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CHAPERONE HOSTING RULES Flipbook PDF
CHAPERONE HOSTING RULES
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CHAPERONE HOSTING A Host Parent Guide
• A Host Parent Guide
Required Hosting a chaperone is a requirement of the Project One Forty Three Hosting Program if called upon. In order to bring orphan children to American chaperones are necessary to escort the children to and from America via air transportation. During their time in America, they too need a place to reside. Without their assistance in supervising the children during travel and translation during their stay the success of P143’s international host program would not be possible.
Chaperone ministry Giving a chaperone permission to live as a member of your family during their stay is a ministry in itself. We view our chaperones as honored guests to be made to feel as comfortable and free as any other member of the household. Most are neither presumptuous nor demanding, but gracious and appreciative, not wanting to cause any inconvenience. It is very important for the chaperone host family to take the initiative and reach out to the chaperone. Be willing to put aside your own desires and truly HOST your chaperone as a guest in your home and put them first before yourself. Hosting a chaperone is a great experience. Offering the gift of hospitality to P143 chaperones is hidden blessing. A perfect opportunity to learn more about another culture as well as to share your own!
Cost to host? There are no fees due to P143 to host a chaperone. Most chaperones receive a stipend from P143 to pay for their own basic needs while here. You may wish to invite them out for dinner or special entertainment, but please be sensitive to the fact they do not travel with much money. When taking a chaperone out, your family should plan to pay for the chaperone as well, so it is possible you will incur some costs along the way.
Duration Chaperone host homes are needed nationwide. We don’t like to move chaperones more often than once a week, it’s hard for them to move more frequently than that. You can host for as little as 1 week or as long as 4 weeks. Consider shifting a child for a week to free up a bedroom. The time is short and the international exchange is a wonderful experience.
P143 chaperones are often college age in their young twenties and others are older and more experienced. Multiple chaperones will be chosen from each country and will then be spread out around the U.S. in the various areas where host children are located. In general, each orphanage selects their own chaperones for each trip. This may include an orphanage director, assistant director, social worker or general caregiver. Many of our chaperones are thrilled to be here and instantly fit right in with the host family. Chaperones give up time with their families for many weeks in order to escort orphan children to the United States.
About the
c h a p e r o n e s
The chaperone’s role The first role of the chaperones is to escort the children to and from America on the flight. Children cannot fly alone to any destination. Once they are here, most chaperones will be taking weekly calls from the children associated with their orphanage. P143 will provide most chaperones with a cell phone. Host children are required to call their assigned chaperone weekly. This maintains contact between the children and their orphanage representative.
ACCOMODATIONS
Chaperone host homes must provide a chaperone with their own bedroom. Under no circumstances can they share a room with a child, even a hosted child. They need their own space to retreat to in order to have quiet time to themselves and feel as though they have some privacy. We do not place chaperones in empty homes or apartments by themselves, it would not be safe for them to be alone in a country with different appliance types, different emergency procedures, inability to drive and limited ability to speak the language. It is ok for them to be alone for a few hours at a time, but not completely alone in an unoccupied home.
ENTERTAINMENt
Hosting a chaperone is more than providing accommodations. The chaperone host family needs to take an active role in seeing that the chaperone is entertained while they are here. Confined to a home for days at a time is not an ideal situation for them. Consider if you have the time to entertain a few days and/or ask local family, friends or church members to join in and to the same to see that this chaperone sees the beauty of your local area and is introduced properly to the sights, sounds and culture of America!
MEDICAL INSURANCE P143 provides medical insurance for every chaperone. The chaperone will receive this information before arriving at your home. A medical deductible may be necessary if an emergency arises. Small, locally owned pharmacies can/will probably give you a better price.
CHAPERONE HOUSING SCHEDULE
The chaperone will receive a copy of the Chaperone Housing Schedule prior to their arrival and again upon arrival in the USA. All host families par ticipating in housing a chaperone will also receive a copy of the schedule. Please assist the chaperone in making contact with their next host family and help them schedule and make the appropriate bus connections.
