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TRIP PHP0324.MJ

Volunteer in Philippines March 2024 Poverty Eradication. Social Justice. Global Engagement.

C$2,850Trip and flight costs qualify for a tax receipt in US and Canada
Mar 2, 2024 Mar 16, 2024 Cebu, Philippines Adult & Family Trip handUp for Education
Philippine schoolchildren outside with flags

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. They provide educational opportunities, livelihood training, and health and hygiene programs.

DWC’s upcoming volunteer teams will be helping to repair classrooms, establish a library and build toilets 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. There are about 22 million children in the elementary school section and about 8 million students in high school, getting ready to take on the world.

 

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.

Volunteer painting inside schoolroom Philippines

It's Not All WorkVisit the beautiful Island of Boracay or Banaue Rice Terraces

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, March 2  Team travels to Cebu City then  to Caba-asan, Dambagon, Pinamungajan, about 80 km from Cebu City.
  • Monday, March 4 to Friday, March 15– PROJECT WORK in Caba-asan
  • March 8 and 9 Spend the weekend exploring the the beautiful Philippines islands
  • Saturday, March 16 – 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:

Marcia Julian, DWC Team Leader

Marcia Julian

DWC has been a huge part of my life since the day of its inception nearly 20 years ago. The thought of travelling to a developing country to work alongside the local people seemed romantic and thrilling. Little did I know what a difference it would make in my life and that several countries later, I would still be learning about myself and gaining friendships that will last for many years! I have been on the Board of Directors with DWC since the beginning and was seven years as its first Chair. In 2005 I had the amazing opportunity of travelling on the first DWC trip to Sri Lanka, within weeks of the devastating Tsunami, to build homes for those who were left homeless. I will never forget that experience… Following that trip there were trips as a team leader to Guatemala, Peru, Cambodia (x2), India (x2), Kenya, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Costa Rica. Each country so different and each project so meaningful! I’m a social worker by vocation and community development is my passion. I’m always impressed by the projects that are developed by the in-country host partners in conjunction with DWC. They are always done with the input and empowerment of the people who live there. We come as volunteers to work alongside with them and leave much richer and more compassionate for the experience. It is an action of service and an act of global caring. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to travel with you and to experience the beautiful, emotional, fun-filled….life changing… world of international volunteering.

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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