Description

By volunteering with youths in conflict with the law, you can help coach and mentor young male adolescents whom are desperate to alter the course of their lives. As a volunteer, you not only put yourself into the position of a role-model, but also have the opportunity to empower the boys by sharing your talents, skills and interests.

The boys reaction to receiving an international volunteer is always extremely positive, project staff often comment that volunteers offer that little extra nurture and guidance which helps contribute to the quicker rehabilitation of the boys.

The economy of the Philippines has been depressed for a long period, and the recent global economic recession has contributed to a worsening economic situation for poor families. More children have dropped out of school to augment the family income. But there arent many jobs available, and young children who by law arent supposed to be working, dont earn much. Poverty, especially when it spans generations, leads to a breakdown of family cohesion. So its not surprising that the number of youth law violators and the severity of their offenses have been on the rise.

The volunteer will work with youth, ages 13 to 19, who are confined in the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth due to law violations, which include theft, drug dealing, and acts of violence. Due to their status as minors, they have been placed in this rehabilitation center rather than in a correctional facility.

Despite the severity of some of the boys crimes, the center is not a jail. We stress to our volunteers that the boys inside the center are merely trying to make right their wrongs, hoping to change their lives after making mistakes. None of the boys are considered as being violent or dangerous, most are extremely courteous, polite and approachable.

Highlights

Additional optional activities:-

- Conduct After-School Tutorials with Children on the Volunteer for the Visayans Child Sponsorship Program between 5pm and 7pm.

- Participate with a wide variety of local community based projects such as adolescent youth groups and local mothers groups outside of your regular working hours.

- Assist VFV with outreach projects such as building houses through their build-a-home project, assist with emergency relief and school supply distribution projects on weekends and after regular program hours.

Discover the Community

All volunteers are accommodated within a small close knit Filipino community. All home stays are within 1 minute from each and within 1 minute from VFV's office and community centre - this offers great cultural immersion as well as a great way for volunteers to socialise outside of project hours.

Qualifications

- Volunteers must be independent and open-minded.
- Volunteers must be willing to experience a different culture.

Minimum Education

High School

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

$799 for 2 weeks. $80 for each additional week.

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Culture
• Legal Aide
• Social Services, Social Work
• Youth

Typical Volunteer

Volunteers will be working with City Social Welfare and Development office and help them with their community projects. They may also help with basic office projects.

Age Range

18 years old and above

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Year Founded

2004