EXPERIENCE: AIDS FAQs

About the Experience

What is the Experience?
The World Vision Experience is an interactive, walk-through exhibit that will transport you into the heart of Africa and the life of a child affected by the AIDS crisis. The exhibit combines a stirring audio tour with captivation photography to give you a whole new perspective on the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.

The Experience is a free exhibit currently touring churches across the U.S.

Learn more about the Experience

Who created the Experience?
World Vision launched a prototype of the experience in the fall of 2005. More than 20,000 people in 10 cities visited the exhibit. The current version of the Experience, created by World Vision with the help of a Seattle-based production company and recording studio, began its 80-city U.S. tour in August 2007.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

Learn more about World Vision

Why did World Vision create the Experience?
The AIDS pandemic is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. It steals parents from children, leaving an entire generation vulnerable to poverty, disease, and exploitation. And we believe it can be stopped.

World Vision created the Experience to highlight the impact AIDS has on children and to inspire and equip churches across the country to help turn the tide on this pandemic.

Right now, more than 22.5 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are living with HIV. More than sixty percent are women. Two million are younger than fifteen. And there are more than 11 million children in Africa who have lost one or both parents because of AIDS.

Through the Experience, you can walk in the steps of a child affected by AIDS and help change the life of one such child.

Are the stories in the Experience true?
The stories in the Experience are inspired by true events from the lives of Babirye, Mathabo, Kombo and Emmanuel. Each child helped tell his or her own story, with the approval and supervision of a parent, guardian, or trained counselor.

The photos in the exhibit were shot on location and include the actual children. Many of the artifacts used in the exhibit are authentic pieces from the children's communities, which World Vision staff obtained through exchange for new versions of the items.

Where can I learn more about the countries featured in the Experience?
World Vision works in communities throughout the three countries featured in the Experience Uganda, Lesotho, and Kenya - as well as nearly 100 others around the globe.

How can I get a job with the Experience tour staff?
Contact us at experience@worldvision.org to let us know of your interest.

Return to top

Visiting the Experience

When will the Experience be in my area?
To see a list of our tour dates and reserve your free tickets to the Experience.

How do I reserve tickets for the Experience?
Reserve Your Tickets here. When you select the time and date you'd like to visit the Experience, you'll be able to see exactly how many tickets are available.

At some locations, you may also have the option of completing a printed sign-up form to visit the Experience.

Shortly after signing up to visit the Experience, you should receive an e-mail confirming your reservation.

How much does it cost to go through the Experience?
There is no cost. The Experience is a free exhibit.

Do I have to have a reservation to go through the Experience?
You don't need a reservation to visit the Experience. However, reserving tickets in advance is strongly encouraged. Those who do so will be given priority access to the exhibit. When the Experience is operating at full capacity, walk-ups may be asked to return at a later time.

How long does it take to go through the Experience?
Most guests find that it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to go through the Experience. The pace is relaxed, providing you with opportunities to sit, stand, and move slowly through the exhibit.

Is the Experience appropriate for children?
The exhibit depicts real-life situations of children affected by the AIDS crisis. Some of these situations may be frightening or inappropriate for young children. Parental discretion is advised.

Visitors to the exhibit will experience the story of one of four children. The minimum recommended age for Kombos and Mathobo's stories is 13. The minimum recommended age for Babirye and Emmanuel's stories is 10.

View the Note to Parents for more information.

Is childcare provided at the Experience?
It is up to each location to decide whether or not to provide childcare during the Experience. Please contact the host location for more information.

Is the exhibit wheelchair accessible?
The exhibit has been designed to accommodate standard wheelchairs. If additional assistance is required, or if special situations arise when visiting the Experience, please contact a member of the tour staff on site or contact the hosting church/venue for special accommodations.

Is the Experience suitable for the hearing impaired?
Guests use a portable audio player with adjustable volume to listen to the audio portion of the Experience. If you'd like, you may request a printed transcript of the Experience to read as you go through the exhibit.

Is the audio for the Experience available in other languages besides English?
A Spanish edition is now available in audio format. In addition, printed transcripts of the Experience are available to read in Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish.

