Haiti Tour

One of the many milestones in an adoptee's life is the decision to visit his or her birth country. This visit represents both a financial and emotional investment on the part of the adoptee and his family. The birthland tour program through Dillon International offers a complete tour package that allows participants to experience their birth country, its culture, its heritage and its people in-depth. Consider the following advantages of participating in a Dillon International birthland tour:

Dillon International has escorted tour groups since 1989.
Each tour group is directed and escorted by a professional staff person who has traveled extensively in the country and has an in-depth knowledge of the country and customs.
10:1 participant/staff ratio. Our professional staff includes licensed social workers, adoptive parents, and adopted persons who have extensive birth country travel experience and knowledge of the culture.
Small travel groups allow for a more individualized experience.
Round trip international airfare with an option for domestic airfare at a reasonable additional fee.
Accommodations based on double occupancy.
Admission to all sightseeing attractions included.
Cultural experiences.
Professional English-speaking guides with sensitivity and experience in adoption issues.
Personal assistance is provided in visiting significant places and meeting significant persons.
A list of suggested readings pertaining to the birth country and adoption issues will be provided prior to departure.
This is a tour program with an adoption emphasis and a personal touch.
Tours are open to all adoptive families regardless of the agency used for adoption placement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should we travel? How old should my child(ren) be?

The best time to visit a birth country with your child is before their teen years. Between ages 8 and 12, children often benefit from a trip like this when they still view the world in a more matter of fact way. Gaining a positive understanding of their birth heritage will assist their identity formation process that will take place in more significant ways during adolescence.

2. What if we didn't adopt through Dillon International?

Regardless of the U.S. agency from which you adopted your child, we welcome you to join our Visit Haiti Tour. If you are interested in conducting a search for your child's birth family, we will only be able to assist you if your child was placed through the Rainbow of Love, the Haitian home for children under the umbrellas of the Foundation for the Children of Haiti. If you did not adopt through the Foundation, but the orphanage staff you worked with through another agency are willing to cooperate with a search process, we may still be able to assist you in conducting a birth family search while in Haiti.

3. What additional costs can I expect?

You will want to take money for gifts, shopping and some meals. Approximately $200-$300 should cover these expenses.

4. Do I need a visa or immunizations to travel to Haiti?

A valid passport is required for travel to Haiti, but a visa is not required. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) does recommend some vaccinations for travel to Haiti. Please visit the CDC website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationHaiti.aspx or talk to your doctor. You will want to begin the immunization process at least 4 - 6 weeks prior to your trip.

5. Is it safe to travel in Haiti?

Things are relatively stable in Haiti at this time. We'll use caution, stay in safe accommodations, and not venture into dangerous neighborhoods or go out at night. We will require all participants to register their trip with the U.S. Embassy in Haiti as well. Should the political climate change or unrest of any kind emerge, we will postpone the trip if necessary. Our contacts living in Haiti have the best understanding of the risk factors and we will listen to their advice regarding our schedule of events and the locations where we plan to be throughout our stay in Haiti. For more information on the safety of travel to Haiti, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1134.html. To register your trip with the U.S. Embassy, please visit https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.

6. What adoption search services are available for me?

The following services may be available -- file review, meeting caregivers, and birth family search. If you are interested in any of these services, the process must be initiated very soon to allow time to complete a search. These services are not included in the Visit Haiti Tour fee. Read more on Dillon's Search & Intermediary Services for Haiti.

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Contact Tour Staff

Mrs. Rebecca Leaming Hackworth will be your tour leader. Ms. Hackworth is Director of Social Services and also directs Dillon's Haiti Program. She has been with Dillon International since 1989. She is an adoptive mother of two beautiful girls from Haiti and has traveled extensively in the country of Haiti. She has also been a tour leader for our Visit China Tour and has accompanied numerous adoptive family groups to China and India to receive their children.

Rosalyn Metcalfe is Tour Coordinator for all birthland trips. Ms. Metcalfe has been with Dillon International since 2003. In her role as tour coordinator, she will assist families with registration, tour information, and air travel preparation. To contact her, please email Rosalyn Metcalfe.

Questions regarding tour itinerary should be directed to Rebecca Hackworth, Tour Director. Questions regarding dates, times and airline reservations should be directed to Rosalyn Metcalfe, Tour Coordinator. For more information, call 918/749-4600, email or write: Dillon International, 3227 East 31st, Suite 200 Tulsa, OK 47105