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TRIP PHP0225.MM

Volunteer in Philippines February 2025 Poverty Eradication. Social Justice. Global Engagement.

C$2,950Trip costs qualify for a tax receipt in US and Canada
Feb 8, 2025 Feb 15, 2025 Toledo on the island of Cebu, Philippines Adult & Family Trip handUp for Education

Cebu, PhilippinesWorking together to bring people together

Our teams in Cebu have built homes for families and made improvements to schools while working with our in-country partner, Rise Above Foundation, a non-profit, Non-Government Organization, based in Cebu, Philippines that aims to help improve the quality of life for the poor and underprivileged.

DWC’s upcoming volunteer teams will be helping to repair classrooms and undertake general repairs  to benefit Caba-asan Elementary School and its six teachers and 117 students. The school is situated at Caba-asan, Dambagon, Pinamungajan, about 80 km from Cebu City. It suffered extensive damage from the Odetta Typhoon.

Volunteers will make an impact in the lives of children here, who need quality education to lead better lives.

 

MAKE AN IMPACT
In Philippines
  • As of 2021 almost a quarter of the 111 million Philippine population live in poverty.
  • As of 2019, an estimated 64% of Filipino households struggle with food insecurity, and 2 in every 10 children under the age of 5 are underweight. The high rates of natural disasters and large numbers of people living in rural areas contribute to this hunger problem and make food inaccessible for many in the Philippines.

Volunteer to make a differenceA Typical Workday in Philippines

As a volunteer helping families and schools in Cebu, Philippines, you can expect to work six to eight hours per day. This means waking up early, around 6:00 or 7:00 am for breakfast and travelling to the project site to begin work between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. You will work at your own pace and you don’t need any special skills or training. We hire local skilled labourers who will give training onsite. There is a lunch provided in the middle of the day and the project work typically wraps up around 4:00 pm. For dinner, the team typically selects a restaurant near their accommodation.

You’ll work alongside like-minded volunteers who are also passionate about travel and giving others a hand up, not a hand out.

Island Hopping in the Philippines

The Philippines is a remarkable country made up of more than 7,000 islands. The island of Boracay in the Philippines is famous around the world for its beautiful white beaches. The island is only 7km in length and at its narrowest just 500m wide but people flock here for the outstanding beauty that the island offers. The main attraction is White Beach that has a 4km stretch of white sand that is surrounded by restaurants, hotels and diving shops.

Banaue Rice Terraces to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and it is easy to see why when you begin to look at their shear magnificence. The terraces are 2,000 years old and they were carved into the mountains of Lfugao with the use of very few tools. The terraces are still used today by the locals who plant their vegetables and rice there, as they are naturally irrigated by the surrounding rainforests.

Trip Details

Itinerary
  • Saturday, February 8  Team travels to Cebu City then to Toledo about 80 km from Cebu City.
  • Sunday, February 9th The team explores the local culture in the Toledo area.
  • Monday, February 10 to Friday, February 14– PROJECT WORK in Caba-asan, Dambagon, Pinamungajan
  • Friday February 14, head back to Cebu City
  • Saturday, February 15 – Fly home or continue enjoying the beauty of Philippines
Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost?
The cost of this trip is displayed at the top of the page. This cost includes accommodations, meals, in-country transport, program costs, and a donation to our host partner in their respective country. It does not include airfare and you are responsible for booking your own flights. The entire trip is 100% tax deductible. A $1000 non refundable deposit is due once the trip is confirmed which is then credited towards your trip cost. Your trip cost is due in its entirety 45 days prior to departure. Select trips may be subject to additional cultural activity fees. As of 2025 airfare will no longer qualify for a tax deductible receipt on our open trips. US volunteers may be subject to administrative fees/exchange rate adjustments.

Are accommodations included and what are they like?
DWC books your accommodations for you, and it is included in your Trip Cost! Your team will stay at a local hotel that is comfortable and clean. Rooms are booked as shared double occupancy. You may upgrade to a private room for an additional cost, where possible. We will do our best to accommodate adjustments.

