LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
STUDY TOURS
It is a 12-14 day journey towards understanding, relationship building and listening. It may breathe new life into a traveler's thoughts on the Gospel. Since 1945 LWR has sought to assist people in developing countries to find solutions to their problems from within their own communities and resources. Study tour participants meet these people, see their innovations, encourage them, rejoice with them, learn from them and return home impassioned and empowered to advocate on their behalf. Study tours may focus on a theme such as HIV/AIDS, food security, peace building or healthcare.
Who participates in a study tour?
U.S. Lutherans and others who care about justice. Former travelers have included clergy, lay, couples, singles, families, seniors, fathers, young adults, lawyers, doctors, farmers, stay-at-home mothers, students – people with open hearts and minds who seek to be in a more collegial relationship with neighbors in developing countries. A group or parish may wish to work with LWR to design a trip especially for their members.
Partners and project participants. People who wish to share their joys and sorrows, innovations and challenges as they work to improve their communities and the world.
LWR staff. People who seek to provide a safe, educational and inspirational experience; ensuring hospitality for travelers and an occasion to share triumphs and trials for partners in the field.
What are the expectations of participants?
All parties – study tour participants, partners, project participants, LWR staff – are expected to treat one another as colleagues and children of God before during and after the study tour. In part, this means moving beyond a "have/have not" or "we give/you receive" relationship. A document called the "LWR Study Tour Covenant" is read, discussed, and signed by all parties before the trip embarks. This discussion is part of the day one orientation for travelers.
How is a study tour different than a traditional mission trip?
LWR study tours are mostly "listening" trips. The itinerary usually does not include a physical aspect. For example, a study tour group may learn how a community improved their literacy rates; but the group would likely not participate in the building of a school. A study tour group offers project participants a platform to share their innovations and successes. Study tour participants become cheerleaders, encouragers, learners -- but not the doers. A listening trip is in harmony with the way LWR has related to partners for decades – we do not come with answers. We come with open hearts and minds, to walk with people as they identify their own problems and unlock their own solutions. There may be occasions where LWR study groups engage in physical activity, say picking coffee, as a show of solidarity and a means to build personal relationships with the local community.
How can I share the trip with my friends, family and parishioners?
Before the trip
LWR provides a detailed information packet that includes the study tour covenant, issue papers, travel ethics papers, partner information and a packing list. Additionally, group members are provided with a bulletin insert/flyer to inform others about the web diary (see next point).
During the trip
A web diary and pictures are offered up on LWR's website. Postings are added as often as the itinerary allows, usually every two or three days. Group members reflect on the day and electronic notes and photos are sent to LWR's webmaster.
Following the trip
LWR provides a news release for local newspapers and church newsletters. Participants may personalize and use as appropriate.
A study tour is really a series of shorter tours with a variety of people and settings. A tour may take place in a remote lush countryside, on a small family farm. The family may proudly show their one goat and diversified garden, both representing great strides for this farm. The neighbor slated to receive the goat's kid may stop by to say hello, upon learning that there are guests. A tour may take place in a conference room of a partner organization, glad for a chance to, say, share their methods of enlisting participants, which could number in the thousands. Flip charts, handouts and tea might be part of the presentation. A tour may take place under an awning in an urban slum, among a circle of shy but excited teenagers whom eagerly tell about their recent youth event, clearing litter and distributing HIV/AIDS leaflets. Following such a meeting, tour participants may be surprised to discretely learn that the handsome and enthusiastic youth are either orphaned or have mothers who must prostitute themselves for a living. Each tour may conclude with warm pleasantries, shared gratitude and prayers. It is almost like old fashioned touring -- just meeting the neighbors.
Where do study tours go?
Since 1985, LWR has sponsored study tours to project sites in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The itinerary combines LWR project sites, cultural stops, and courtesy calls to local religious and political leaders. A group may go to a hospital, office, home, farm, slum, church, refugee camp, museum, a natural wonder, safari and/or embassy.
Who pays for a study tour?
Study tour participants pay their own costs. LWR study tours seek to enhance the existing community development program, not take its place. Therefore all expenses related to the trip must be covered via registration fees. LWR does not supplement costs with precious program funds. Travelers may seek support from their home parish, synod/district, community, friends, family, foundations or other sources. LWR is conscious of the fact that the cost of just one registration fee could equal a partner organization's budget for a whole year or more. We approach the expenses with humility, in respect to the traveler who must make financial sacrifices and to the people to be visited, most of whom shall never leave their home communities much less travel around the world. LWR challenges study tour participants to consider supplementing travel expenses with additional funding to support the actual programs to be toured.
