Volunteer Programs in Manila, Philippines

The Philippines’ economy has begun to grow in recent years due in part to a large expat community infusing the economy with earnings from abroad, the growth of outsourcing, particularly call centers, and from a developing infrastructure that has been faring better as political corruption is decreasing. However, this new economic tiger in Asia still has one of the largest populations in the world living below the poverty line. Millions of families live at the mercy of urbanization, continuing to expand the social welfare needs of the nation’s capital city, Manila. These complicated social issues and unique political arena create a multitude of opportunities for volunteering in Manila.

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3 Volunteer Programs in Manila, Philippines

Child Family Health International

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Global Health in the Philippines

Learn about the organization of the Philippines' mostly devolved health system and the different issues in providing appropriate healthcare in the context of its unique geography while witnessing its cultural diversity and natural beauty. Many remote, hard-to-reach islands, otherwise known as geographically isolated disadvantaged areas (GIDA), hospitals, and healthcare clinics strive to deliver quality health services despite the often inadequate infrastructure, investment, supplies, and personnel. Experience first-hand the daily healthcare challenges faced by “barangays” or villages, on remote islands in the provinces of Quezon, Lubang, and Romblon. Visit premiere urban public and private health facilities in the capital city of Manila before the remote island immersion for a better appreciation of the dichotomies between public versus private and rural versus urban healthcare systems. Meet local health professionals at the Department of Health and the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office Headquarters and enjoy cultural lectures and excursions led by CFHI's on-site partners.

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Globe Aware

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Diverse Philippines with Globe Aware

The Philippines is composed of more than 7000 islands encompassing diverse terrains and landscapes – from rice fields to megacities and from beaches to volcanoes. The country boasts awe-inspiring beauty and a plethora of natural resources, but also startling poverty. Our program site is in the province of Nueva Ecija, about 100 miles from Manila. The people of this community are neglected and marginalized in terms of social development. As a result, they live in poverty. Women, children, and the disabled bear the effect of massive poverty, and it is to this particularly needy population that we direct our efforts. At Globe Aware, we offer work projects geared toward: Education assistance for children with disabilities Repair/construction of houses for families of the disabled Reforestation Repair or construction of basic housing and sanitation buildings

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A Guide to Volunteering Abroad in Manila

Projects & Placements

Homeless families and squatters in Manila generally struggle to meet the daily needs of their families on minimal, unstable incomes. This disadvantaged social and economic situation of the lower classes in the nation’s mega-city has created an enormous need for international volunteer programs in Manila.

Community Development & Education. While public education is free, often additional expenses, like uniforms and project fees, are enough to keep many children from attending school. By volunteering to teach in local schools, international volunteers will provide the school with a free teacher as well as the student’s with access to a plethora of information and knowledge previously unattainable. The familial obligation to contribute to the household income, also leads to additional pressure to neglect to pursue a proper education. By contributing to community programs, such as street children projects or micro-lending programs, that help develop the economy of the city, volunteers will indirectly be encouraging students to attend school while minimizing their family’s need for an additional source of income.

Health Care & Education. Lack of access to health care as well as an overall lack of nutritional education has created a need for every Barangay (Neighborhood) to have their own health clinic. Until recently birth control was not widely available and even today in many communities it is not available. Combined with prevailing traditional Catholic beliefs, many families, particularly low-income families are increasingly large. These health centers serve as great places to launch health education programs, distribute resources, and provide healthcare for international volunteer programs.

Environment. Social ills are much more obvious and perhaps easier to address than environmental issues, but environmental placements in Manila nonetheless do exist. Flooding, typhoons and mudslides all contribute to a compounded disadvantage for farmers and those that live off the natural resources of the country. Through sustainable farming and tree planting projects volunteers will be able to help counter this disadvantage for families living on the outskirts of the nation’s capital.

Latest Program Reviews

My Global Health Experience in the Philippines

March 12, 2026by: Anu H - United States

Program: Global Health in the Philippines

I participated in a two-week Global Health program in the Philippines through the Child Family Health International and found both the on-the-ground experience and the administrative support to be exceptional. The program was thoughtfully structured and provided a meaningful introduction to the culture, history, and healthcare system of the Philippines. Through a mix of educational sessions and site visits, we gained insight into how historical, cultural, and social factors shape health beliefs and medical practice across different healthcare settings. A particularly impactful part of the experience was spending time in a rural community where we observed local health clinics and community health initiatives. The healthcare professionals were incredibly welcoming and eager to share their experiences, helping us understand how care is delivered in resource-limited settings and how strong relationships with the community support better health outcomes. From an administrative perspective, the program staff were consistently responsive and supportive both before and during the program, ensuring everything ran smoothly for participants. Overall, learning about the Philippine healthcare system from its historical foundations to its real-world practice was a rewarding and eye-opening experience. I would highly recommend this program to medical students interested in global health and in learning how healthcare is practiced in different parts of the world.

Would Highly Recommend This Program!!

August 10, 2025by: Samantha Cayton - United States

Program: Global Health in the Philippines

I am extremely grateful for my experience in the CFHI Global Health in the Philippines program. From the people, the culture, and the history, I am undoubtedly impacted by the things I’ve learned and seen from my time in the program. We started with our first week in Manila where we got to learn about the different parts of the Philippine health system as well as how it fit into the context of Philippines history. The local coordinators, Dr.Katrina and Dr.Lopao were incredibly passionate about the information and history they were sharing with us which made our discussions super engaging and insightful! Not only that but I appreciated how they constantly checked in on us and made sure that we were okay throughout our time in Manila. The local team on the island were also incredibly welcoming. Our group rotated around the different Barangay Health Clinics and had the opportunity to learn about their unique health system on the island. In our free time we were able to explore the island, try different foods, and talk with the locals and BHW’s (Barangay Health Workers). In our 3 weeks here, something that I’ll never forget is the empathy and compassion of the entire health team. From each health clinic we visited and the conversations we had with the staff, it was clear to see how dedicated everyone was in providing the best care even with the obstacles that might come from being on an island. Furthermore, the context and insight provided by our local preceptor is something I know will continue to impact and shape how I think about medicine in the future and in my studies. Something I also really appreciated about CFHI as a whole, was their emphasis on ethical engagement. From their thorough onboarding and the support from the US team, Local team, and alumni, I felt assured that I wasn’t expected to do anything beyond observation. Especially as a second year undergrad, I felt that there wasn’t really anything medical that I would have been qualified to do. Something that really resonated with me was their rule of thumb “If you wouldn’t be allowed to do it here, don’t do it there”. This aspect is something that I feel is extremely unique to CFHI and what made me look into this program in the first place! Overall, my CFHI Global Health Program in the Philippines was extremely informative and worthwhile! I fully recommend it to anyone who is going into medicine or global health or is even just curious about it to apply for a program. Wherever you are in your journey, you are sure to gain valuable information and insight that will continue to impact you long after your program.