Project Summary

Make a change to your own life and improve nutritional standards in the Philippines.  You will work with the vulnerable living in some of the devastated communities following Typhoon Haiyan.  Many Filipino children aged 3 – 6 years are at risk from poor nutrition as their parents are struggling to find an income following the destruction caused by the typhoon on 8th November 2013.

Young children who have poor nutritional standards suffer from stunted growth and development, low academic performance, and wasting due to poor nutrition. Malnutrition also increases the susceptibility to disease, and even before Typhoon Haiyan so many Filipinos suffer from blindness due to vitamin A deficiency.

This project was created to oversee the food intake of numerous families in local barangays (communities) and monitor the malnourished children throughout a targeted area of Tacloban City. The project changed its emphasis in response to the crisis and is focusing on preventative steps to malnutrition through preparing supplementary feeding to small children, recording and analysing data and educating parents through community workshops. Come and join the essential work that the local team are undertaking to help avoid malnutrition and improve nutritional standards in Tacloban City.

Why choose this project?

The project will benefit from your participation as you assist with basic nutritional services and education. You can help with ongoing efforts to improve and maintain nutrition levels as well as community education to protect the future of the children of this devastated Leyte community.  You will learn about the challenges facing poorer communities especially those who have been through a tragedy. This may help those who are studying or considering a career in nutrition or international development.

Role of the volunteer

You will spend your morning as a nutrition volunteer preparing healthy, balanced and nutritious meals for the children of the barangay. You will work with the local team preparing food for meal times (usually breakfast and lunch) to ensure the children are getting enough minerals and vitamins into their diet.  In a number of locations in the community you will help prepare and distribute food .  Please note that your placement will be dependent on the needs of the project at the time of your volunteering.

Volunteers will help monitor the nutrition status of children in the community by weighing and recording information linked to child development. You may be involved in preparing and delivering basic nutritional education classes for local community members. You will be asked to help where it is most needed and are therefore expected to be flexible while on your placement.

Skills Required

Experience and study within the nutrition field or public health is preferred. If you have graduated or worked in Public Health nutrition you are encouraged to apply.  Before arriving, you should familiarise yourself with the typical native foods, nutritional deficiencies, general economics, and cultural beliefs of the Philippines.  You need to be resilient, patient, flexible and self-motivated as this is a demanding placement. An interview will be required and you will be asked to send your CV/resume before being accepted onto this project.

REQUEST MORE INFO   RESERVE YOUR PLACE