PHILIPPINES
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Filippino, English
POPULATION: 91.8 million (2009)
GDP per CAPITA (PPP US$): Philippines $3,515 Canada $35,812 (2009)
% of Population BELOW POVERTY LINE: 34% (2008)
United Nations Human Development Index (HDI)
The HDI measures the average progress of a country in human development. It provides a ranking of 179 countries based on three dimensions of human developemnt: living a long and healthy life, being educated and having a decent standard of living.
PHILIPPINES Country Ranking 105
WHY VOLUNTEER IN the PHILIPPINES?
Poverty in the Philippines is most severe and most widespread in rural areas and, although variable by region, is widespread in the southern Philippines. Poor productivity growth in agriculture, under-investment in rural infrastructure, unequal land and income distribution, high population growth and the low quality of social services lie at the root of rural poverty. Volunteers will begin construction of a community centre that will be home to educational and outreach programs in Cebu. Developing World Connections’ long term commitment is to help improve the community members’ life options and to increase their self-sufficiency.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Volunteer! Volunteers support whatever is of priority of the Host Partner and the community in Cebu. Volunteers who choose Philippines work side-by-side with the people in the area of Cebu. Participants support locally driven projects that deal with housing, food security, education, and vocational training. No special skills are required.
We invite people who cannot give the gift of time to donate to programs and projects in the Philippines through Developing World Connections. Visit the Donate page or contact us for more ways to be of service.
WHAT CAN I SEE?
Upon completion of the Volunteer Experience, we recommend volunteers explore old Manila and see what remains of the massive wall that protected the Intramuros (Walled City). Take in the breathtaking UNESCO rice terraces of Banaue. Ringing around the mountainside, the terraces were hand-carverd over 2,000 years. Use Cagayan de Oro as the gateway to some of the most beautiful islands of over the 7,000 islands that make up the archipelgo of the Philippines.
WHEN CAN I GO?
| 2010 - Scheduled Experiences |
| MAY 8 TO JUNE 5 (STUDENT) |
| NOVEMBER 5 TO NOVEMBER 19 (CUSTOM) |
| DECEMBER 4 TO DECEMBER 18(SHORT-TERM) |
Note: Schedule is subject to change depending on flight arrangements and suitability for host communities.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
For one week, the Program Cost is $1,600 and for two weeks it’s $2,000. This includes the cost of in-country food, in-country ground transportation, accommodation, project costs and a substantial direct donation to the project. It’s 100% tax deductible.
