Standards and to undergo a background check:
For general information, or if you have more specific plans, please contact us or call a Donor Relations Executive at 1-800-556-7918. Please check with your travel agent for information on weather, holidays, currency, visas and health requirements.
How much time is needed to arrange a visit?
Advance notice of 8-10 weeks is ideal and helps ensure that our field staff has plenty of time to confirm the visit date with the sponsored child's family and arrange for transportation, an interpreter, and visits to some of the community projects in the area. If you do not contact us with the required notice, we regret that we will be unable to host your visit.
All visits must be approved by and arranged through Plan USA.
Visits are conducted during business hours. Please keep in mind that visits for any other time, such as a holiday or weekend, can be requested but may not always be possible to arrange.
How will I get around during my visit?
Your accomodations should be close to the field office. Depending on the travel distance to the child's community, either our Plan field office can make arrangements to pick you up or your hotel representative can help arrange a bus or taxi as needed. A Plan staff person will accompany you for the duration of your visit and a translator will be available.
What can I bring to my sponsored child?
Simple, inexpensive gifts are best. A t-shirt, school supplies, and a baseball or soccer ball make the best gifts. You may also want to ask a staff person if there is an appropriate item to purchase in-country and bring along. Please note you'll meet many other community members who are interested in knowing you. An extra bag of sweets is great to share with the many curious children who will come to see you during your visit. For example, passing out lollipops is a great way to break the ice when greeting a group of children.
How long do the visits usually last?
Many of the communities in which we work are a considerable distance from the main field office. So, it's likely that you will need a minimum of four hours, but probably closer to a full day to complete your visit. Once you arrive in the community, you'll have time to meet your sponsored child and his or her family, visit some projects in the area, and have time to enjoy their company. We can't make arrangements for you to stay overnight with your child's family.
What if I have special needs during my stay?
Please inform our Donor Relations Executives and they will notify our field staff of any special needs. They will do their best to accommodate you. We highly recommend that this be handled prior to your visit.
Do I need to take any preventive medications before I visit?
Please contact your physician or international travel clinic in your city several weeks ahead of your visit. Depending on where your travel brings you, there are many precautionary medications you may need to take. Your physician can arrange for you to receive the proper medications.
You may want to visit the US State Department's website for more information about international travel: http://www.travel.state.gov/
Just a note: Visits are a rewarding experience for all involved and, if such travel is feasible for you, we highly recommend taking this journey. A community usually plans a special celebration, meal or special event to honor the visitor and it is a great disappointment to sponsored children and others when a visit is changed at the last minute. We would appreciate your sensitivity to this while in the planning process. For information on planning a visit, please contact a Donor Relations Executive or call 1-800-556-7918.
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- Meet the child you're sponsoring
- Tour the child's village and community with Plan staff and see firsthand the projects made possible by sponsors, like you
- Experience the rich culture of another place
Below you'll find a few of the most commonly asked questions, and answers, about visiting the field. For more information, please feel free to contact us either by email at DonorRelations@planusa.org or by phone at 1-800-556-7918.
Questions and answers about field visits
What are the first steps I need to take to plan my visit?
All visits must be arranged through our office at Plan USA. Preparing your visit requires careful planning by Plan staff both here in the US and in the field office. For the protection of the children in our programs, we require all visitors (18 years and older) who are visiting the field to read and sign our Child Protection Standards and to undergo a background check:
- Read Plan's Child Protection Standards, which includes our Visit Policy
- Fill out the form acknowledging that you have read the Child Protection Standards and agree to comply with these policies.
- Fill out and have notarized the form authorizing a Criminal Background Check.
- Return signed forms to Plan USA, 155 Plan Way, Warwick RI 02886
For general information, or if you have more specific plans, please contact us or call a Donor Relations Executive at 1-800-556-7918. Please check with your travel agent for information on weather, holidays, currency, visas and health requirements.
How much time is needed to arrange a visit?
Advance notice of 8-10 weeks is ideal and helps ensure that our field staff has plenty of time to confirm the visit date with the sponsored child's family and arrange for transportation, an interpreter, and visits to some of the community projects in the area. If you do not contact us with the required notice, we regret that we will be unable to host your visit.
All visits must be approved by and arranged through Plan USA.
Visits are conducted during business hours. Please keep in mind that visits for any other time, such as a holiday or weekend, can be requested but may not always be possible to arrange.
How will I get around during my visit?
Your accomodations should be close to the field office. Depending on the travel distance to the child's community, either our Plan field office can make arrangements to pick you up or your hotel representative can help arrange a bus or taxi as needed. A Plan staff person will accompany you for the duration of your visit and a translator will be available.
What can I bring to my sponsored child?
Simple, inexpensive gifts are best. A t-shirt, school supplies, and a baseball or soccer ball make the best gifts. You may also want to ask a staff person if there is an appropriate item to purchase in-country and bring along. Please note you'll meet many other community members who are interested in knowing you. An extra bag of sweets is great to share with the many curious children who will come to see you during your visit. For example, passing out lollipops is a great way to break the ice when greeting a group of children.
How long do the visits usually last?
Many of the communities in which we work are a considerable distance from the main field office. So, it's likely that you will need a minimum of four hours, but probably closer to a full day to complete your visit. Once you arrive in the community, you'll have time to meet your sponsored child and his or her family, visit some projects in the area, and have time to enjoy their company. We can't make arrangements for you to stay overnight with your child's family.
What if I have special needs during my stay?
Please inform our Donor Relations Executives and they will notify our field staff of any special needs. They will do their best to accommodate you. We highly recommend that this be handled prior to your visit.
Do I need to take any preventive medications before I visit?
Please contact your physician or international travel clinic in your city several weeks ahead of your visit. Depending on where your travel brings you, there are many precautionary medications you may need to take. Your physician can arrange for you to receive the proper medications.
You may want to visit the US State Department's website for more information about international travel: http://www.travel.state.gov/
Just a note: Visits are a rewarding experience for all involved and, if such travel is feasible for you, we highly recommend taking this journey. A community usually plans a special celebration, meal or special event to honor the visitor and it is a great disappointment to sponsored children and others when a visit is changed at the last minute. We would appreciate your sensitivity to this while in the planning process. For information on planning a visit, please contact a Donor Relations Executive or call 1-800-556-7918.
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