Are meals provided and can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
All meals are included in your trip cost. Some meals will be at the hotel, while others at local restaurants. The food is prepared hygienically, and dishes range from local to standard western fare. Volunteers submit a health form to DWC and all requests for dietary restrictions will be provided to the Team Leader, hotel, and host partner, to be accommodated wherever possible. Your Trip Cost does not include tips, alcohol, or snacks.

Can I add personal travel onto this trip?
Absolutely! We want you to have the best travel experience possible. If you choose to add personal travel onto the front or back end of your trip, you are welcome to book your own accommodation and transportation arrangements for early arrivals or late departures, however you are required to arrive in time to fully participate in the volunteer experience with your team. Personal travel would not be covered in your tax-deductible receipt.

Can my family come on the trip with me?
The trip cost listed is a per person rate. Family members can participate in the trip as part of the volunteer team by paying a separate trip cost. Children 12-17 wishing to participate in a volunteer trip require a parent/guardian with them.

What is the minimum age requirement to volunteer?
Children under 12 are unable to participate in our program due to the nature of the volunteer work involved. Children 12-17 wishing to participate in a volunteer trip require a parent/guardian with them.

Do I need construction experience and how much will we work?
You don’t need special skills or training to be able to help. We hire local skilled labourers who will give training onsite for construction and team leaders. You will work at your own pace, within your own comfort level, five days a week from about 8AM to 4PM. Your evenings and weekends are free for cultural activities and relaxing.

What is the work site like and what is the intensity of the labour?
There is a building manager and translator on site. Tasks on the work site vary and you will only be asked to do what you are comfortable with and within your physical abilities. There is no pressure!

Why should I volunteer?
Support sustainable change with us. Learn about the world and yourself, lend a hand and build hope. Every bit of time spent on a DWC project is helping a person, a family, or a community. You’ll know that your contribution will make someone’s life better. DWC matches teams of volunteers and resources with people and organizations in developing nations to alleviate poverty and inspire hope and your efforts do have impact. The experience is enhanced by working as a team. Simply put, there is joy and self-discovery that comes with giving to others. And you’ll have fun doing it, too.

Are DWC trips religious or political in nature?
DWC has no religious or political affiliations.

Meet the Trip Leader

Each trip is coordinated by DWC with the help of a Team Leader, who has travelled with DWC previously, is First Aid Certified, and has completed a Criminal Record Check. Your Team Leader will liaise with DWC and ensure all your questions are answered. Your Team Leader will handle all team finances through the trip and travel with you to ensure the best possible travel and volunteer experience for their team! They also facilitate fun, cultural experiences where possible, ensuring group cohesion. See your Team Leader Biography here:

Melani McBratney

Although relatively new to the DWC family, I have always had a strong passion for volunteerism and non-profit work. Having spent much of my career in accounting, I made a significant shift from capital to social enterprise in 2020, when I joined a local hospital foundation, hoping to provide meaningful impact in my community. Now, as the Director of Business Enterprise, I oversee a dedicated team of 230 amazing volunteers, all committed to the mission of driving healthcare forward in our region. Inspired to further expand my knowledge and contributions in the social sector, I recently completed a three year program in Non-Profit Management at Simon Fraser University.

In 2023, I had the opportunity to expand my volunteerism beyond local borders for the first time, when I travelled to Lima, Peru with DWC, and it was an absolute game changer in my life! What an incredible experience it was to share with my son and brother, and an amazing way to see the world. The opportunity to immerse in the local culture and cause, while having positive impact was truly transformative, and I’m so excited to share this experience with others on the next adventure, so they too, can witness the power of grassroots efforts in creating last change!

Travel Light Offset Your Carbon Footprint

Carbon offsets are used to compensate for the greenhouse gasses that we create through certain activities, such as flying. For every tonne of carbon released into the atmosphere, an ‘offset’ is a carefully designed project that absorbs or stores the equivalent CO2 emissions. You can choose to offset your own flight, your whole family’s, or do this as a gift for a friend.

Offset Your Carbon Footprint

Joy

Volunteer Program Manager

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