Return to top

Taking Action

How can I share the Experience with my friends and family?
Spread the Word, tell others about the Experience and invite them to share in your journey. For your convenience, the "Spread the Word" page can be found at the bottom of each page on this site. Stay tuned for more tools you can use to share the Experience with others!

How can I do something about the AIDS crisis?
Learn about HopeChild Sponsorship and other ways you can help turn the tide on AIDS.

How can I get my friends and family involved in responding to AIDS?
Learn about getting involved as an individual, as a group with your family and friends, as a company or as a community in making a difference.

Spread the word, and tell your family and friends about the Experience.

Return to top

Volunteering

How do I sign up to volunteer at the Experience?
Visit the volunteering information page for the fastest and most convenient way to sign up. When you select your preferred time and date, you'll be able to see exactly how many volunteers are needed for that shift.

At some locations, you may also have the option of completing a printed sign-up form to volunteer at the Experience.

Shortly after sign-up you should receive an email confirming your volunteer shift.

What kind of volunteers are needed at the Experience?

There are two types of volunteer opportunities: helping with setup or teardown and serving in the exhibit.

Setup and teardown volunteers will be moving heavy objects as they help unpack and build-or dismantle and pack-the exhibit.

Serving in the exhibit includes a number of roles, such as greeting people, handing out audio players, and managing the flow of visitor traffic.

Are there any requirements for volunteering at the Experience?
To help with setup and teardown, you must be at least 16 years old, and be able to lift 50 pounds. To serve in the Experience, you must be at least 14 years old.

How long is each volunteer shift?
Volunteer shifts generally last around three to five hours. When you sign up to volunteer you will be able to see the date, time and length of each available shift.

Do I need to bring anything when I volunteer at the Experience?
If you're helping with setup or teardown, please bring a bottle of water and a pair of work gloves.

Volunteers serving in the Experience don't need to bring anything-just come ready to help make visitors feel welcome!

Volunteers are encouraged to leave any valuables at home. You may keep a small purse or backpack at your work location, however.

What do I need to wear for my volunteer shift?
If you help with setup or teardown, be sure to wear work clothes (including long pants) and closed-toed shoes. Also, don't forget to bring a pair of work gloves.

If you're serving in the Experience, plan on wearing comfortable, but professional clothing. You may be standing for extended periods of time, so be sure to wear a comfortable pair of shoes, too.

How early do I need to arrive for my volunteer shift?
Plan on arriving at least 10 minutes before the start of your shift. The check-in process may take a few moments; arriving early will help make sure you are able to begin your shift on time.

Where do I need to go when I arrive for my shift?
There should be a table marked "Volunteer Check-In" near the entrance to the Experience. Someone will be there to greet you and get you checked in for your shift.

What should I do if I forgot the date or time of my volunteer shift?
After you sign up to volunteer at the Experience, you should receive a confirmation e-mail listing the date and time of your shift. You'll receive another e-mail three days before the day of your shift.

If you don't receive these e-mails, please e-mail us at experience@worldvison.org.

Will I receive any training before my volunteer shift?
If you're serving in the Experience, the first hour of your shift will be spent in training. You'll learn about World Vision, the AIDS crisis and the purpose of the Experience.

Will I be expected to answer questions about World Vision or the AIDS crisis?
Your training at the beginning of your shift should prepare you for most questions. However, there will also be several trained tour staff onsite; feel free to direct any questions to them as needed.

How do I sign up to help with special events at my church during the week of the Experience?
Most churches will plan to hold special events (like a pastor's breakfast, for example) during the week of the Experience. To volunteer or help at one of these events, please contact your church directly.

Return to top

Bringing the Experience to my Church

How do I sign up to bring the Experience to my church?
Please complete the form located under Interested in Hosting Event. We'll follow up with you and provide more information about booking opportunities.

