Work in an Orphanage in the Philippines

What is the Work in an Orphanage in the Philippines all about?

Come and volunteer in Tacloban City in the Philippines and work in an orphanage supporting the vulnerable that have been further affected by the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. In this developing country, thousands of impoverished children grow up in orphanages, as their parents simply cannot afford to care for them. In effect they are children’s homes rather than orphanages although this is the term used locally. Most of the orphanages are understaffed but try hard to provide the basic needs of shelter, food, education, healthcare and clothing for all the children in their care, including keeping in contact with family members when it is appropriate for them to do so.

Some of the children are emotionally or developmentally delayed because of little adult interaction. Often, the only source of their basic emotional security is from volunteers who provide affection, spend time with the children and improve their social, physical and emotional development. The children were evacuated by the typhoon and a couple of their shelters were destroyed and so rebuilding work is taking place. The project staff and children need your support are mainly privately funded and they are seeking international volunteer help, as local people are so busy trying to rebuild their own lives, to continue to provide ongoing care.

Why choose this Work in an Orphanage project?

There are simply not enough staff to meet all the children’s needs beyond basic food, shelter, and sanitary living conditions. The staff are often too stretched to spend time interacting with the children. Whilst they are fed and cleaned, babies can be left alone in a crib without much attention or interaction, missing the attention they require to learn to walk, talk, develop motor and social skills, and learn to read and count. Your time spent in one of these orphanages will be invaluable to the lives of each of these children especially when additional local help has been stretched because of the challenges facing local families following the typhoon.

Role of the Community Volunteer in the Philippines

Young children need constant interaction for their physical and social development, and your time spent playing and communicating with them aids that process when no one else is available. As volunteers you can help them by providing the children with homework and English (one of their national languages) assistance. You should be flexible and willing to provide arts and crafts activities, carry out social education, sports and games depending on the needs of the project and your strengths.

What skills do I need to be a Community Volunteer Working in an Orphanage in the Philippines?

Volunteers need real vigour and enthusiasm to bring life and fresh experiences to the children. Feeding, bathing and changing diapers will be required, as is simply spending time, having fun and being patient with the younger children. The older children will need you to be patient and understanding when they are tackling their homework.

No specific skills are required but any experience of working with children in any capacity is always an advantage. Volunteers should note that there are strict rules about photographing children. These are in place to protect the children and we ask that all volunteers adhere to this policy. All volunteers will be required to have a telephone interview and you will be asked to send your CV/ resume before being accepted onto this project. This project is subject to government rules and therefore a blood test, urine analysis and chest x-ray are mandatory.

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