In Palawan, there is a high demand for assistance in construction and renovation work. Many people on the Island don’t have the funds to renovate their houses or upgrade communal places such as schools, healthcare facilities and community centers. As a volunteer on this program you will be assisting the local community with their housing and help renovate, upgrade and construct communal places and institutions such as schools, healthcare centers, hospitals and community centers.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum One-Week Commitment):
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). You and fellow volunteers will be picked up from the airport and taken to settle into the volunteer house in Palawan.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will receive an orientation, complete with a Philippine culture lesson, language lesson, tour of the area, a broom making or coconut leaf weaving workshop and a cooking class!
Days 3-6, Tuesday- Friday: Rewarding volunteer work at the construction site.
Days 7-8, Saturday and Sunday: Volunteers staying only one week will depart on Saturday. The weekend is free for volunteers who are extending to spend how they wish.
Remaining Weeks: Remaining weeks will follow the pattern of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free.
Program Highlights:
- Live and volunteer on the beautiful island of Palawan
- Help to renovate houses, health care centers, schools and other community facilities
- Engage in positive cultural exchange by working alongside local community members
- No experience is necessary to join, but much experience will be gained
- Explore the surrounding fishing villages and smaller islands during free weekends with fellow volunteers
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum One-Week Commitment):
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). You and fellow volunteers will be picked up from the airport and taken to settle into the volunteer house in Palawan.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will receive an orientation, complete with a Philippine culture lesson, language lesson, tour of the area, a broom making or coconut leaf weaving workshop and a cooking class!
Days 3-6, Tuesday- Friday: Rewarding volunteer work at the construction site.
Days 7-8, Saturday and Sunday: Volunteers staying only one week will depart on Saturday. The weekend is free for volunteers who are extending to spend how they wish.
Remaining Weeks: Remaining weeks will follow the pattern of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free.
Location of the Project:
Palawan, Philippines
Project length:
Min 1 week - Max 8 weeks
Arrival Airport:
Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS)
Volunteer Work:
Rebuilding, renovation and construction, general maintenance
Age:
18 - 60
Number of Volunteers:
Up to 20 International volunteers
What's Included
Accommodations:
Shared room in volunteer house
Food:
Three meals a day (excluding lunch on the weekends)
Airport Transfers:
Airport pickup is provided upon arrival
Orientation:
Volunteers will receive an orientation, complete with a Philippine culture lesson, language lesson, tour of the area, a broom making or coconut leaf weaving workshop and a cooking class!
Support:
Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What's not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, personal expenses
Palawan is a province of the Philippines comprised of a main island and a number of smaller islands surrounding it. The main island of Palawan is long and narrow and dotted with fishing villages and is encompassed by the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. It is surrounded by beautiful blue sea, which goes perfectly with the emerald green mountains which form the mainland. As the most sparsely populated region in the Philippines, with an exquisite array of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, Palawan is considered by many as the last frontier of the Philippines.
As a volunteer, you will work alongside local Palawan people giving you a unique insight into the lifestyle and culture of the population of this beautiful island.
The main construction and renovation activities may include:
A typical day: Monday through Friday you will assist the local community with construction and renovation efforts. Your day will be broken up by an hour lunch break, after which you will return to work.
Please note: the schedule may be changed and/or amended depending on the needs of the project, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Holidays: Volunteer work does not take place during national holidays, but you are always welcome to join in the local celebration.
Please note these consecutive holidays, which may impact short-term placements, before registering:
The main construction and renovation activities may include:
- Painting
- Building walls
- Renovating furniture
- Gardening
A typical day: Monday through Friday you will assist the local community with construction and renovation efforts. Your day will be broken up by an hour lunch break, after which you will return to work.
Please note: the schedule may be changed and/or amended depending on the needs of the project, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Holidays: Volunteer work does not take place during national holidays, but you are always welcome to join in the local celebration.
Please note these consecutive holidays, which may impact short-term placements, before registering:
- December 24 & 25, 2020
Internet:
Free WiFi is available at the volunteer house, but coverage can be inconsistent.
Laundry:
There are limited laundry facilities available, so volunteers should expect to wash clothes by hand.
Accommodations:
You will be staying at the volunteer house, in single-gender rooms with up to 8 other volunteers. The accommodations include cold-water showers and Western style toilets. There is a beach by the river nearby that is ideal for swimming, as sometimes there are jellyfish present in the beach by the ocean close to the accommodations.
Food:
Three meals are provided every weekday and will consist mainly of local Filipino cuisine (lots of vegetables, meat, eggs, and rice). On the weekends, two meals per day will be provided (brunch, and dinner), consisting of the same local cuisines.
Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:
- Good level of English
- Police clearance
- Motivation to work with children
- Immunizations (please consult your local travel clinic)
- Malaria precautions
- Sturdy shoes
Travel Extras (Not Included)
You can extend your stay with one or more great program add-ons for an additional fee. Choose from one or more of the following and sign up upon registration:
Culture Week (Highly Recommended): Join an incredible week of Filipino cooking lessons, language classes and tours to learn more about the people, culture and customs of this magnificent country. Visit some of Palawan's highlights and get to know the other volunteers before beginning your program.
Beach Week: Spend a week before or after your volunteer placement exploring the El Nido beaches of Northern Palawan. For an additional fee, you can head to this untouched paradise to relax, go kayaking, get a massage or discover the underwater world.
You can extend your stay with one or more great program add-ons for an additional fee. Choose from one or more of the following and sign up upon registration:
Culture Week (Highly Recommended): Join an incredible week of Filipino cooking lessons, language classes and tours to learn more about the people, culture and customs of this magnificent country. Visit some of Palawan's highlights and get to know the other volunteers before beginning your program.
Beach Week: Spend a week before or after your volunteer placement exploring the El Nido beaches of Northern Palawan. For an additional fee, you can head to this untouched paradise to relax, go kayaking, get a massage or discover the underwater world.
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