Volunteer in an Orphanage

  Philippines

• Visayas: 
Tacloban City

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: Volunteer for the Visayans places volunteers in a number of orphanages around the city and surrounding towns. Each orphanage houses between 45 to 100+ abandoned and unwanted children. All these children have come from poor families and many have suffered from malnutrition or neglect. The children thrive on the attention and love our volunteers can share with them.

Living with just the basic necessities, and few toys, these children also only have a limited staff to care for them. The caregivers at the orphanages are very appreciative of the extra help our volunteers can offer them. Volunteers are free to tutor the children, organize arts and crafts or sports activities, and help out with basic chores such as feeding the kids, and folding laundry. This is a meaningful way to learn first hand the hardship most children in the world face, and give back to the underprivileged children growing up in a Third World country.

Volunteers don't necessarily need care giving experience. All we ask is that you come with energy, enthusiasm, an open mind and an open heart. With little staff to organize recreational activities for the children, we ask the volunteers to organize activities such as sports, educational exercises, or arts and crafts. With little resources at the orphanages, it helps if the volunteer can bring educational resources, art supplies, or tapes with children's songs.

Volunteer for the Visayans is dedicated to promoting international education about the people and culture of the Philippines, as well as the economic hardships they deal with everyday, through volunteerism and cultural immersion. At the same time, Volunteer for the Visayans aims to provide support services to the community through its host of local volunteers.   
   
Volunteer for the Visayans is a non-government organization that works with the following objectives:

* To provide volunteer placements for the international and local volunteers in the Philippines.
* To establish bonds between international volunteers and local hosts.
* To provide support services in the areas of social welfare, education and ecology.
* To share and contribute with one another the good thoughts, ideas,experiences, skills,expertise and resources which are possible for the welfare of individual members of the organization, their respective families and the community.
* To enable society to profit from the good deeds and examples along with their cultural heritage, values and traditions for community and prosperity.

Sponsor A Child

When you decide to sponsor a child, you'll get:

* An opportunity of a lifetime to form a lasting bond and friendship with a child in a poor community
* Regular email updates and reports on the life of a child
* Regular letter from the child
* The chance to change someone's life for the better, immediately and directly!

And the child will get:

* Needed school materials and books
* School uniform
* Regular visit to the doctor and supplemental health program
* Nutritional needs (vitamins, milk, rice, snacks, etc)
* After school tutoring and education program
* Organized activities

Qualifications:
- Volunteers must be independent and open-minded.
- Volunteers must be willing to experience a different culture.
- Volunteers should prepare activities for the kids prior to their arrival.

Cost in US$: Please inquire

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers will assist the orphanage staff with day to day chores, organize activities for the kids, conduct tutorials and simply play with the kids.

Age Range: at least 18 years of age and there is no upper age limit

Participants Travel to Philippines Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application