50 million (reasons to go)

China stands at a rare place in it's history;  at the forefront of modernity, but with one foot in the past.   China has come a long way in recent decades to become one of the world's key economic and political engines.  But with all that said, there still exists a vast rift between it's have's and have-not's.  UNICEF estimates that there are over 50 million orphaned children in China. 

Visiting Orphans works with government run Social Welfare Institutes (SWI) to help bring love and assistance to some of those 20 million children without families.  Since 2005 we have sent over 30 teams from American churches to visit these SWI's.  Although the SWI's do all that they can to provide the best life for the children living there, assistance and help is still needed.  Our missions teams don't go in with an agenda, they go in to serve and to love.  Oftentimes on our trips  all you will do for hours on end is hold infants who need the love and attention they deserve, or play hide-n-go-seek with a group of six year old boys.  It will truly be a life-changing and unforgettable experience.

Click here to see our 2010 trips

Cost: approximately $3,200 - $3,500


 

 Includes:  International airfare, accomodation, 3 meals a day, in-country transportation, travel insurance, translator/guide, tourist site entrance fees
 

 

Sample Itinerary: 

Day 1 & 2 - Travel from the U.S. to Beijing, China.  The team will be met at the airport by your guide and you will board a private bus headed to your hotel in Beijing.

Day 3 -  Travel by plane or bus to the city where the orphanage is located.

Day 4 through 8 -  The team spends its days building relationships with the children and staff at the orphanage.  Your days will be spent playing games with the children, doing arts and crafts, or service projects to improve the orphanage.

Day 9 -  Travel back to Beijing.

Day 10 & 11 - Sightseeing at some of China's most memorable sights;  the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Olympic Stadium (Bird's Nest).

Day 12 - Team departs China and heads home.

Country Info:  (that could come in handy if you ever go on Jeopardy)

Population:  1.3 billion (now thats a lot of people!)
Government System:  Communist
Religion:  Officially atheist; Taoism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity
Capital City:  Beijing, population approx. 15 million
Language:  Mandarin is spoken by 70% of the population