When I found out that a friend of mine was going to the Philippines to do a volunteer placement I was a little surprised. Not because of who was doing the placement, but because anyone was doing a placement. I know from personal experience that volunteering is one of the most rewarding things a person a can do, but I also know that it’s not for everyone.

 

A lot of the time you’re doing the placement somewhere you may never have been, and even if you are familiar with the place you’ve probably never done the kind of things you’ll be doing before. Add to that a potential language barrier and a clash of cultures and I can see why a lot of people would never think that volunteering was any way to spend your precious annual leave quota.

 

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Grace is the daughter of a British father and a Filipino mother, and has one sister, Stephanie. She’s lived in London almost her whole life, minus her university years. Our families have been friends for as long as I can remember. I know I’m going to sound older than my years when I write this, but I’ve seen her grow up and go off to university and come back a mature young lady with the world ahead of her.

 

Her mum’s family are originally from Mauban, but are now mostly based in Quezon City. She’s been to the Philippines several times, the last in 2004, but always with family. Like many of us who’ve been raised outside of the Philippines, the American influence on the Philippines we return to is undeniable. As to, is the great divide between the rich and the poor. Newer and bigger malls are built every year and on the way there you see homes built out of leftover pieces of wood and plastic sheeting. We know all too well that it is a country of extremes.

 

For four weeks Grace is volunteering with an organisation called WLS, in an outreach programme in and around Metro Manila, including Payatas. She’s working with squatter communities, schools, and orphanages. Her activities will involve teaching and interacting with the children. When I found out what it was she would be doing I wish I’d had a chance to talk to her properly, although I probably would’ve scared her more than helped her.

 

I wanted to know what it was that had persuaded Grace to go to the Philippines to volunteer so before she left I decided to sit down with her across cyberspace and ask her what lead her to her decision.

 

Why did you choose to volunteer?

It is something I have always wanted to do. It feels nice knowing that you can make a difference even though it’s a very small one. Also, it is a great way to see parts of the world that normally you would never go near. There is so much to do out in the world and I hope I will have a great experience out here and will be something I will look back on with pride when I am older. I am not sure what I plan to do with my life regarding relationships and a career so this gives me time to look at things differently and hopefully gain a little perspective.

 

Why the Philippines as opposed to any other country you could choose to volunteer in?

Originally I was planning on doing something in Africa, maybe Kenya, but then thought it would be better to start in the Philippines as I have been here before and know a little about the country and environment. Also, as my mum is from here it is a culture that I am half of yet know very little about and this was a great opportunity to live amongst the Filipino people and really sample their way of life. Having family based near Manila makes the transition easier and they look out for me and it is nice having a homely place where I can relax and spend time with my cousins.

 

How did your family and friend first react when you told them you were going to do this?

They were surprised but gave me lots of encouragement. (They) said it would be good for me to get out there. I have been talking about doing something like this for over a year now so they are happy that I am finally going rather than talking about (it) in the pub most nights.

 

How has the last week been?

Busy, I have now finished work so have been doing things like sorting out my visa, going to the doctors for all my shots. I have been busy shopping for clothes to wear out there as it will be over 30 degrees every day. (I) have also done a lot of present shopping with my mum as every time we go over we always bring present for the family but as we have a lot of family we need lots of presents! Packing has also been a problem as my mum wants (me) to bring everything and the kitchen sink!!! So my suitcase is now always overweight so (I) have been busy rearranging it all.

 

How do you think you’ll be different after having done this placement?

I hope I will have more patience with different types of people. In the Philippines things are generally relaxed unlike London. The people are also a lot friendlier so I hope I can take that back with me.

 

I can’t speak for Grace’s experience but I know that when I volunteered in Cambodia last year, nothing could have prepared me fully, and I was only there for a fraction of the time Grace is in the Philippines. Imagine being in a classroom trying to teach kids to read when you’ve never taught before. Throw in the added difficulty of your not speaking the language, and then further complicate it with the fact that you don’t know if the things you’re asking them to do are things they can do in their own language. With no teaching materials or any of the other simple amenities like a ready supply of paper and pens it can be daunting for anyone.

 

Grace didn’t go into this blindly. She knew that it would be hot and noisy but also exciting. In a country of extremes she is prepared to see some of the worst places she can imagine, but also the beauty of our country. Before she left she was more excited than nervous. There were of course things like missing roast dinners as well as spiders and cockroaches to contend with, no one’s favourite creatures, but she told me determinedly, ‘They are a part of life in the Philippines so I guess I will just have to get used to it!’ Unfortunately, safety is also something that travellers have had to consider more in recent years. She’s got a smart head on her shoulders though so I am sure she’ll be fine.

 

I had my own reasons for going to Cambodia, after years of thinking about it, like Grace, I finally got to the ‘It’s-now-or-never’ moment, and I chose now. I know that this will be an amazing experience for her, and I can only hope that her choice leads others to at least consider doing something similar.

 

The experience doesn’t come cheap, I still can’t quite get my head around the idea of having to pay to volunteer, but it is probably the best money I’ve ever spent. I didn’t regret a moment of my placement and if given the chance I would happily do another one as it was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

 

If anyone is interested in doing a placement then the following websites are a good place to start:

 

www.i-to-i.com

www.gapyearinasia.com/philippines

 

Once you make the decision, you won’t regret it. At the end of your placement you may not think you’ve changed the world, but your experience most certainly will have changed you. It only takes a grain of sand to move the world.

 

Posted on 10 April 2009 by Gemma in Featured, Profile, Travel

Tagged volunteering