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So...  I'm planning on visiting in a few years.  For those of you who have visited, did you plan activities in the area beforehand, or did you choose activities when you arrived?  How did you choose what to do?

CI will give you suggestions on what you can do/where you can take your child. In some cases, they will provide a document that lists out your options (and in some cases this document will be outdated, lol). Also, you can surf the 'net and look for cool things to do in the area where your child lives, then make your own suggestion. Some general rules are that your child cannot come to your hotel (or even know which one it is) and the kids can't participate in swimming activities (unless you are willing to hire a private lifeguard to bring along on the trip).

Thanks Macky,

I found it a little restrictive not to do water activities in DR (dolfins, water parks, beaches, etc) so what be the rate of a private lifeguard?

As MackyMack said, each agency does provide us with a few options they have found to be enjoyable visit activities for children and sponsors that we are happy to share with you.  Of course, if there is something else specific you would be interested in, we are also open to your suggestions – but keep in mind, the activity may not be feasible for various reasons (liability risk, location, distance from your child, etc.).  However, there is usually a tentative plan for the visit in place prior to the visit, to help things go smoothly.  

@kikoillana – the rate of a private lifeguard would depend on the country. However, please keep in mind that the determination to include swimming in your visit involves much more than hiring a private lifeguard and is not something that is often allowed anymore, due to liability and cultural factors.

I've only visited my 2 girls in Mexico, and only visited once as of now, but.... We visited both kids on the same day, together.Once we were picked up at our hotel we went to the community center the girls used and were given a tour of the center. They were having a Tom's shoe distribution that day so we were also able to observe the (actually well controlled) chaos that goes with 4000+ kids in line, getting fitted, and then being given the correct size shoes. What an undertaking!
Next we went to each girls' home to pick up them and their families.Lee & I went into each home and got to meet the families and see their homes. Then we got back in the van and headed to town. Originally we were scheduled to eat first, then shop, but along the way the group decided they weren't really hungry yet so we detoured to Walmart. I had already prepaid for each family for their shopping. Each family got a cart and off they went, I tagged with one family and Lee tagged with the other family. A CI person (interpreter) went with each family. The van driver got to wait outside - he was happy! 
Once everbody had been through checkout we all gathered back at the van and everbody got to see what everybody else had picked out. 
Next all 13 of us piled back into the van with an extremely large amount of groceries and other household items and let the kids pick where we were going to eat. Burger King... Everybody ordered , I brought up the rear and paid and we commandeered a long bench with several tables and chowed down. All of us had a chance to talk and joke, the kids got to play in the play area and refill their drinks (that was one of the highlights for them), we celebrated Lupetia's brothers' birthday with ice cream sundaes and had a really nice "family dinner".
The CI staff is supposed to be back at the Community Center by their quitting time (4:30). Of course by the time we were done eating it was 4pm or so. Back in the van with 13 people and off to the bus station so Lee and I could return to Puerto Vallarta where we were staying for the time we were in Mexico. (We had taken the bus from PVR to Guadalejara the day before for the visit). Then the staff took both families home, got all their purchases sorted out and then went back to the Community Center (very late for their quitting time)

All this was a VERY full day! We would have been hard pressed to put anything else in there.
So, to make a long story short: don't stress about what activities get scheduled when you first visit your kids. Seeing their homes really is almost necessary for the first visit - it really gives you a picture of how they live. That takes time. I also think it's kinda required you get a tour of their Community Center - even the Director of the center comes out to meet you and helps with the tour. They had even arranged for the President of the teen group to be there to meet us! The staff are all very proud of their center and they want to make sure you see it! It is worth seeing - you get a better idea of all CI does for the kids.
It also seems customary that you take all these people out to eat (yes, you buy even for all the CI staff) you are with them for 7+ hours there should be a meal in there...
Once you have seen the kids' homes and the community center, and gotten 13 people fed with all the travel time over very potholed roads (even in the city) you really only have at the most an hour and a half (90 minutes) left out of your visit time. Remember the CI staff have 8 hours from their start time when they leave the Community Center to their quitting time when they are supposed to be back at the Community center.
In those 90 minutes you also have to factor in travel time to whatever activity you go to. If you want to take them shopping that will use up the time left.
Be careful about trying to fill every second with activity. Your kids will have a day of firsts regardless of what you do - they will get to do special things. Your coming to visit in itself is huge for them. And if you jam pack the schedule there really won't be time for ya'll to talk and get to know each other. That's the best part of the visit! ;-)

This is my first post. I just started sponsoring a child from Ecaudor and I recieved my first letter, it was really great! Maybe it sounds silly but I couldn't believe how great I felt about it. I have been at the computer for 1 1/2 instead of folding laundry :) I  wanted to write back immediately since I remember how excited it felt as a child to recieve a letter. I sent some pictures too. I feel like I have been so fortunate in my life that it's time to do something for someone else for a change. I guess it was fate that I walked out of a supermarket and signed up just at the perfect time! Life is a gift so spreading that around feels pretty wonderful!
I love the idea of visiting and I will definetly plan to do that in the near future. Betsy I think you are 100% right. it's really about the visit which I am sure is somewhat overwhelming for everyone especially if you try to pack a bunch of activities into 8 hrs. So I guess you do the important things like shopping, eating and visiting. Getting to know Sergio over the next year will give meaning to a visit. Something to look forward to! I look forward to reading about everyone's journeys! 

