Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in the Philippines
- Poverty is widespread, with 21.6% of the population in the Philippines living below the poverty line
- Malnutrition is evident, with 1 in 3 children under five having stunted growth, due to lack of a nutritional diet
- The Philippines is prone to natural disasters, which can affect farming and agriculture, one of the main sources of food for many families
- Many poor families have little education and limited access to health services
HOW can you help?
- Volunteer along side local tradesman to assist in the construction of houses & schools
- Join ongoing and existing projects at homes, schools and other community buildings
- Work alongside skilled local workers
- Get stuck in and 'hands dirty' on this active project
WHAT you can do?
- Help to renovate and re-build homes and community centres
- Work as a team with fellow volunteers and local workers
- Get involved in laying bricks, doing carpentry, painting, laying tiles, and landscaping/gardening
- Assist in decorating and updating local school classrooms, making a nicer environment for the school kids
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: COMMUNITY CONSTRUCTION
LOCATION: ABORLAN, PALAWAN
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE
MIN DURATION: 1 WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: N/A
Overview
On Novermber 08, 2013 one of the strongest storms ever recorded made landfall on the island of Leyte, Philippines bringing with it devastating storm surges and deadly 300 kilometer per hour winds. The aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as ‘Yolanda’) was a total catastrophe as many coastline communities were completely wiped out and much of the city’s internal infrastructure completely destroyed. The official deal toll stands at approximately 6,000 however many local sources suggest the actual number of Yolanda victims has surpassed 10,000.
Since Typhoon Yolanda the need for strong sustainable living conditions has never been so dire. All across Leyte and Samar, thousands of families are still reeling from the aftermath of the disaster. Homes previously located within 50 meters of the shoreline in many cases are no longer available for rebuilding.
Through this project, you’ll directly help the local people assisting in creating better living conditions for families and school children. Depending on the needs at the time you’ll either be assisting in either home rebuilding or renovations of schools. This may involve simple renovations, eg. painting and landscaping, to complete rebuilds or major renovations to classrooms. Construction experience is not required, anybody can join and give a helping hand to the local people of Palawan!
Location
Aborlan, situated in the stunning island of Palawan in the Philippines, known for its lush landscapes and rich biodiversity. Aborlan offers a serene escape for those seeking respite from the bustle of urban life. With its stunning beaches, lush forests, and incredible wildlife, the town invites adventurers and nature enthusiasts to explore its hidden gems. The projects are located approx 45 min outside the main city of Puerto Princesa where you will be warmly welcomed into the community.
Project Tasks
- Help local workers on various community and home construction projects
- Get stuck in, laying bricks, tiles, carpentry, landsacping, etc
- Renovate local schools by painting, clearing up, painting murals, etc
Food & Accommodation
The volunteer centre provides rooms shared with 4-8 people per room, with the houses complete with either a fan or air con, T.V, kitchen, wifi (this can be limited sometimes), mosquito protection, bed linen and lockable rooms. Limited laundry facilities, so expect to wash your clothes by hand, unless you’d like to use the laundry service for a small fee.
*Private rooms may be available for a small upgrade, please ask us in advance.
3 meals per day are provided each day (2 on weekends), with mainly local Philippino foods being served, including lots of vegetables, rice, fish, meat and eggs. Meals are served on site at the accommodation.
Standard
Projects (Palawan)
- Kindergarten Teaching, Aborlan
- Primary School Teaching, Aborlan
- Mangrove Conservation, Aborlan
- *Community Construction, Aborlan
- Kindergarten Teaching, El Nido
- Primary School Teaching, El Nido
- *Community Construction, El Nido
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1 Week - $370
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2 Weeks - $435
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3 Weeks - $585
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1 Month - $725
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2 Months - $1795
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3 Months - $2650
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card fees included in below pricing 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
No construction skills are necessary for this placement, however tradesmen of all types (eg. carpenters, plumbers, electricians, builders) are extremely needed. If you are an active and energetic person, who loves to get invovled with a team and to get your hands dirty, then this could be the project for you.
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
Your first day will consist of comprehensive overview of the program including what to expect, health and safety, introduction to Filipino culture and introduction to staff and fellow volunteers. A guided city tour is also included for Tacloban placements.