FLIGHTS If you are the host family returning a chaperone to the airport for departure, please have the chaperone arrive at the airport at least 20 minutes before families are required to arrive.
BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING When a chaperone is staying in your home, remember if you are talk about the host country or about orphans – You are talking about their country, their homeland and their culture. Be respectful and know – even though some of it may be true – even though some of it may be true, it will still be offensive because you are speaking of their home.
BE A GOOD HOST
Remember, when a chaperone is staying in your home they are used to a whole different routine and way of life. Be courteous and offer your kitchen from the start as “open access” to the chaperone, inviting them to prepare themselves a snack or meal anytime. Show them where everything is kept and make them feel at home. Always keep easy snacks out in the open for chaperones as they are used to a different eating routine which may include many, small healthy meals a day.
COMMUNICATION Please be considerate and let your chaperone know when you leave the home and when you will return. NO, it is not a requirement nor their business. But it is a nice and polite thing for you to do, to notify them if you have a doctor’s appointment and will be out for an hour. Or if you are running to the market – they may want to go!
MONEY TALK Talk of hosting expenses is a big no–no. It may seem at times like an open door opportunity to complain or even brag about the cost of hosting an orphan child. DON’T DO IT. Remember, this is a ministry and nothing good will come of discussing money and the financial burden you incur to help that child. Keep this close in your heart, please.
TECHNOLOGY
DO ALLOW chaperones to borrow your iPad or laptop if you are comfortable with this. They would appreciate access to email to communicate to friends and families far away back home. Plus, many times it is much easier to communicate by email to their Lead Chaperone as well as P143 Directors rather than via text or cell phone. Please keep this in mind, as we have families scattered across the USA in different time zones and therefore access to email can be very helpful. Also keep check of your own email and and phone messages as many times we may be trying to reach a chaperone with a malfunctioning cell phone.
PLEASE DO NOT ASK YOUR CHAPERONE TO LOOK AFTER YOUR HOST CHILD OR OTHER CHILDREN.
Chaperones are not baby sitters. They are paid for their translation expertise as well as escorting the children via airplane to and from the USA. Do not assume they want to be with children 24 hours a day. Please treat them as you would any other guest – not a a sitter.’
S I T T E R S
HOUSE KEEPING PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT YOUR CHAPERONE to clean your home. They are your guest. If a chaperone offers to help – gladly accept this opportunity as many cultures breed busy hands and hard workers. But do not expect it, only if it is offered to you.
Making Arrangements
Please make arrangements with each family hosting the same chaperone before and after your family’s host time. It will be up to you and the other family to MAKE CERTAIN you have scheduled a meeting time and place in advance to exchange the chaperone. Please make sure the chaperone knows well in advance the plans for transfer to the next family. You will be provided with all Host Family address and phone numbers.
Schedule Changes PLEASE DO NOT MAKE PLANS TO SWAP chaperone housing DATES unless it has been approved through the P143 Housing Coordinator first. This is crucial to P143 scheduling, purchasing plane, train and bus tickets as well as notifying families.
EXPECTATIONS… CHAPERONES SHOULD NOT expect for you to pay for, purchase gifts or buy anything on demand. Anything you choose to do for your chaperone is considered a gift and not a requirement. NEVER should a chaperone tell you that it is expected for you to take them here or there or purchase this or that. If you encounter this problem, please do let your P143 Coordinator know as there must be some misunderstanding and we are sure to work it out.
Do not find yourself competing with the chaperone over your host child’s attention or over who is right or wrong when instructing the child. Keep in mind, you are both from different countries, different cultures and many of these chaperones are very young themselves, college age. Don’t get caught up in the moment. You may just find in your heart you may want to parent your host child more than you ever realized. :)
C O M P E T I t I o n