Included in the exciting 12 Days of Compassion campaign is a unique opportunity to enter a giveaway to join an experience trip to the Dominican Republic and witness firsthand the impact of compassion in action. This trip extends the opportunity to deeply understand holistic child development and be inspired by the creativity, efficacy and personal nature of Compassion’s locally led approach.
Come explore the ways that this 12 Days of Compassion trip opportunity is both unique and meaningful. You’ll dig into how our locally-led model comes to life in every detail of a Compassion experience trip as well as how the wellbeing of children is upheld with integrity and care. And finally, step into the stories of our trip leaders and the precious moments they have seen unfold while side-by-side with Canadians on Compassion experience trips. You’re sure to be inspired to share your compassion story!
In this blog:
Why the 12 Days of Compassion experience trip is a special opportunity
Honouring our locally-led model
How do you ensure that Compassion children are safe during trips?
Hear the stories of our Compassion trip leaders
Through the generous invitation and hospitality of Compassion program countries, these experience trips are a window into the tireless and inspiring work they do to serve the children and families in their nations. The trip itinerary is designed by Compassion staff to highlight the innovative ways they are breaking the cycle of poverty in their country, and include visits to local Compassion centres, the country’s national office and the neighbourhoods where transformation is unfolding.
Compassion experience trips offer a truly profound opportunity to witness the power of moving with compassion on behalf of children living in poverty. Our trip participants always return with hearts full and convictions bolstered by the meaningful experience they had with the Compassion staff, pastors, volunteers and children.
But a Compassion experience trip is not simply an inspiring excursion. It is a momentum-builder! The purpose of these trips is to strengthen support for Compassion’s programs by giving participants a grounded understanding of the challenges and successes in each community, ultimately deepening a long-term commitment and connection to the mission of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Why the 12 Days of Compassion experience trip is a special opportunity
Experience trips, where supporters meet the children they sponsor and see Compassion’s work firsthand, have always been a highlight. Following adjusted travel restrictions caused by the pandemic, we have had to scale back the volume of these trips in the past few years. This is to adapt to changing capacities and logistical impacts for the Compassion’s program countries facilitating these trips.
We are excited to engage in this unique experience trip to the Dominican Republic to enhance advocacy and awareness for the impact of Compassion’s program. These trips are designed to break down stereotypes and highlight the strengths, resilience and culture of the communities where Compassion’s program comes alive. We want to champion their efforts and see the impact of compassion in action.
Pastor Beauty knows, loves and protects the children of her community.
Honouring our locally-led model
Compassion’s experience trips prioritize meaningful connections and mutual understanding through respectful community partnerships. Participants learn directly from local leaders about their successful initiatives that strengthen families and create opportunities for children. The focus is on celebrating community-driven solutions and sustainable progress, guided by local wisdom and expertise. This approach ensures authentic cultural exchange while honouring the agency, dignity and achievements of our partner communities.
Importantly, Compassion Canada experience trips are not about short-term interventions or volunteering. Instead, the focus is on valued relationships and fostering a greater understanding of global poverty and the importance of holistic child development. Participants leave with a deeper appreciation for the complexities of addressing systemic issues and the vital role Compassion plays in empowering communities to break the cycle of poverty through long-term, sustainable development led by local communities.
These trips provide an opportunity for participants to see firsthand the impact of their sponsorship and financial support. By witnessing the tangible difference their contributions make in the lives of children and their families, supporters can feel a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to the mission of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Raphael, a Compassion centre director from Togo, is passionate about child protection.
How do you ensure that Compassion children are safe during trips?
One of the primary concerns people may have about experience trips is the potential risk to vulnerable children. However, Compassion has implemented robust safeguarding protocols to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children we serve. All trip participants undergo thorough background checks and receive training on appropriate interaction with children. Compassion also maintains strict guidelines regarding photography, video recording and personal interactions to protect the privacy and dignity of the children.
Child protection is critical to Compassion’s program and is integrated into everything we do as a child-focused organization. We are committed to upholding the safety, dignity and privacy of the children we serve so that they can thrive.
Hear the stories of our Compassion trip leaders
Marvelyn, Dominican Republic
A story of transformation unfolds on the bus
Leading a Compassion trip often brings unexpected moments that make the mission come alive in powerful ways. On one of these trips, we had two drivers assigned to our group, taking us through various Compassion centres. During a quiet moment on the way to one of our destinations, I sat beside the driver and struck up a conversation. He shared with me that he was once a sponsored child himself. Surprised and touched, I asked if he remembered where his sponsor was from, and he paused, smiled, and said, “Canada.”
As we talked further, he revealed something even more astonishing. His sponsor had been none other than our Chief People Officer, Misty. When he heard that his company would be driving a team from Compassion Canada, he personally volunteered to be one of our drivers. This was his way of giving back to the organization that had such a profound impact on his life. For him, it was more than a job—it was a way to reconnect with his roots and show his gratitude.
Later, he recorded a heartfelt message for Misty, expressing his deep thanks and sharing how her sponsorship had helped shape who he was. Watching him speak to her, thanking her in such a heartfelt way, I felt an overwhelming sense of the ripple effect Compassion creates. Moments like these are a reminder of the lifelong impact sponsorship has—seeing the children released from poverty become adults who give back, inspired by the love and support they received.
Topher, Nicaragua
A story that shines a spotlight on the church
On every Compassion trip, there are many meaningful moments as I have the privilege of witnessing Compassion’s program in action side-by-side with Canadians who are playing a part in the mission. And on every trip, there is always one moment that brings all the experiences together—like turning on a light.
Early in my time working at Compassion, I had the opportunity to go to Nicaragua with a group of sponsors. One of the sponsors was particularly excited because he was going to be able to meet the child he sponsored during a visit to one of Compassion’s local church partners. After spending time at the Compassion centre, I had the opportunity to tag along with this sponsor as he visited the home of the child he sponsored. We sat together on the family’s veranda with the young man’s parents, siblings and a translator and got to know their family’s story.
As the time neared its end, the sponsor asked one final question: “What has it meant for your son to be sponsored with Compassion?” The translator articulated the question to the parents, and I was surprised to see a look of confusion on their faces. Though we didn’t speak the same language, I could tell that the parents did not have an answer and for a moment, my heart dropped. But the translator, witnessing the parents’ confusion and loss for words, was intuitive enough to understand the key to this question. He quickly asked the question again, this time rephrasing it to say: “What has the program at the local church meant for your son?”
Instantly, the parents’ eyes lit up! They began to share the many ways that the local church had impacted their lives, specifically, the tangible ways their son had been cared for and loved through its program for children. This was the moment that the light turned on for me. The sponsor and I walked away from that home visit profoundly moved by the reality that Compassion’s program truly empowers the local church to make a real, lasting and personal difference for children and families in their communities.
By prioritizing child protection, cultural sensitivity and genuine connection, a Compassion experience trip offers a unique and transformative experience for those seeking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children around the world.
Join the fun of our 12 Days of Compassion to dive deeper into the mission of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. And be sure to share your compassion story for the opportunity to join this special Compassion experience trip to the Dominican Republic.
