Hosting NGO
YSDA ( Youth for Sustainable Development Assembly)
Contact person
Rior N. Santos, Executive Director
Project Place
Manila, Philippines
Remark for Period
Open to 1-2 months participation if the places are not full at 2 months before the starting date.
Background
Local/ social situation/ needs for the project
Certain social and economic factors sometimes drive parents to leave their children behind, or expose them to danger. Two local foundations has committed to take care of these children, and the workcamp is organized to assist them in their advocacy.
Name and description of the local host
- Concordia Children’s Services: Concordia Children’s Services, Inc. was founded in 1983. In 1989 Concordia expanded to serve the street and urban poor children in Pasig City. By 1996, they expanded again to serve the needs of street and urban poor children in the Santa Mesa area.
- Hospicio de San Jose: For 200 years, this charitable institution has accepted the poorest of the poor, and families in crisis, and has sheltered them, fed them, clothed them, educated them, cared for them when they were sick or wounded, and helped them go on in this world.
Aims and expected impact of the project
- Assist child agencies in daily operations
- Assist child agencies & appreciation of vols. On child development issues, sustainable development and cultural diversity
- Increase technical (social work) and English language proficiency
Main voluntary work
Volunteer activities follow a rotation scheme. The four volunteers are divided into two pairs. Each pair is assigned first to one of the partner orphanages for six weeks, and then change assignments with the other pair and be assigned in the other orphanage. The tentative work schedule is detailed below:
| Hospicio de San Jose | Concordia Children’s Services | |
| 1st Week | On-arrival Training | |
| 2nd – 3rd Week | Caring of Infants and Toddlers | Caring of Infants and Toddlers |
| 4th – 5th Week | Caring of Slum Children | Caring of Children with Special Needs |
| 6th Week | Midterm Evaluation Exchange of Work Areas | |
| 7th Week | Relaxation and Recreation | |
| 8th – 9th Week | Caring of Infants and Toddlers | Caring of Infants and Toddlers |
| 10th – 11th Week | Caring of Slum Children | Caring of Children with Special Needs |
| 12th Week | Final Evaluation | |
Approximate working hours: 6 hours x 5 days (weekdays) in a week. There is a short meeting every Friday to do reporting and raise concerns regarding volunteer experience.
Accommodation
Type of building: ?
- Sleeping: Sharing with other vols.
- Meals: Cooked by vols.
- How and how long to go to work: By public transportation (1 train ride, then 1 jeepney ride)
- Smoking: Only outside building
- Internet access: Yes but might be slow or unavailable when too many people are using it.
- Any other points: Abide in the house rules which will be discussed upon on-arrival training.
Location
Manila is the capital and second largest city of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities which, along with the municipality of Pateros, make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region, whose overall population is around 12 million.
The city of Manila is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay It has a total population of 1,652,171 according to the 2010 census and is the second most populous city in the Philippines, behindQuezon City. The populace inhabit an area of only 2,498 hectares (6,172.69 acres), making Manila arguably the most densely populated city in the world.
Terminal
Nearest international airport: Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Other activities
- Outdoors Excursion (volunteers may plan for various activities like trekking, beach outing, city tour, etc. on free days and at volunteers’ personal expense)
- Children themed short-term workcamps co-leadership (if there are any)
Qualification for volunteers
- Required: Passion for children and orphanage work
- Preferable: Basic English speaking skills
Attraction for volunteers
They are likely to improve the following skills: English communication skills/ Technical skills on orphanage work such as feeding infants and toddlers, slum children monitoring, etc.)/ Philippines is also blessed with wonderful natural attractions where volunteers can visit during free days and during the 7th week dedicated for relaxation and recreation
Financial condition
Participation fee to the host NGO: 45,000 PHP for 3 months (15,000 PHP per month).
Meetings
- On arrival training: For 1 week including culture orientation, orphanages visit and orientation, work area familiarization and public transportation dry run
- Special care during Project: Volunteer will work in diad. In cases that the 4 slots will not be filled-up, they’ll still be accommodated but might work alone with local staff of the orphanage.
- Evaluation meeting: Midterm & Final evaluation in YSDA Conference Area or another venue
Other remarks
- Open to Non-Asian if the places are not full at 2 months before the starting date.
- Volunteers are required to send medical certification and chest x-ray clearing the volunteer from any respiratory illness to ensure safety of kids that they will be taking care of
Member of