When can I host the Experience at my church?
The Experience is currently booked through 2009. If you are interested in hosting in 2010, please complete the Host Intake Form located under Interested in Hosting Event. Please send us an email at experience@worldvision.org if you have any other questions or need additional information

What's expected of churches that host the Experience?
The Experience was created to help children living in AIDS-affected communities, mainly through World Vision child sponsorships. Hosting the Experience involves a partnership between World Vision and churches who share this vision.
Among other things, churches who partner with World Vision to host the Experience will be asked to do the following:

Recruit an event coordinator to oversee the event at their site-including advance preparations.
Recruit volunteers to help with setup, teardown and serving at the exhibit.
Help promote the event to your congregation, area churches, and the surrounding community.
Plan and promote special events during the week of the Experience.
Ensure the exhibit will be open sufficient hours to maximize the visitor capacity.

What are the facility requirements for the Experience?
World Vision has developed the Experience AIDS exhibit to accommodate venues of different sizes. The approximate ground space needed is 54 feet x 59 feet. In addition to that space, the exhibit has a separate "Marketplace" area of approximately 500-700 square feet, which is ideally located in the same room as the exhibit, but can be placed in an adjacent room. The exhibit can be set up outdoors in some circumstances. Room height should be no less than 14 feet unobstructed.

In addition, the room must have access to power and its own lighting. Pathways to the exhibit must be flat or ramped.

How much does it cost to host the Experience?
While there is no formal fee to host the Experience, host churches typically invest anywhere between $3,000 - $10,000 in the marketing and execution of the event. The precise amount is dependent on the needs and resources of the host church.

These expenses include:

Marketing the Experience to your church and community (to minimize these costs, we'll provide electronic files of customizable pre-designed marketing tools such as posters and bulletin inserts)
Any special events the church chooses to carry out in order to promote the event
Volunteer hospitality (for example, you may provide a snack table for volunteers)
Meals for the 4 World Vision tour staff who travel with the exhibit
Venue rental costs (if you decide to rent a community venue for the exhibit instead of using your own church facility)

How can I partner with another church that's already hosting the Experience?
If another church is hosting the Experience in your community, we encourage you to prayerfully consider ways you can partner together. Here are some ideas:

Consider teaming up to provide volunteers for setup, teardown, and serving in the Experience. You could even ask small groups or Bible study classes to volunteer together.

Help promote the Experience in your community. Encourage members of your congregation-as well as local businesses and community leaders-to visit the Experience.

Invite other churches to partner with your church and the host congregation. Every church can do something to raise awareness and help turn the tide on AIDS.

Develop an ongoing response to the AIDS crisis that will engage your congregation long after the Experience.

If you are interested in partnering with a host church, be sure to contact them and begin exploring opportunities soon!

Return to top

General information about World Vision

Who is World Vision?
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

We provide hope and assistance to approximately 100 million people in nearly 100 countries. In communities around the world, we join with local people to find lasting ways to improve the lives of poor children and families.

Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision works alongside the poor and oppresses as a demonstration of God's unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

Learn more about World Vision

How can I learn more about World Vision?
Please visit www.worldvision.org to learn more about us.

How can I get involved with World Vision?
Visit World Vision online to get involved and learn about the many ways you can help change lives through World Vision.

World Vision also works in the United States and has offices in several cities across the nation. You can use this Interactive Map to see where we're involved and see about local volunteer opportunities, advocacy events, and other programs in your community.

How can I find a job at World Vision?
Please visit World Vision's Career Center to learn more about opportunities with us.

Can I visit Africa with World Vision?
As a general rule, World Vision does not facilitate trips overseas. However, there are a couple of exceptions.

Some child sponsors choose to travel overseas to meet their sponsored children. If you sponsor a child through World Vision, and would like to visit him or her, please contact our U.S. office, at least four months in advance of your desired travel date. Email us at info@worldvision.org or call us at 1.888.511.6592 and ask for a "Request to Visit" form. We'll do our best to arrange your visit and help prepare you for your trip. A local staff member will serve as your guide, and if needed, interpreter.

World Vision also offers Vision Trips for pastors and church leaders who want their congregation to partner with an AIDS-affected community in Africa. To learn more about these trips with World Vision.

Return to top

EXPERIENCE: AIDS FAQs

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

VISITING THE EXPERIENCE

TAKING ACTION

VOLUNTEERING

BRINGING THE EXPERIENCE TO MY CHURCH