Kaya Volunteering Projects for Children 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: Volunteering with children is one of the most rewarding areas to volunteer in as you can really help change the future of the children around you. Kaya has over 30 projects working with children spanning South America, Central America and Asia. Whether you are working in an orphanage, teaching English or working with abused children you have the chance to develop and equip the children with skills for a brighter future.

Work in an Orphanage in the Philippines:
In this developing country, thousands of impoverished children grow up in orphanages, most of which are understaffed and have few resources. Your role is to provide essential caregiving, nurturing, teaching and mentoring to kids who are growing up without much adult interaction.

On the island of Leyte, based around its capital city of Tacloban, are various orphanages whose children are often emotionally or developmentally delayed because of little adult interaction. Often, the only source of their basic emotional security is from volunteers who provide affection, spend time with the children and improve their social, physical and emotional development.

Street Children Project in the Philippines:
Role models are needed to mentor and teach street children and help them learn to make healthy choices, stay in school, and other guidance to brighten their bleak futures. In the Philippines, more than 250,000 children live on the streets and around 20,000 a year are imprisoned every year. Most of these children survive by begging and scavenging in dumpsites and garbage piles for plastic bottles to recycle for small amounts of money. Many street kids resort to prostitution, and are addicted to sniffing industrial glue, which is cheap and helps silence their hunger pains. This project aims to provide safe housing, healthy food, educational support and - with volunteers' help - the love, trust and care these children need to improve their chances in life.

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