Volunteer with the Street Children

  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: There is a large number of children living on the streets in Tacloban City. These children aren't orphans but their families can't provide the basic necessities for them, so they turn to the streets in search of food.

Currently, the Department of Social Welfare is constructing a facility to house and teach the street children. Most children who have settled on the streets have families of their own but turn to the streets in search of food. Glue sniffing, known as "rugby" in Tacloban, is a common addiction amongst the street children who turn to this drug to suppress their hunger pains. Volunteers can assist the Social Welfare Office in helping to give the simple things these children lack in life, such as compassion, trust, love, and food.

The 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, the Volunteer for the Visayans aim 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.

Highlights: 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 assist the City Social Welfare Department staff, organize activities for the kids, conduct tutorials and simply play with the children.

Age Range: 18 +

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application