A marriage of Eastern and Western cultures in a paradise-like setting, the Philippines has been described as the best-kept secret of the Orient. Azure seas cradle its seven thousand islands; a hundred cultures spawn its hundred tongues. The country is full of contrasts; a study of western style democracy and iron-fisted regimes; peopled by men and women of deep piety in the midst of liberalism; land-marked by skyscrapers beside old stone churches and walled cities; a place where one finds in its lakes the smallest commercial fish and in its seas the largest fish in the world; an environment where both the earth's biggest raptor - the Philippine (monkey-eating) eagle - and the smallest primate - the tarsier live. Every visitor gets to taste and experience the world in a day in the Philippines.
The Global Volunteer Network's partner organisation in the Philippines is a newly established NGO. Their objective is to assist and develop local Filipino communities through education, integration, research and volunteerism. Their programs are nationwide, assisting local communities with their basic needs, focusing on children.
The volunteer opportunities are in the following areas:\
For more information about the program please visit the Philippines volunteer program on the Global Volunteer Network website.
So, tomorrow I leave for my trip to the Philippines! I cannot wait to be there! Traveling there will take a while but I am sure it will be worth it. I will report more once I get there, hopefully then I will know a whole lot more about it all.
Maricat:)
I have now completed my time volunteering in the Philippines. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the cabinet for the library while I was there. But CERV is completing the work as we speak. The daycare center and surrounding community will have a library complete with many textbooks in the very near future!!
I am very sad that my work is now complete. I’ve been thinking about how best to describe the experience and am at a loss for words. I feel that this is certainly one of the very best things I have done with my life thus far. I [...]
Magandang hapon (good afternoon)! I greet you once again in the fourth and final week of my volunteer project with CERV-Philippines.
At this point, we have completed work at the Carmen Daycare Center on Tablas Island. It was very gratifying to finish after all of our hard work. The roof turned out very well, as did the painting (although I think I got more paint on my pants than on the walls…). The Daycare is now a much more happy place, and I’m sure the children will love it!
There has been a change of plans for my project, and after finishing [...]
Hello everyone!
So it has been a while since my last entry. I apologize for the delay, but the internet access here in Romblon (Particularly on Tablas island) is unreliable and very slow. Luckily on the main island of Romblon has a high speed internet cafe, which is where I am right now!!
The last two weeks have absolutely flown by. The Philippines is a wonderful country, with wonderful people, food and festivals! And I have learned so much.
Romblon is absolutely gorgeous!! Manila was so crazy and chaotic, it was really nice to get to a more peaceful area. Most importantly for [...]
Today we officially began our projects, and had our first lesson on the Philippines. I found the orientation very useful and very helpful, as the Philippines is so very different from my country (Canada). It’s nice to have an understanding of their customs and their history. Everyone in the CERV office is really great, and are making me feel right at home. The other volunteers are also really nice and very friendly. Tonight we will be having some traditional Philippine food (ie. balut, a boiled duck egg which I’m told is a local favorite). It should be very interesting!
It is [...]
Well hello everyone! Here I am in Manila. I’ve safely made it to the other side of the world It is pretty chaotic here, and very very hot! But it is beautiful. So far the food is great and the people are really nice. I begin my volunteer project orientation tomorrow, which I am looking forward to very much. I’ve met one of the volunteers I will be working with, and will meet more tonight. Everyone is very friendly! As I mentioned above, I am looking forward to getting my project started and to getting adjusted to the heat [...]
This is just a quick post to ensure the journal works properly. My trip is coming up fairly soon and I am getting very excited to leave (18 days left!)! Hopefully everything will go smoothly Talk to you again soon.
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