The WLS volunteer program in The Philippines is based in Metro Manila and the nearby cities. The project includes an outreach programme for the street children, free education programme and day centres. The project focuses on the young and vulnerable to assist them in finding a way out of the trap of poverty and to train them in vocational skills so that they can become contributing members to their families and society. In this program you can enjoy both a combine Volunteering & adventures tours.

The projects include an outreach program for the street children, a free education program and day centres for children. The projects focus on young and vulnerable children to assist them in finding a way out of the trap of poverty and to provide eductaion so that they can become contributing members to their families and society.

Volunteer duties: provide the children with English classes,arts & craft, music, sports, computer letiracy and various vocational training. Volunteer on this project would spend their days with the children,  so all skills to keep the children entertained and happy are welcome.

Eligibility & Skills Required:
Volunteers must be:
Fluent in English language
Proficiency with computers
A desire to help children grow
Flexibility
Self-motivation
An openness to a new culture and a willingness to learn & live with a Filipino host family

After Airport pickup, volunteers are provided an orientation that will familiarize them with the city and the surrounding area, the Philippine culture, and the volunteer program. To make volunteers feel welcome, a traditional Philippine dinner will be prepared especially for volunteers the first evening. During the first week of classes, volunteers will collaborate with the social workers & orphanage staff’s to become familiar with the program & the children.

Accommodation: Home stay with a local family or a shared room in a dormitory. Participants will stay with a local host family during their stay in the Philippines. A separate room will be offered to the participant. This is a great opportunity for participants to learn experientially about Philippine culture and family life. Participants can expect pleasant yet modest accommodations. Traditional Philippine food is served twice a day, in the morning and the evening.

Volunteers work about four to five hours a day, five days a week assisting a local social worker with a variety of programs for the children. Volunteers may be asked to provide basic care for the children or participate in other programs. Volunteers who are flexible and eager to help can make a significant contribution in the lives of these children.

During their free-time Volunteers can go to the beach, check their e-mail at an Internet Cafe, do their laundry or explore nearby towns along the City. Participants will also enjoy seeing the beauty of the local culture and environment through several exciting excursions.

Programs generally start on any date of your choice. Participants can choose when they would like to start and the duration of their volunteer program. Program ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Manila. Transfer to your accomodation.
Day 2& 3- Cultural Orientation, basic Language lesson & sight seeing. An introduction to Manila & its suburbs starting point Rizal Park and entering Fort Santiago. From the Walled City of Intramuros, proceed to downtown Manila across the Pasig River. Return to Manila central for a trip to the reclaimed area and the Cultural Center Complex along Roxas Boulevard.
Day 4 &5 - Adventures Tour: Tagaytay & Taal Volcano Crater Trek & Tours. Tagaytay tour & Taal Volcano crater Trek about 1,5 hour drive South of Manila, Tagaytay Ridge at 2,250 ft. above sea level offers a panoramic view of Taal Volcano. Taal Volcano is considered to be the smallest & lowest volcano in the world. Sitting serenely on Taal Lake, the volcano offers a deceptive sight, considering the violent history of past eruptions. In Ripley’s Believe It or Not, it is described as “a lake within an island within a lake within an island”. On the way to the ridge, drive-by-picturesque countryside of coconut & pineapple plantations, fruitstalls & visit the famous Bamboo Organ of Las Piñas Church, the only one of its kind in the world.
Day 6 - 12 - Drive to country side south of Manila for your Volunteer Program Placement.
Day 13  - Return to Manila, time for shopping for souvenirs and explore more of Manila City.
Day 14- Return Home

Testimonies

The Philippines is a country that radiates kindness, family and friend orientation like nowhere I’ve seen. It opened my eyes more than what I expected, I thought it would be a simple 2 months and easy to leave, but not. I felt my teaching had an impact, especially in the Children’s center had thought them to speak better English, being there seemed to be an eye opening for the children in the Government school. I was teaching having the student understand me. The team was very supportive towards me and I was grateful the Adventures & the Volunteering experience were truly amazing that left me wanting to return and help more.
Charles McCarthy, Canada

I felt I had a positive impact with the children and staff in the orphanage that I was working with. I was taken care off and I felt that my opinions are listened. My volunteer & Adventures experience in the Philippines was very fulfilling, moving, inspiring & fun.
Amy Walker, USA