I just got back from Guatemala with MackyMack and her mom and visiting the kids I sponsor as well as those that they do. I left it to MackyMack to organize and co-ordinate with her "handler" at CI. CI is great. They handle all of the logistics and provide a detailed timeline and itinerary. They pick you up at your hotel. provide an interpreter and drive everyone around everywhere. Visiting homes is a great idea where possible. So is taking the kids shopping for clothing and shoes and taking the parents shopping for groceries. On Thursday, we took 3 kids and their moms/guardians to the amusement park in Guatemala City.


I was a little nervous about visiting. I didn't know how the families would react. All I can say is that everyone was great and I had a fantastic time.

Alan

I just started sponsoring a child in Mexico. About 20 years ago, I had sponsored one from Ecuador but hadn't had the privilege of visiting her as I lived by myself with a part time job at McDonalds. But this time, once I get to start talking I hopefully would like to visit. Jalisco is where my husband's side of family (on his dad's side) hails from so I would love to get a bit of background from my visit. Are we aloud to take any "gifts" with us when we visit? Or does everything have to be purchased there? Just curious What are some things you are aloud to take with you on the trip? Anyways, It will be an honor if I could visit this time around. Mexico isn't that far away. 

belfadisa, you are more than welcome to bring gifts from home that may not be available in Mexico. But, for the sake of convenience, we recommend purchasing other gifts while there. Visiting your sponsored child is a life changing experience and I hope you are able to make it happen :)

I really wanted to bring something from the US that the children could not get in the Philippines.  A lot of US branded items are available there, but little of it is affordable to the children, so really any gift is appreciated.  I bought sports jerseys with the NYC home teams logos and personalized M4Ms (which were well received, to say the least).  www.mymms.com if you wish to do the same thing.

Thanks for mentioning that you prepaid for shopping. I like that idea and will do on my next visit! Sounds like you had a very busy and enjoyable time!

Hi belfadisa, some things that I have taken in past are clothing, books, toys, photo albums, annual photos of the children, crafts. watches and jewelry, inflatable globes to show where we live, bubbles, candy, crafts. On my first trip, I packed a lot of things but I did not take as much on the second trip. I also took the children shopping and did some grocery shopping. The parents are very thankful for groceries. On my next trip, I plan to do a little more shopping there as opposed to bringing as much with me to cut down on my luggage and fees.

Here is a cool idea that I want to try on my next visit. I think that it was Mack that mentioned that she sent disposable cameras to her children ahead of time so that they could take pictures of them doing activities at home and in their neighborhood, at school, for example, and then when she visited, she was get the cameras and develop the photos later :)

When we visited CI supplied us with a short list of available activities in the City and we were asked to pick what we would like to do with the kids. We selected home visits for both and went to a zoo/botanical garden with Happy and a museum with Mathews. We then grocery shopped for both families. I took a ton of toys (stuffed animals, jump ropes, frisbees, foam baseball bat and foam baseballs, bouncy balls, barbies for sisters, also some shirts and blankets). Had a wonderful time. As mentioned above, I'll probably pack less toys next time and just buy them there. Disposable cameras sound awesome!!

I've decided I'm going to visit my kids in the Philippines before I get too old, and have a question about shopping.  When I send SNG's, the response letters tell of the child + parents going to a mall to shop.  When I visit them, ​how would that work in terms of my paying for the purchased items at multiple stores?  Or do we just go to a Walmart and get clothes, toys, and food there?  

I visit my kids each year in Manila and you can pre-pay CI for shopping, and when you are there they will take you to one of the larger malls who normally have a connection with the agency and purchase what the kids need, or of course you can shop elsewhere as well, the field workers will have the funds you sent to cover anything you buy at any location you go to.

Fabulous!  Since I'll be visiting all 8 of my kids, do I prepay in a lump sum, then set different limits on spending for each child?   Some of the kids are so desperately poor that I want them to have a larger amount to spend.  

nfoster, when are you planning to go?  I replied to your question regarding following my upcoming journey to manila and legazpi. 

Yes, you prepay a lump sum then you can suggest the amount for each child, the field workers will take care of everything.

On my first visit to The Philippines in 2012 I have prepaid my visit. We went then grocery shopping and the field working had the money, of course the families went over the limit I paid by card. No problem.

My second visit in 2014 I did not prepay and paid everything on card (the exchange rate was very good). Ci really works with you to make your day special. And since meeting my girls & their families in person the bond we have is very strong. 

Go if you can to visit The Philippines. Amazing country, people, scenery. I'm just looking into flights for 2016.

wallyflores, you inspired me to go.  I'm just in the early planning stages, but I'm thinking Jan-Feb would be best time weather-wise.  So I won't have to hide out in your luggage.

awe so glad to hear this!  We need to have a Maryland sponsors get together.  I believe cepps is from MD too - who else??? 

Yes I am! And it's really awesome to know other sponsors who live right here in the same state with me!!

Most of the malls in the Philippines have large grocery stores.  You can dine, shop for kids clothes and food shop in one place.