Volunteer in the PHILIPPINES

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:  Filippino, English

POPULATION: 103.8 million

GDP per CAPITA (PPP US$): Philippines $4,100   Canada $41,100

% of Population BELOW POVERTY LINE: 32.9%

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. 

VOLUNTEER PROJECTS

Volunteers support whatever is of priority of our Host Partner, Rise Above Foundation, 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. Developing World Connections' long-term commitment is to help improve the community members' life options and to increase their self-sufficiency.

Our most recent project has to been to build the Rise Above Foundation Community Centre. The center is located at the outskirts of a very poor area called Sambag II in Guadalajara, Guadalupe in Cebu City. The people in the area live in shacks, and as many as 40% of the youth never finished high school education. The centre will offer free education using the Alternative Learing Systems, which is set up to allow local residents to complete their secondary education. It also will provide medical and dental services through the Rise Above Free Clinic and arrange "feedings", meals for local families who are in need of help.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

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?

Note: The Volunteer Experiences Schedule will be updated every two weeks.
Schedule is subject to change depending on flight arrangements and suitability for host communities.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Short Term Trips: A two week trip to the Philippines costs $1,999. This includes the cost of in-country food, in-country ground transportation, accommodation, project costs and a substantial direct donation to the project. It does not included airfare; however, all costs paid through DWC are 100% tax deductible, flight included.

Student Trips: A four week student trip varies in price from $2,000 - $2,400 (flights not included) depending on number of participants. You can fundraise for your trip and DWC will issue charitable receipts to your donors.

Trips may be cancelled if not enough people are registered so please sign-up early to avoid disappointment. A $500 deposit is required to hold your spot on the trip; the remaining balance is due 60 days prior to your trip.

We invite people who cannot give the gift of time to donate to programs and projects in the Philippines through Developing World Connections.