Home > Volunteer in the Asia-Pacific > Volunteer in Philippines > Work-with-Sexually-and-Physically-Abused-Girls-in-the-Philippines

Work with Sexually and Physically Abused Girls in the Philippines

Volunteer abroad Philippines sexual abuse help girls

Location Philippines
Start Date Every Saturday
Duration
Book now for

The Project

Volunteer and help provide better lives to sexually abused children in the Philippines. Sexual abuse, crime and abandonment can often lead to many young girls in the Philippines living without their families. As a result Homes For Girls were created to shelter and care for girls coming from a multitude of different backgrounds and situations.

The Home For Girls acts as a shelter for female youths, providing them with accommodation, meals and support whilst social workers tackle each case to find the best course of action to facilitate their futures. At this centre the girls live in a communal environment and perform various activities such as non-formal education, livelihood programs and recreational activities.
Why the project needs you

The centre is generally underfunded and social workers and house parents do not always have the time to offer enough individual support to all of the girls. Volunteers assist the staff by presenting themselves as friendly role models offering numerous methods of empowering the lives of the girls by teaching them new skills, playing games and acting as mentors.

At the same time, social workers working on the cases could benefit from international points of view and assessments of volunteers on the development of girls on their respective programs. Some of these girls are victims of terrible crimes such as rape and assault, or were abandoned by their parents and grew up in and orphanage, as a result volunteers will need to offer emotional support.

Project Location

The exact geographical location of the project is located on the island of Leyte in the Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) administrative region of the Philippines. This is approximately about an hour southeast of Manila.

The rehabilitation centre is located in the rural town of Tanauan, just a short ride outside of Tacloban City. Project headquarters is located within Tacloban City, the capital of Leyte; this has modern city amenities. Volunteers are housed in a home-stay in a small barangay (district) with a local host family that have numerous years of experience in accommodating international volunteers. In this small barangay atmosphere you will be surrounded by friendly locals and fully immersed into the community; here you will be able to witness the true nature of what it is like to live and volunteer in the Philippines. Due to the unique nature of projects in the Philippines, volunteers will also come into daily contact with a group of approximately one hundred and fifty sponsored children; as a result this opens up numerous non compulsory volunteer opportunities, such as assisting in child feeding, after school tutorials and general bonding with the children.

Outside of the local community there is still plenty to take in. The Eastern Visayas has strong history, from Spanish colonization to Japanese occupation during World War II – it's all here. Just outside of Tacloban, is the MacArthur Memorial Site, the location at which the Philippines was liberated by the American General Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines.

Other than history, there is also the natural beauty of the region to take in; with sun drenched beaches, rolling hillsides, lakes and waterfalls to visit during your free time.

People in this region of the Philippines speak the local dialect 'Waray-Waray' but also speak the national languages of Tagalog and English. Tacloban City and the entire region of the Eastern Visayas is not a common tourist destination; offering volunteers a real chance to immerse in the one-of-a-kind 'Pinoy' culture.
Project Facts

• Duration: 4 - 26 weeks
• Cost: £989 ($1731) for 4 weeks, £125 ($219) for each week thereafter
• Requirements: Female volunteers, Age 18+
• Location: Tacloban City & Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines
• Project activities: Offer emotional support for abused and abandoned female youths, teach, create livelihood projects, assist house parents and social workers.
• Working hours: 08:00 - 13:00, Monday - Friday
• Project Availability: Project starts every Saturday.
What is included

• Accommodation: Single or shared room in a home-stay
• Food: 2 meals per day - Breakfast and Dinner
• Airport pick up and drop off
• Training: Pre-departure pack, On-site Orientation and project induction provided
• Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinators, access to office in Tacloban City (including free WiFi)
• Excursions: 2 field excursions are included in your visit. Including a detailed tour of our ongoing projects in the local area. Staff can also help plan weekend excursions.
What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas

Role of the volunteer

Volunteers will pass on their specialist skills to the girls, teaching them a wide variety of topics to help enrich their lives and offer them the close human contact that social workers and house parents can not always offer. They will also offer recreational activities to entertain and stimulate the girls. Throughout their duration at the centre, the volunteer will act as a mentor and through their actions and activities encourage the girls to practice good morals. Volunteers may also have to act as an emotional confidant, offering advice and support to girls on their situations.

The role of the volunteer will have a long lasting impact on the girls. Previous livelihood programs and skills taught in the past by volunteers still continue to be practiced today. Volunteers may also assist livelihood projects such as baking and craft making and may also bring their own energy to help think up new programs.
Skills Required

This project is only open to females as the centre is a female-only environment. No formal qualifications are needed however volunteers with former experience in the criminal justice system, social work or working with youth groups can be advantageous. Volunteers must be well motivated and able to show initiative; as much of the time they will be working independently. Many of the girls at the centre have suffered horrific abuse and are still traumatised by this. Because of this, some of the girls exhibit behaviours such as self-harming or have eating disorders etc. Whilst this is an extremely rewarding placement volunteers must be prepared to be faced with these kind of issues.

Volunteer Testimonial

"The highlight of my trip was working with the girls at the centre. We shared so much together in two weeks and I truly believe I was able to impart some knowledge (about self esteem women and child rights, trauma and recovery from abuse) to these girls. They treated me with such love and respect and I learnt so much from them. I have lots of art, letters and drawings from them." - Alana Roy, Australia

If you would like to read more of Alana Roy's Case Study click here.

Project Quality

Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time possible, and be part of something that is going to last for future generations.

Accommodation & Meals

In most cases volunteers are placed in local homestays where they either have their own room or share with another volunteer. Usually two meals a day are provided by the homestay family, all included in the placement fees. This way a portion of your volunteer fee goes back into the local economy, and you gain first-hand experience of true local family life.

In-Country Coordinators

Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.

24/7 Emergency Support

As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.

Kaya Help-desk

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.

Briefing Pack & Materials

Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.

Airport Pickup

When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.

Cultural Excursions

Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.

Arrival Orientation

Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.

Language Classes

At the beginning of your stay the in-country team will provide basic language classes to help you during your time on your placement - and to practice at the dinner table with your host family.

Funding for Individual Projects

If on your placement you wish to start up your own sub-project, a reasonable amount of funding will be provided. An example is: one volunteer arranged a basketball tournament for the street children where funding was provided for team shirts and trophies. This is a good chance to make your own lasting mark on a project and the people of your chosen country.

Local Community Benefits

Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.

Related Projects

July 2-week Summer Camp for Children of Rural Ghana
Akwaaba! Come join us this summer for a on...

£ 599 ($1048) for 2 weeks
Cultural Immersion and Volunteer Combo in Goa
Attracting a young crowd, this cultural vo...

£ 1355 ($2371) for 4 weeks
Rural Teaching and Community Work in Tanzania
Volunteer in Tanzania on a project based o...

£ 995 ($1741) for 2 weeks
Sports Coaching and Community Work in Cape Town
Our sports project will enable you to volu...

£ 975 ($1706) for 2 weeks
Teaching Support for a Community College in Belize
Volunteer abroad in English-speaking Beliz...

£ 1265 ($2213) for 4 weeks