FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We serve our partners in Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Peru!

We also have a partnership in Haiti which is currently at a standstill due to political instability and safety concerns in the country.

You can find more information about our International Service Trips here.

You can also see Where We Serve here.

HFK partners with two international relief organizations:

• Kids Alive International
  Our partnership with Kids Alive International (KAI) has been very strong for over 15 years! We partner with KAI’s sites in the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Haiti.

• The Roblealto Child Care Association
  We have served in Costa Rica since 2013 where we originally took our Leadership Trips in November, and now take trips year round. They are a very well recognized child care organization in Costa Rica with multiple sites around the country.

• The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
  The partnership with our Mexico partners began in 2021 with a Vision Trip. We now take on average two trips a year to Tijuana serving the many ongoing projects they have to support the children and families in the community.

• We also partner with various domestic organizations and schools by providing donations and Local Service Opportunities.

Learn more about Where We Serve.

HFK serves children of all ages! Most children at our international partners sites range from 4-18 years old.

Typically, team members spend the morning and afternoon working on a specific project such as painting, construction, or supporting where needed. After the project, our teams spend time with the kids at the school or care home playing sports and organizing activities. At night, the team will have dinner with the families or spend time together as a team doing devotionals and activities while reflecting on the day.

Our host sites provide team members with 3 meals a day and living accommodations for the week. Typically, the last day or two is meant to debrief the week as a team as well as embark on an excursion or cultural activity together.

To see examples of previous Service Trips we’ve done, check out our Trip Recaps here.

People of all ages can serve with us!

We have had team members as young as 10 years old traveling with their guardian and as old as 71 years old serving along young adults. Service projects and jobs within those projects can be accommodated for each team and each team member.

Most definitely! You can see for yourself in these many Alumni Testimonials.

Absolutely! Just make sure you fill out the allergy section on your Go Method profile so that we can alert our sites of your needs and take any necessary steps to keep you safe and cared for. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks for the week.

Yes, we purchase international health insurance for all team members.

Your trip cost depends on the site you will serve in due to varying partner fees. Please choose a specific trip and read the “Financial Commitment” section to learn more.

Refunds are not available if you decide you no longer want to go on a trip. If there is a situation outside of your control that will prevent you from going on your trip, we can work with you to find a solution. Refer to the question below for more information.

If you can no longer travel due to circumstances outside of your control, please contact us immediately to be able to communicate your absence to our partners and make any necessary changes.

If you contact us…

• …more than around two weeks from travel: The amount you’ve raised for your trip can become a donation, or we can work with you and the people that helped you fundraise to provide a refund. You can also decide to serve on a different trip.

• …less than two weeks from travel: A few weeks before each trip, we send the necessary paperwork and funds to our partners for your trip. Once that payment is sent, we cannot receive a refund. Your trip payment can become a donation or your trip participation can be rescheduled to another trip.

If your flight has already been purchased, depending on the circumstance you are canceling and the amount of money you have raised for your trip, we can work with you to provide a flight voucher or request a refund from the airline.

More details can be discussed on a case by case basis, please contact us at info@hereforkids.org for more information.

Neither HFK nor our partner sites require you to be a Christian or religious in any way to serve. We want to provide this life-forming experience to everyone!

We do ask, however, that you respect and follow the Code of Conduct of each of our partner sites during your week of service, which is often based in Christian principles. Some guidelines include behavior expectations, dress code, and a general respect for the community you are serving in.

No. We have an Operations team that will book all your flights.

Before your departure, we will provide you with our on-site emergency contact information that you can share with anyone you’d like.

If your family fails to reach you at your personal cell phone while you’re abroad, they can contact the on-site emergency contact.

Absolutely not! While there is something special about speaking the same language as those you’re serving, it will not greatly impact your experience. You will still be able to communicate, learn, and share with those we serve, through play and other activities, no matter what language you speak (or don’t speak).

If you are serving with us soon, you can start learning or practicing on a language learning app!

Yes! We will send you a package in the mail before your trip to help you prepare for your service trip and have helpful materials to guide you through your week of service. Upon your return, you will stay in touch with your team members through meetings and group messages which will provide helpful tips on how to apply what you learned back home.

You can also find some of those resources here.

You can contact us and see all of our contact information on our Contact Us page.