Volunteers in the Orphanage Program work in and around the city of Tacloban, located in the Island of Leyte in Philippines. As a volunteer, you will work in an orphanage assisting children with various activities including games, sports, teaching, hygiene & education.  You will also assist the local staff and help them in administration work wherever possible. Volunteers also get involved in art & craft activities and organizing short trips to local destinations with the children. Once you get involved, you will not want to leave as the kids give so much love and affection to you. Volunteers who would wish to help the orphanage in routine tasks as well as initiate special activities.  Volunteers can help in cleaning, feeding and playtime activities for the abandoned, neglected, surrendered and street kids in the community.
 
Our volunteers work 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 firsthand the hardship most children in the world face, and give back to the underprivileged children growing up in a Third World country.
Volunteers working in this project work for 5-6 hrs a day for 5 days a week.

Program Requirements
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the beginning of the program. Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

Project Location
The project placements are located in and around the city of Tacloban. Tacloban is the capital of the large island Leyte , in the Visayas region of the country.

 

Airport Receive/ Transfer: Volunteers are picked up from the Tacloban Airport (TAC) by the local staff or coordinator.Those volunteers who will be already in the country will be met by the staff at a designated meeting point decided beforehand.

Orientation: All volunteers are provided with an orientation session by the staff. The session covers areas like, culture, greetings, locations, transportation, volunteer project placements etc.

Lodging: Volunteers stay with a local Filipino host family Each volunteer will have its own room and will be provided with an electric fan. Accommodations are simple and basic.

Food: The home stay will provide you with two meals a day: breakfast and dinner. Filipino’s diet consists of a lot of rice, meat (chicken and pork), and vegetables.

Insurance: All participants are covered for full comprehensive Travel and Medical insurance for their time of stay in our project. To view a copy of the Insurance Coverage provided, please click here
 
In-country support: 24 hours support provided by our local staff. You will be provided with the contact details of the local coordinator and staff who will be contactable 24 hrs once you are in country.

Pre-departure information: After we receive full and final payment all participants are provided by a pre-departure information booklet by e-mail which will have all vital information about your program. The Pre Departure Information Booklet provides the complete details of the country, project locations, Visas, Immunizations, Things to Pack list, Accommodations, Contact Information etc.

During your Free Time
Volunteers can explore the different beautiful islands of the country and the beautiful beaches. In Tacloban, you can visit McArthur National Park and the San Juanico Bridge. 
 

Start Dates
Volunteers can begin their project placement on any Monday of the month.
 
Program Costs
Volunteering Solutions strives hard to keep costs low and offer you the lowest prices with professional services to volunteer abroad. Compare our prices and services to other organizations and you would be surprised to see the difference.

What are you Paying For ?
» 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
» Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
» Airport Pickup
» Orientation
» Food
» Accommodation
» Travel & Medical Insurance
 
What's NOT Included ?
» Airfare
» Visa and Visa extension fee
» Airport drop, airport taxes
»Local Transportation
» Any personal expenses