Since 2010, BTI360 has been partnering with Compassion International to invest in the health and welfare of children in the Dominican Republic. This spring we made our 8th trip to the DR to spend time with the children and communities we invest in.

Over the last 14 years, dozens of teammates have traveled to the DR. These trips have left a lasting imprint on the culture at BTI360. They put our priorities in perspective and make us realize how truly fortunate we are. We have a lot of fun together, too, and we always come back with closer relationships as a team.

Becoming a Sponsor

I work in finance at BTI360, and this year was my first time participating in the trip. When I joined BTI360 in 2018, I signed up to sponsor two children. BTI360 provides the monthly financial support, and I regularly exchange notes and pictures with my sponsor kids in the Dominican Republic. I purposefully chose two kids, Victoria and Eydan , who are the same age as my own kids. We’ve made it a family affair. My kids know our sponsor kids’ names and the details of their lives, and we have enjoyed supporting them through their journey from afar.

After five years of corresponding with them, I felt like I knew a lot about Victoria and Eydan , but there was still so much about their day-to-day that I didn’t really understand. Traveling to the DR allowed me to know them so much better and understand the challenges they face. I visited their homes, met their families, and saw the communities they live in. This was an amazing and rare opportunity—only 1% of sponsors ever get to meet their sponsor kids.

Now that I’ve been to the DR, I have a different perspective. When I write letters to my sponsor kids, I can picture their lives. I can envision their street, their house, and their school.

Meeting Victoria

During the trip I was able to spend several hours with my sponsor kid Victoria and her family and learn more about her situation. She is a smart, charismatic nine-year-old who immigrated to the DR from Venezuela for emergency medical care. Given the unrest in her home country, she can’t return now. This leaves her in legal limbo in the DR. She can’t attend public school, she doesn’t qualify for healthcare, and her family has to pay a penalty every month while she awaits citizenship. I was previously unaware of her unique set of challenges, and I had a new appreciation for how Compassion has come around Victoria to provide healthcare—and support her family in other ways.

Varied Stories, Varied Challenges

Victoria is just one story. BTI360 sponsors over 50 children in the DR, each facing their own unique challenges. Some of the kids live in rough parts of town and have very few resources. We visited a sponsor kid named Christian in his makeshift shelter near the river. His neighborhood is plagued crime and frequent flood. The aid his family receives is vital to helping them make ends meet and setting Christian on a path to succeed in life.

During our visit we took Christian and his family to a park. They did simple things our kids do every week at the playground, but it was mind-blowing for Christian. His mom later told us that before this outing Christian had never been down a slide or jumped on a trampoline. It was humbling to see the challenges these families face and the hope they have through the Compassion program.

Seeing Long-Term Results

During our time in the DR, we also met a number of adults who have graduated from the Compassion program and are now thriving as adults. My translator, Catherine, had once been a sponsor kid. She graduated from the program, attended college, and is a successful professional.

This trip is like nothing I’ve ever done in my professional or personal life. It shows BTI360’s commitment to unlocking the potential of others, and it has given me a greater appreciation for the heart that my teammates have for serving others.

Career Opportunities

Are you interested in joining a company with a heart for giving back to others? Then you’re in the right place! Check out our current Career Opportunities on Life @ BTI360. We’re always looking for teammates with a heart for serving others to join the BTI360 family.