How can I contribute to a project that especially touches me?
Study tour groups will tour about five of some 100 partners that LWR relates to around the world. Partners are usually small-scale agencies with big ideas on how to improve their own communities. Instead of "reinventing the wheel" LWR simply seeks to support the good work that local agencies are already doing. A partnership relationship may look different, depending on the country, partner, needs and resources. LWR's work with a partner agency may be
- as simple as helping to open up a bank account.
- as interesting as convening a regional conference to share ideas.
- as technical as training finance officers in budgeting and accounting techniques.
- as provocative as asking why there are no women in leadership.
- as ordinary as contributing to the overall budget of the partner organization.
- as challenging as expecting complete accountability.
It is usually not a simple matter of handing over a check and expecting results. It is cooperation, mutual learning, connecting, sharing, improving, challenging, questioning. It is a dynamic give and take through good and difficult times. It is love.
LWR invites U.S. Lutherans to join in the partnership – not only by seeking to support the people who benefit from the project, but also by supporting the partnership methodology. LWR asks that study tour participants please respect the uniqueness of each partner relationship and allow it to take its natural course. Please do not give cash or material goods directly to partners. Support may be given via Lutheran World Relief in Baltimore. It is not as sensational, but it allows for the best outreach to the greatest number of people around the world. For more information on how LWR chooses partners and builds the relationship, please see the document "How LWR Relates to Partners."
What is included in the registration fee?
Almost everything, and much more. Lodging, meals, transportation, tips, international airfare, visa fees, administrative costs, educational materials, private listserv access. Additionally, study tour participants receive "double accompaniment," including a US-based escort and a field-based host who guide the group at all times. This ensures the highest quality of personal security, project and political knowledge, and cultural authenticity. A domestic connection to the international departure airport is an additional fee, depending on the traveler's hometown. It is usually quite low because our travel provider negotiates the cost based on international group air reservation.
When do study tours depart?
It varies. Pre-designed trips are scheduled during times that offer the best travel climate in the designated destination. Study tours designed especially for a particular group or parish may depart on a date mutually agreeable by the traveling party and LWR, taking into consideration the climate and program schedule.
Why is there a study tour program?
LWR's way of working has always centered on relationships. A milieu of mutual respect and learning is one of the pleasures of working with partners overseas. The study tour program seeks to broaden the interaction and share the joy. One of the greatest learning that a returned study tour participant may hold is that people in developing countries have so much to teach us! LWR's study tours objectives include uplifting project partners by the tour; and empowering study tour participants to further support the important work they're doing, via joining the LWR speakers bureau, joining the LWR advocacy network, writing and other artistic endeavors, financial support, enlisting other travelers and in other ways.
I would even go as far as saying that a study tour shows that Jesus is alive and well. He is still doing all the things we read about in the Bible – he's healing the sick, he is loving his enemies, he is preaching sacrifice, he is reaching out the poor, he is making a place for the marginalized, he delivers hope and joy. Jesus is in corners of the world we might never expect . . .and he calls us to follow him. T. Speirs
How are logistics arranged?
LWR works with a travel provider, Group Travel Directors based in Minneapolis, who make air arrangements, handle financial transactions, process visas and offer helpful travel tips. GTD representatives are available via a handy 800 number to answer detailed itinerary questions. GTD can also arrange add on trips, for people who wish to extend a personal vacation on to the study tour. Ad-on destinations have included a safari or Victoria Falls in East Africa, Egypt in the Middle East, or an extended European stay. GTD can also help you make personal plans to tour friends and family before or after a study tour. Field arrangements, such as lodging, meals and transportation are made by local nationals, whether they be staff from an LWR regional office, the International Center of Bethlehem, or an LWR partner agency who is especially practiced in hosting guests. LWR, GTD, and the field contacts work together to provide the best value for the traveler. Even the travel planning process is based on long-standing relationships of mutual trust and respect.
How can I get more information?
Contact Becky Thernes, Study Tour Coordinator, rthernes@lwr.org.
Lutheran World Relief
700 Light Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
phone: 410-230-2737
webpage: www.lwr.org/study
