Visiting your sponsored child can be an unforgettable experience that will bless both you and your sponsored child. When you visit, you will get to see firsthand how you’re making a difference in your child’s life and in the entire community!

Plan ahead

We want to make sure everyone involved in this journey has a memorable experience. We are also committed to ensuring the safety of sponsored children. It takes a lot of time to coordinate and plan a visit to your sponsored child, so visit request applications must be submitted at least 6 months in advance.

We’ll make every effort to arrange a visit with your child. However, sometimes political or family circumstances can prevent visits.

Here’s how to get your adventure to started:

1. Application

At least 6 months before your trip, fill out and send in the following forms:

Request to Visit My Sponsored Child Application
Release and Hold Harmless Agreement
Minor Release and Hold Harmless Agreement (one per accompanying minor)
Kidnapping and Hostage-Panos Education Support -Sponsored Travelers Policy Information and Release

Please email your completed application and release form to us at sponsorvisits@worldvision.org or print and mail them to us at:

Panos Education Support Organization – Visits
P.O. Box 8025
Arusha – TAnzania

2. Background check

Protecting children and keeping them safe is of utmost importance to us. That’s why we require all potential visitors who are 14 years of age and older to complete a background check, along with the required forms above. This process is required for all visitors, including minors and World Vision staff. Please note that each person 18 years or older must provide a separate email address for the background check.

There is a $25 per person fee to cover the cost of a background check for you (the child’s sponsor) and each person accompanying you on the trip. We’ll let you know as soon as your application and background check go through. This usually happens within 30 days, and the background check is good for one year. If you have any questions after looking over the form, please call us at 1.800.678.2168.

3. Telling your sponsored child you’ll be visiting

Once the visit has been approved, we’ll contact the local staff where your sponsored child lives to confirm details of your visit (i.e. date, time, meeting location, etc.). Then we’ll share the great news with your sponsored child’s family so they can look forward to seeing you!

At this point, we ask that all visit plans become final. A firm commitment to follow through with the visit is very important after having informed your sponsored child.

4. The visit

Once you’re in your sponsored child’s country, notify World Vision’s national office of your arrival. Our staff there will be handling all the arrangements for your visit. Depending on your sponsored child’s individual circumstances, your visit may take place at our main office or at our program office in your child’s community. Regardless of the location, the time spent with your sponsored child is sure to create memories you will cherish forever.

Saving memories

We encourage you to take lots of photos and keep a journal of your trip. Feel free to download and use the Travel Journal we prepared for you, or jot notes in your own notebook.

When you return, we would love to hear all about your trip! Tell us what it was like to meet your sponsored child and share some of your photos with us by emailing: info@panoseducationsupport.org.