Teaching Children English & arts and learning about Filipino Culture/language, working successfully with the kids at the orphanage and seeing them enjoy and happy is the best accomplishment I had in my volunteer travel experience. Riding with public transport (Jeepneys) around the city was great! It made the experience even better. We were able to see more in less time and weave around pedestrian areas. The staff was very helpful in providing information and helping especially when beginnings. I found the food and accommodation has been very pleasant and comforting. I enjoyed my volunteer placement and hope to visit with you again.
Nicole Matthews, USA

Think of everything that you imagine you are going to learn, see, encounter, and teach on the project and magnify that hundred times…there's your experience in reality. It was incredible. The project opened a whole new door that I never knew was there." I enjoyed the interaction between staff and volunteers and meeting with families in the Province. I also enjoyed staying with host families who were so good to me. There is no way to express how much I enjoyed and learned on this trip. It will forever impact on how I look at the rest of the world. Hopefully I can continue in some small way to make a difference whether it is on my own family, community or the world."
Looking back on my travels, after spending almost 8 weeks in Philippines I am sorry to leave this friendly country with its friendly people, fascinating fabulous Island and excellent cuisine. I had some concerns about the safety before I arrived but it turned out quickly that press exaggerated the situation. I have never experienced hostility towards foreigners, quite the opposite; everybody was very friendly and helpful. My eight weeks has gone very quickly, I am busy with teaching English in the Government school. I stayed in a house with a local family and it was a great experience and get close to the real life of a Filipino traditional family and children.
Carl Lefrete, Canada

The Projects in The Philippines

The Philippines Environmental Program

This program is based in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Laguna & Batangas city. The project includes an outreach programme for the street children, free education programme and day centres Environmant research & Medical Health. Bauan Sanctuary Area aims to start sustainable tourism as a basis for nature conservation and environmental education. The main goals of this project are:
- To conserve the nature reserve, its diverse ecosystem and its wildlife through
tourism
- To reduce the exploitation of natural resources by educating the local people and
creating alternative income opportunities
To create general public awareness on the importance and benefits of waste management, recycling, composting using renewable energy for lights and water heating
- To provide environmental education and create awareness building for tourists and ceating alternative livelihood in surrounding areas
Volunteer Duties: Volunteers help in several ways. You can help for the propagation of seaweeds farm. Diving house reef, Volunteers can also help in implementing the Bauan sanctuary project with regular patrols, beach clean-ups and education on the needs and benefits of the project. Volunteers will be asked to understand and cooperate with the local people. This way, you can help preserving their culture and nature!

The Philippines Outreach program

This program is based in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Laguna & Batangas city. The project includes an outreach programme for the street children, free education programme and day centres. The project focuses on the young and vulnerable to assist them in finding a way out of the trap of poverty and to train them in vocational skills so that they can become contributing members to their families and society.
Volunteer duties: provide the children with English classes,arts & craft, music, sports, computer letiracy and various vocational training. Volunteer on this project would spend their days with the children, so all skills to keep the children entertained and happy are welcome.

The Philippines Health Program

This program is based in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Laguna & Batangas city. The project includes an outreach programme for the street children, free education programme and day centres Environmant research & Medical Health. Philippine laws provide for a community health centre in each of its 41,000 barangays (communities). Sadly, not all communities have their own health centers and those that have one are woefully under-equipped and understaffed. Medically-trained volunteers may help in community health centers and hospitals, and may perform medical tasks depending on their skills and qualifications. They may also conduct training and workshops to teach people on hygiene, health care, reproductive health care, first-aid, and other health concerns.
Volunteers may also help set up clinics in public schools and train teachers and students to become effective health officers and clinic custodians. Community and municipal health centers are open only from Mondays to Fridays. Saturday and Sunday are days off. There are no set working days for disaster relief operations. This program is offered all year round.
Only volunteers who are in their final year of study or who are professional doctors or nurses can participate in the Health Program. Medical students are most welcome. Student-volunteers are welcome to conduct research projects if they so wish, provided they do not in any way interfere with the mandate of the program.
Volunteers may choose between rural or urban placements in this program. Short-term volunteers may like to consider an urban area placement. The work of the volunteers is subject to the needs of the particular health centers or hospitals, however.

For more info go to our other website :

Volunteer in the Philippines
www.GapYearInAsia.com