Q: Could you give us a short background on Volunteer for the Visayans:
A: Volunteer for the Visayans is a non profit, established Non Government Organization, CN200427692, that focuses on community development and international education. We were recently established last August 2004. We are proud of our unique, Asian culture, and we invite the rest of the world to experience life from a Filipino’s perspective and experience living in a country burdened by economic hardships, yet still optimistic about the country’s existence! Our international volunteers immerse themselves in a culture foreign to their own, while educating the local community about the western world.
Q: What are some volunteer opportunities you offer? Do you have any volunteer opportunities you are particularly proud of?
A: We recruit volunteers from all over the world to volunteer in local orphanages, in government offices such the City Social Welfare Office, the City Nutrition Office, in local elementary schools to teach English, and we have just started to recruit volunteers to help out with a local community health center.
This month we will be opening a community center in the government project where our volunteers stay. We will be organizing community activities for the people, and we will reach out to our volunteers to help organize games and activities for the children.
Q: What kind of daily life should prospective volunteers expect?
A: All our volunteers stay with local host families to learn about Filipino culture first hand and to experience life everyday with a family. They are given two Filipino meals a day, breakfast and dinner.
Filipinos love to eat and fiestas are a big part of the Filipino culture. Every town, city, and barangay (neighborhood) has a fiesta one day a year which consists of families and friends getting together and visiting each other’s homes to eat and sing karaoke! When it’s not fiesta time, Filipinos still love to eat! Sitting around eating for hours is very common here and Filipinos love snacks!
Singing karaoke is a favorite past time of all Filipinos. Even in the rural villages, if they have electricity, they usually might have a karaoke machine and TV. Many volunteers enjoy hanging around with neighbors at a local karaoke bar.
Q: What is the most important piece of advice you can offer future volunteers?
A: To come with an open mind, a willingness to learn about the Filipino culture, and dedication to help the local people.
Q: What is the biggest challenge while volunteering abroad?
A: One of the biggest challenges is adapting to the culture and being aware of cultural differences. It is important for volunteers to be open to other cultures, instead of judging another culture based on their own. Volunteers should be open minded, sensitive and accepting of the differences amongst cultures worldwide.
Q: On the flip side, what is the biggest reward?
A: The biggest reward while volunteering abroad is overcoming the challenge of adapting to a foreign culture and the friendships created with the locals. It is such a unique and eye opening experience to immerse oneself in a foreign country, but it will definitely be an experience of a lifetime and one that you will never forget.
Q: Why should they pay to volunteer with Volunteer for the Visayans? How is the money used?
A: Volunteers have to pay a program fee to pay for the services we provide. We have contact with the volunteer prior to their arrival, and send them pre departure materials. Then we greet them at the airport, arrange their placement and homestay, show them around Tacloban, and give them an orientation to the Filipino culture and the local Waray-Waray dialect. In addition, we arrange excursions for the volunteers, give them a farewell dinner and bring them back to the airport. Our local staff is always available for support for the volunteers as well. The fees cover these expenses along with our administrative fees. We are also running a local community center in the government project where our volunteers stay so the fees help us to cover our overhead expenses for our center and help support our ongoing community projects.
Q: Do you have any advice on funding a volunteer experience abroad?
A: Fundraising is a great way to pay for a volunteer trip overseas and to educate friends and family about the experience you will be embarking on. People are usually supportive of humanitarian efforts overseas and every little donation adds up!
Q: How does volunteering abroad fit into the bigger picture of aid and development?
A: Volunteers can educate the local people about their unique experiences and skills they have learned through previous jobs or other volunteer work. In addition, it exposes the locals to new ideas they can apply in their professions.
It is out goal to expose and educate westerners about the problems people face in a third world country, and we hope they will continue to support our programs after they have left or continue to explore other development programs throughout the world.
Q: Why should someone volunteer with Volunteer for the Visayans?
A: Volunteers should come to the Philippines and work with Volunteer for the Visayans, because there is a great need for help here. Leyte, is one of the poorest islands in the Philippines, but it is one of the safest and the people are amazing. Never before, have I ever been taking care of so well, as I have during my stay here in the Philippines. The Filipinos are extremely welcoming to visitors and really go out of their way to share their culture with their guests.
Tacloban City is a friendly, and safe city, so volunteers are able to learn about the conditions in a third world country. Despite the many hardships the Filipinos have experienced throughout their lives and history, they are still very happy, and optimistic about the future of their country.
Q: How can someone get in contact with Volunteer for the Visayans and learn more about your volunteer abroad opportunities?
A: Volunteers can visit our website at www.visayans.org to read more information regarding our programs. They can also contact us at info@visayans.org to inquire about specifics.
