Visiting your child in Guayaquil, Ecuador Cancel Title is required

Has anyone ever visited their child in this city? If so any pointers? What was it like?

Hi, I've visited my sponsored child and his family twice in Guayaquil.  I found the CI staff to be extremely courteous and helpful.  Both times I visited, Carlos was the driver of the van and Franklin was the interpreter and guide. I was fortunate that they were able to pick me up and take me to the CI center that serves the child and his family.  Once they picked me up at the airport.  The second time, they picked me up at my hotel (Holiday Inn at Guayaquil Airport...it is convenient and close to the CI center).  If they can't pick you up, take a cab...but make sure the hotel calls the cab for you.  Guayaquil can be a dangerous city for tourists.  You will have to fill out forms as well for CI.  I did mine in advance.  If you don't have them, they will be provided.  One of those forms tells you that some of the neighborhoods you will be traveling too can be dangerous and CI is not (legally) responsible.  I'm not trying to scare you.  I had a wonderful time on both of my visits.  Please GO!  On my first visit, we arrived at the CI center that served the child I sponsor.  I met him and his mother there.  Franklin gave me a tour of the facility and explained all the wonderful work CI does for the children enrolled there.  He also introduced me to much of the staff.  I was amazed at how much they can do.  After this brief tour, we went to a local shopping mall.  The first stop was the arcade.  I don't know if the child I sponsor had ever been in one before but he had a wonderful time and Franklin took a lot of photos to be shared with me later...and I took photos as well.  The child rode some small rides, played video games and, at one point, his mother and I joined him in a 'horse race' where you shoot water at a target to advance the horses.  Of course, we let the child win.  The prize was a tiny, plastic trinket...but the child clutched it in his hand like it was priceless.  After the arcade, I took everyone to lunch at a food court in the mall.  (If you do this, be prepared to pay for your child, his family member(s), the driver and your guide.)  After we ate, I took them all for ice cream.  Then, we went to a grocery store and I let the parent shop for food for the family, which I paid for.  As our day came to a close, Franklin offered to take me to the main offices of CI.  I had to decline as I was on a tight schedule to catch a plane and I wanted to visit he house of the child I sponsor.  That was where they took me next.  I was amazed to see the simple shelter they lived in.  After seeing the downtown of Guayaquil, I didn't expect to see such a poor area.  The family was very welcoming.  I met the father, two brothers and a sister.  They invited me inside and we talked (through Franklin, the every present interpreter) for a bit.  Then one of the children brought out a guitar and started playing and singing for me.  It was clear that this family, though poor by our standards, was rich in love for one another.  The house was simple, yet spotless.  The children were happy.  How many children do you know in our country that grow up with everything and never seem happy.  These children seemed happy with the simplest of things.  I brought gifts...a couple of t-shirts from the USA and candy (which was a big hit with the kids), some coloring books and colored pencils.  After my visit, the family  accompanied me to the airport and we said our goodbyes.  It was an amazing visit and, quite frankly, it was the highlight of my entire trip.  (I was on a birding tour of Ecuador).  My second visit was much like the first.  We met at CI and I gave gifts to all the children.  )T-shirts, fidget spinners, books and candy)  Instead of going to an arcade, we decided on the local zoo.  Unfortunately, it was closed that day.  Then, the child I sponsor showed me the arcade card we had used from two years prior...I couldn't believe he still had it!  The card can be recharged with money and used again.  Unfortunately, the arcade was not in the mall we had chosen.  I felt bad..but I didn't know this is what he wanted to do.  So we opted to go shopping for clothing for the family.  I bought things not only for the child I sponsor, but for his siblings and parents as well.  While shopping, the child I sponsor asked me if I could buy him a bicycle.  As much as I would have like to, it simply wasn't in my budget at that time and the guide suggested that the money might be better spent on items the family needed.  This visit was also around the time of the birthday of the child I sponsor.  So, for lunch, I took everyone to Friday's (Yes, they have that American chain in Ecuador).  I chose Friday's because the staff comes out and sings happy birthday to the birthday person.  This was fun for all.  After this, I took the family food shopping again.  A very full day and no time to even visit the family house this time.  The mother was unable to be on the last visit because she had been severely burned in an accident and was in the hospital.  She would require special medicines and ointments on her release and I offered to pay for some of that as it is difficult for the family to afford.  Once again, they all accompanied me to the airport.  I was sad to have to leave so soon...but happy I had made a small difference in the lives of the family that day.  As for the bike....on this particular trip, I was traveling with 15 students from the University where I work.  I broke away from the group for one day to visit with the child I sponsor.  They all wanted to know how it went and I told them and showed them pictures.  I also told them the story about the bicycle.  To make a long story short....the students chipped in after we got back to the USA and I made up the difference....and the child now has a new bike....thanks to the students and a great big THANKS to CI.  If you have any other questions about Guayaquil, please contact me.  

Wow.. I read all of it in one breath, and agree that those who have everything look for more, yet the ones who have nothing don't even ask for much!

Thanks for all the awesome information

Please go if you can.  It will be a life changing experience.

Thanks for this wonderful post.  All of my kids are in the Philippines, but your visit reinforced my finding that these kids are happy with very little, and don't ask for much.   SO glad you were able to get a bike for your sponsored boy.