Volunteer in the Philippines - Volunteer For The Visayans In The Philippines - Testimonials

Volunteer Testimonials

Frida Sandring

“A month isn’t enough for this kind of work. But I actually managed to combine my backpacking with some volunteer work, and that’s something every backpacker should start doing to get a deeper impression of the culture and the people in the country they go to. The Filipinos are the happiest and most open-minded people I have ever met. They treasure life for what it truly is.

My biggest challenge was all the people telling me how dangerous the country I was about to enter as a single 20-year old girlie backpacker. I was so tired of people warning me about something or somewhere they have never been to, or experienced. Go there yourselves! As long as you listen to your heart and uses your common sense as a foreigner the worst thing that could possibly happen is that you loose your first jeepney back from the city and have to wait for maybe 2 minutes more for the next one. “

Andrew Lawrence

“.. So far, it has been a wonderful opportunity to help people and a bit overwhelming at times. Since I am only staying for two weeks, my experience has been a very intense but positive one. It was made infinitely easier by the warmth and kindness of my host family and the Filipinos in general. The Filipino culture is a lovely one centered on the family and affection. This closeness was evident especially with my host family. The father and I bonded and fished together. The mother nurtured me and made me feel like I was the best thing that happened in their family since the birth of their children. And their two adorable daughters kept me busy with endless games of hide and go seek. I am eternally grateful to them for their hospitality.

For all volunteers deciding on countries to visit, the Philippines is an amazing choice if you want your impact to be felt and appreciated immediately. You will not find a more grateful people than the Filipinos. “

Beda Andersson

“A great experience that I don’t regret for a second. This is the best way to get to know a new culture – to work and live with a Filipino family. Filipinos are the friendliest people I’ve met and they do anything to help you feel comfortable.

I advise other volunteers that come here to stay longer than one month. For me, it was too short. When you’re starting to make friends, feel at home and learn the language, you’ll suddenly realize it’s time for you to go home, if you’ll only stay for a month.

But if you have the opportunity, GO!"

Geoffrey Newson

“Having just recently graduated from university, it had always been one of my intentions to combine both travelling and teaching within the same itenary. As I was seeking only a relatively short placement within the Philippines I selected to work through Volunteer for the Visayans, due to the high level of flexibility and variation of programmes on offer. Furthermore the highly informative website and the efficient undertakings of organisation staff, ultimately resulted in an effective and user friendly format of application processing.

With regards to my actual placement , I was located in a large elementary school, roughly 30 minutes from Tacloban city. This entailed teaching English, IT, Maths and a variety of other subjects to classes of 40 children. The slightly daunting prospect of leading such large classes was mitigated by the guiding professionalism of members of staff and the co-operation of pupils, which made my working experience thoroughly enjoyable and self-satisfying. Indeed the fondest memory I will carry away with me is the accommodating and amicable nature of local inhabitants which was evidently apparent, despite the clear presence of poverty.

Conclusively, I would openly recommend both the organisation and my specific placement to individuals who may be interested in volunteering in the Philippines. "