Visit your Sponsored Child
Plan Ireland sponsor Mary Haugh on a recent trip with Plan to Cambodia
Take the journey of a lifetime!
- 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 info@plan.ie or by phone at 1800 829 829.
Click here to read about other sponsor's experiences of visiting their sponsored children.
Like you, we have the best interests of our sponsored children, their families and communities at heart. As such, we ask that our visitors agree to comply with our policies regarding child rights, child privacy and child protection at all times.
Questions and answers about field visits
What are the first steps I need to take to plan my visit?
How much time is needed to arrange a visit?
How will I get around during my visit?
What can I bring to my sponsored child?
How long do the visits usually last?
Do I need to take any preventative medications before I visit?
What are the first steps I need to take to plan my visit?
All visits must be arranged through our office at Plan Ireland. Unannounced visits will not be allowed. 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 1800-829 829. 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 4 months 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.
How will I get around during my visit?
Your accommodation 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..
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.
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 doctor can arrange for you to receive the proper medications.
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 call us on 1800 829 829
