Grassroots Mission Trips are essential to the operation of the projects. Team members work hard and do many of the things that we would need to pay employees to do if the trips did not happen.
We go out to India, Kenya, Romania and Tanzania every year to interview sponsored children, check things are being organised with integrity, deliver alternative gifts, decide which opportunities to prioritise and meet with our amazing partners and friends!
Mission trips really matter, are challenging and great fun!
The dates for upcoming Mission Trips
> India : 20-27 January 2020 – no spaces
> Kenya : 4-12 April 2020 – spaces – in the Easter holidays so teachers and young people can join in (dates still flexible & dependent on flights)
> Bespoke trips to Tanzania : July/August 2020 – book as a group (contact for more info)
> Romania : 9-16 September 2020 – spaces available for both building team and team who will visit the sponsored children (dates dependent on flights)
> Tanzania : 30 September-14 October 2020 – spaces (dates dependent on flights)
As we mentioned above, other trips to Tanzania and other places with smaller projects can be organised in a bespoke way for groups, schools, etc – normally bespoke Tanzania trips are in July or early August. Please get in touch for details or if you have a group you would like to bring.
There will be an orientation day for the Tanzania and Romania teams on a Saturday in June of the same year. This is obligatory and we cannot allow you to be part of the team if you do not attend an orientation day. Orientation days for other trips are also obligatory and we will let you know the dates when you apply to be part of the team.
To apply to join a mission team Contact Us and select “Apply for a Mission Team” and tell us your plans. You can also download the application forms here.
Mission Trip tasks include:
An annual review for each sponsored child – we interview, photograph, do medical checks, record the information and help them write a letter or draw a picture to send to their sponsor.
We also have meetings with the local project leaders, review specific project activities (eg: wells that are being dug or homes that are being built) and check on their progress and effectiveness.
During these processes families who need extra help are identified and plans made to make sure they get it.
Teams always join in with project activities such as visiting the children’s clubs and schools, taking lessons, taking part in church services and so on.
A great part of some trips is to join in with the delivery of one or more “Alternative Gifts”. This can mean carrying chickens in our hands in the back of a truck or visiting a community and giving every family an extra blanket or mattress.
On some teams the Grassroots financial team audit the local projects’ accounts and make sure that all the money is being used well.
Finally, the teams that go to Romania have two parts: Most work on building a home for a very poor family who desperately need safe, warm, dry accommodation. They are lead by qualified UK builders and work alongside Romanian builders.
The other part of the team visit all the sponsored children – some in homes and others in Benita’s centre – where they interview, photograph and pray with each child.
Team members
We always need 40 or so people each year to join us on the various trips. Each trip is challenging and inspiring. We take people from a variety of age groups, backgrounds and many teams have people join from a number of countries. It is hard work but an experience you will never forget!
Use our Contact Us form now to express an interest in coming on a mission trip. Select “Apply for a mission trip” on the category drop down and then tell us which trip you want to come on in the “Message”. We will then write to you with details of that trip and send you the forms you need to complete.
You can also download the application forms here.
