What is the nutrition project in the Philippines all about?
Make a change in your life and improve nutritional standards in the Philippines. You will work with vulnerable families living in communities affected by the long-standing issue of malnutrition. Many Filipino children aged 3–6 years suffer from chronic malnutrition, leading to stunted growth, developmental delays, and increased susceptibility to diseases.
Nutrition is often overlooked in Filipino communities, resulting in high rates of chronic heart disease, diabetes, vitamin A deficiency, and malnourishment. This project aims to educate families about the importance of a healthy diet, emphasizing the need to reduce sugar and salt intake while increasing vegetable consumption.
You will work with VFV’s Community Feeding Project, planning and providing supplementary feeding for preschool children while collaborating with local mothers to promote nutritional education and investigate long-term solutions for hunger and food security. Join the local team in Tacloban City to help combat malnutrition and improve nutritional standards.
Why choose this Improve Nutritional Standards 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 Public Health & Nutrition 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.
What skills do I need to be a Public Health & Nutrition Volunteer in the Philippines?
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.
WHY JOIN THE PROJECT
FEATURED VIDEO
PROJECT TESTIMONIALS
Where will I work in the Philippines?
About the Location
Tacloban is located on the island of Leyte, about an hour by air southeast of Manila. It is a historic World War II site, the beachfront city where the American General Douglas MacArthur liberated the Philippines in 1944 from Japan. It has a population of over 300,000 and the local dialect is called Waray-Waray, though English is widely spoken. Shops and restaurants have been rebuilt and you can go to the beach at weekends. If you have the time. take an additional week after your placement to visit some of the other island and put more income back into the economy.
Accommodation
For the duration of your project, you will be staying in on the border of Tacloban City in The Philippines in a homestay environment. The local community are used to receiving volunteers regularly and they really make an effort to welcome you into their lives and homes. All homestay houses have basic facilities, including electricity, toilets and running water. All volunteers in the area are only a 2-minute walk away from each other, so you will be able to easily meet up with friends and spend time exploring the area outside the project working hours. For example, you could head down to the local community centre, which doubles up as a home base for volunteers, and spend time getting to know the community members or taking part in a number of actives.
What to do in your spare time
Volunteering on one of our projects doesn’t mean you won’t be able to explore The Philippines in your spare time. During the weekends you will have ample opportunity to venture further afield. We would suggest you take the chance to visit the fantastic islands of Bohol and Malapascua over the weekends with other volunteers. A trip like this is a great opportunity for you to bond with fellow travellers and make some new friends in the process.
However, perhaps if you don’t fancy going too far from your homestay, then you could take a trip down to Tadjow Beach or Tanauan Beach. The Philippines is famous for possessing some of the most jaw dropping and spectacular white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters, so why not check them out for yourself?
Another suggestion is that you could get involved in some sports and activities in the local area. For instance, you could join the local gym in the astrodome – which also provide hot showers! – to keep yourself in shape whilst you’re away. If you fancy a bit of friendly competition then you could head downtown to the badminton courts and climbing walls with fellow volunteers. If you’re a surfer then you most definitely should visit the town of Guiuan. Here, you can sample some of The Philippines best surfing destinations! Alternatively, you can stay in your local community and take part in a few friendly basketball games.
Details & Costs
- Duration: 2 – 26 weeks
- Cost: £1081 / $1688 for 2 weeks
£144 / $224 for each week thereafter - Requirements: age 18+
- Location: Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines
- Project activities: Community nutrition surveys, supplementary food preparation and distribution and nutrition education.
- Working hours: At least 4 hours per day, Monday – Friday. If you wish to work extra, please ask an advisor about other options available to maximise your time.
- Project Availability: All year round, apart from the Christmas to New Year period and for a few days over Easter.
- Arrival day: Saturday
What is included
- Accommodation: Single or shared room in a homestay with mosquito net & clean drinking water
- Food: 2 meals per day – Breakfast and dinner
- Airport pickup and drop off from Tacloban Airport
- Training: Pre-departure pack, on-site orientation, project induction provided and Learning Reflection Manual
- Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinators
- Excursions: Staff may be able to help plan weekend excursions (activities may cost extra)
- Fundraising guide
What is not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Visas
- Police/Government Background Check; US and UK citizens will be processed through Kaya (admin fee applies) all other nationalities must provide local police check.
- Any costs for COVID-19 PCR tests required pre-departure and in-country
Pictures from our Improve Nutritional Standards in The Philippines project
Easy 4-step application process
APPLY ONLINE
Apply for a Kaya program and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.
TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.
CONFIRMATION
Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.
GET PREPARED
When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.
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