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). You must arrive between 10:00 – 17:00 on Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer for US$50.
If arriving during the week, or on Saturday, we charge US$50 for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another US$50 fee for a private transfer.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
From the airport the accommodation, it takes 1.5 hours by road.
Work hours are generally from 9am to 4pm with a couple of hours free for lunch.
Monday to Friday
- Breakfast
- Assist the local village community with construction and renovation efforts
- Lunch
- Assist the local village community with construction and renovation efforts
- Dinner
Beaches of Boracay
This small island is known for its outstanding natural beauty, and pristine white sand beaches. White beach stretches for 4km and is a popular place to visit. There are plenty of cafes and nightlife, including fire throwers and live music at the bars.
Bohol Chocolate Hills
Take a visit to Bohol island, around an hour from Cebu, and check out the 1200 hills of all shapes and sizes. This stunning natural formation is quite a sight. You can hike or take an ATV ride up the hills.
Diving
The Philippines have many amazing dive spots, and some of the most pristine water in the world! With plenty of fish, coral reef and even whale sharks, this is a divers heaven. You can even learn to dive here.
Twin Lagoon on Coron Island
You may have seen images of this spectacular beauty spot online- and it doesn’t disappoint! As well as some incredible diving, you can also explore some stunning viewpoints, secluded beaches, or go on a boat tour around these turquoise blue waters.
Ziplining
For those who love adventurous activities, why not try ziplining?! Check out the stunning one on El Nido, with beautiful views over the beach. It’s 750 metres and will give you that adrenaline kick for sure.
Kayaking
There are plenty of gorgeous places to kayak in the Philippines, and it’s secret lagoons are some of the best spots. Paddle your way through the stunning rock formations and crystal-clear waters.
Vigan Town
This very pretty town has a Hispanic heritage that is evident as you walk through the artsy cobbled streets. Vigan town is on the island of Luzon and is a great weekend trip, with museums, cafes, workshops and quirky sights. For photographers, you can get some pretty shots at dawn, when the town is empty.
Underground River, Palawan
Puerto Princesa is a beautiful river that goes underground, through impressive limestone caves. Book a boat tour to take you through the caves.
Manila
The capital city, Manila is a hustling and bustling place, with plenty of culture. Be sure to check out the museums, art galleries, old buildings, cafes and bars.
No construction skills are necessary for this placement, however tradesmen of all types (eg. carpenters, plumbers, electricians, builders) are extremely needed.
The Philippines consists of more than 7000 islands and is a land apart from the mainland of Southeast Asia. The people are, simply, Filipinos – and proud of it. Welcoming, warm and relentlessly upbeat, it is they who captivate and ultimately ensnare visitors.
Islands are jungle-clad, mountainous and flanked by aquamarine waters and a world renowned coral reef. But you’ll find plenty of variations on this theme, from marooned slicks of sand in the middle of the ocean to sprawling, overpopulated mega-islands like Luzon and Mindanao.
About half of the Philippines’ 88 million people live in rural areas. Poverty is most severe and most widespread in these areas and almost 80 per cent of the country’s poor people live there. Agriculture is the primary and often only source of income for poor rural people.
Overall, more than a third of the people in the Philippines live in poverty. There are substantial differences in the level of poverty between the regions and provinces and the poverty gap between urban and rural areas is widening.
November to April is the most popular time to visit the Philippines, as this is when there is the least rainfall.
June to October is wet season and November to May is usally dry. Shoulder months can be a great time to travel as you can still get some good weather but there are less crowds. The island weather can vary, so it’s worth checking the weather for which islands you will be visiting at which time of year.
The Philppines has a big Latin and Spanish influence, due to the previous Spanish rule. Evidence of this can be seen throughout the Philippines. The Filipino people are very welcoming, like to have close family bonds, and getting together with friends and family to eat, sing and dance. They are also very religious and most go to church at least every Sunday.
Filipino people have a great respect for thier elders, saying the phrases ‘po’ and ‘opo’, when speaking with thier elders. They love a good party and festival, particually Christmas which they can celebrate right into the second week of January!
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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