Kaya Volunteering for Educational Projects in the Philippines

  Philippines

• Visayas: 
Tacloban City

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Every Monday

Description: Kaya provides many English teaching placements but we also provide alternative education programs such as working with blind, deaf and children with Down syndrome. Education for these minority groups is poor and they are in great need of outside help. Be ready for minimal teaching aids and know now that you will be the main teaching resource. It is a great opportunity for the children to learn from a native speaker and hear the correct pronunciation, and all you need is a good level of English to participate in many of the placements.

Teach English in the Philippines:
Give rural, impoverished children a valuable boost for their future by teaching them English, a necessity for most well-paying work in the Philippines. English is the country's second official language, and therefore it is not surprising that most Filipinos can understand, speak and write at least some English. But teachers in poorer schools are often not native English speakers, and so the presence of British, American, or Australian volunteers is extremely valuable and exciting for the children and teachers alike. Volunteers teach in elementary schools within rural villages where resources are low and the most help is required and appreciated.

Community Work and Deaf Education in the Philippines:
Help underprivileged children, families, the disabled and the elderly by lending a hand with the local Social and Welfare Department of Tacloban City.

This is a great opportunity for those with specialized education or background (such as deaf education or working with autistic children). Working with the Social and Welfare Department can offer more skilled hands-on work within the community than other, more generalized placements (such as working with street children or in an orphanage). Especially needed are deaf educators to teach computer classes to those with impaired hearing; volunteers with experience working with autistic children; and those with IT, database and statistical skills to help modernize the office's administrative operations.

Volunteers with skills in these areas are extremely beneficial to the social welfare department, which aims to give disadvantaged people the skills to provide an income for themselves and their families in the future.

Highlights: Made up of more than 7,000 islands, this Southeast Asian nation is one of the most diverse countries in the world, boasting rain forests, volcanoes, mountains, and coral reefs - as well as what some say are the friendliest people and the most interesting food.

Unfortunately poverty remains a significant problem. Around 1 in 3 Filipinos live below the poverty line and just below 30% of the population live on $2 or less a day. With the help of volunteer projects those in greatest need can look forward to a better future.

Climb Mount Mayon:
Mount Mayon last erupted in 2001 and is considered one of the world's most perfectly cone-shaped volcanoes. It stands at 2462m and takes a moderately fit person two days to scale. Between March and April are the best times to climb, as other times of the year are quite hot and rainy.

Canoe the Pangsanjan Rapids:
Riding the rapids of Pangsanjan River during the wet season from August to October, when the water flow is high, is quite exhilarating and not for the faint of heart. Along the 1½-hour route are stunning waterfalls, towering cliffs and superb scenery, some of which was pictured in the film Apocalypse Now.

Swim with Whale Sharks:
Donsol, a village on the Luzon peninsula, is one of the best places in the world to swim with the largest fish in our seas. To swim with these gentle giants, which grow up to 18m in length, is an unbelievable experience and highly recommended if you have time to explore. Peak months to see these great fish are between February and March.

Volunteers are essential for these projects. Some placements gives wonderful first-hand insight into the difficulties facing the health-care system in a developing nation and, as a volunteer you may be involved in teaching social education and environmental awareness.

Qualifications: Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range: Must be more than 18 years old

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Philippines Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement: Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded: 2008