Philippines

Current Situation

map taken from about.com

The Philippines is a nation struggling with the basic problems of poverty, malnutrition and deprivation of basic human needs. Estimates show that 80% of the people live below the poverty line. Agriculture is the major form of employment(especially in the provinces), and families often survive on a day-to-day basis for food and other essential items. As with most developing countries, people migrate en masse to the nearest city, in order to escape the mass unemployment in the province. As a result, one sixth of the total population (around 10-13 million people) now live in the very polluted and overcrowded Metro Manila. Most of those who migrate here end up living in massive shantytowns and squatter settlements that are found throughout this sprawling urban monster. Many people have left to work overseas and this has huge implications for family life.

Volunteer Requirements

Volunteers wishing to work in the Philippines must hold a bachelors degree (in any discipline) and must be prepared to live with other volunteers in community houses.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are a number of youth and community based projects available in the Philippines.

Our main partner in the Philippines is the AMA (Associate Missionaries of the Assumption) Volunteer Program which recruits Filipino and foreign young people who are willing to offer a year or two of service in teaching or apostolic ministries throughout the country. The volunteers form communities of young people committed to freedom, love and growth of each member and service of the poor and the young.

The projects vary from year to year. Recent British volunteers have worked in primary and secondary schools, an early childhood development centre, an organisation that works with street children, a children's home, a Social Concerns office, an orphanage and a health centre.