Why do we have program fees?
The program fee paid by volunteers is used to cover accommodations with a host family and administrative expenses, as well as to partially fund the programs that we provide. Because the Philippines is a developing country, there are limited resources available either locally or nationally to fund social service programs. Without outside help, VFV simply would not be able to operate our current programs that help malnourished children, disfranchised youth, underfunded schools, and poverty-stricken families. VFV (and other volunteer organizations in developing countries) can only provide these critical services through the contributions of international volunteers and donors. VFV absolutely understands that international volunteers are making a major personal investment in time and money to volunteer with us, and our goal is reciprocate by making their volunteer experience a truly meaningful and enjoyable one.
As a non-profit NGO, Volunteer for the Visayans does not allocate any surplus funds to people such as owners or shareholders, instead the funding is used to help augment projects that help empower local Filipino communities.
Need help fundraising for your trip? Check out our fundraising page.
Where Does Your Money Go?
Accommodating Volunteers: 65% of our program fee is spent back on providing the resources to accommodate volunteers; this includes the payment of homestays, the arrangement of airport pick ups, excursions, orientation expenses, placement and homestay support and also the local volunteers to help you. The local volunteers are compensated with transportation allowance and a small honorarium given to low-income, local volunteers.
Community Development and Empowerment Projects: 30% of funding contributes towards the different projects and activities of the organization, taking into account what needs priority.
The 30% funding contributes to any of the following:
A. Annual healthcare and relief medical missions and to our emergency disaster relief fund.
B. Our local client group projects, community restoration, Adopt-A-School project and the Nutrition Project under the community feeding.
C. Contributes to the Build-A-Home and Build-A-School programs, to supplement private donations.
D. Scholarship program, which enables deserving members of our Boys and Girls Club to pursue a college education or vocational training. (Note: Some children receive help with post-high school education/training needs from their sponsors, who choose to continue sponsorship.)
E. The dumpsite project, our flagship outreach project that rehabilitates children working or previously working in the Tacloban City Dumpsite by enrolling them in school.
Administrative Costs: 5% of the program covers our administrative costs, such as paying the salaries of our local staff as well as the utilities for our community center (electricity, water, internet) which are used daily by our project dependent clients.
2 Weeks: $950
3 Weeks: $1,070
4 Weeks: $1,190
Additional Week thereafter: $150 USD
What’s included:
Homestay Accommodation
2 Meals/day (breakfast and dinner)
Comprehensive Program Orientation
City Tour
Airport Transfer between Tacloban DZR Airport and Bliss (Pickup and Send Off)
Placement Orientation
Waray-Waray Basic Language Lesson
Project Tour
Excursion
24-hour Support from volunteer coordinators
Read more about what’s included here.
Not included:
Airfare
Visa
Insurance
Vaccinations
Personal expenses
Independent Trips
