Community Development in the Philippines
On the island of Leyte, a one hour flight southeast of Manila, a community development project has been established just outside the capital city of Tacloban. At the very heart of the program volunteers are needed to help staff at the local community centre based in a housing project outside Tacloban. The centre is the lifeblood of the community and provides vital support for the local people. Many locals rely on its resources, and generous volunteers, for help in supporting and bringing up their families.
Day to day, volunteers will partake in an array of activities which include, but are not limited to:
- Develop and offer social welfare services for kids from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Teaching and / or teacher assistance at a local school - teaching English
- Assist with community nutritional programs
- Assist with a local micro-financing project for low income mothers
- Provide assistance with supplementary feeding for malnourished pre-school children
- Assist with community centre projects – help build local community centres so the local people have a place to gather and shelter in floods and poor weather conditions
- Assist with community housing projects
You will be closely supervised by the very friendly team of local staff.
Volunteers can also help with a number of other community development projects ranging from assisting with the development of a project which aims to rehabilitate children who are working, or have previously worked in the Tacloban City rubbish-tip.
If you have skills that will assist with any one particular project, those skills will be put to good use, however, as long as you have drive to help a community in need your participation will be valued. The diversification of activities on the project is a unique aspect.
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to1pm.
5 x $3000 New Colombo Plan mobility grants are available for this program.
Details
Name of Program | Community Development in the Philippines |
Country | Philippines |
Destination cities | Tacloban, Leyte |
Project Partner | CISaustralia |
Program Dates: | January 2019 (dates to be confirmed) |
Discipline: | Bachelor of Health Science |
International or Domestic students: | Both |
Language ability: | No language requirement |
Cultural Excursions: | Two local excursions are included in your visit to Tacloban City. This could be a beach holiday, visit to local monuments or a group dinner at one of the multi-cultural restaurants in Tacloban |
Type of Accommodation | Your accommodation will be in a local homestay. All homestays are English speaking and provide volunteers with a single room (or a shared room with another volunteer of the same sex), two daily meals (breakfast and dinner), 24 hour access to clean-drinking water, and a mosquito net. All of our homestays are located just a couple of minute walking distance from your placement coordination office. |
Is credit awarded for this program? | Yes. To be negotiated on a case by case with students, but particularly suited to award students credit for placement hours in work placement units. |
Scholarships and Benefits
In an effort to support your participation in program we have identified a few opportunities for financial assistance. Note that you will only need to apply for these once you have been accepted into the program.
Option 1: 5 x $3000 New Colombo Plan mobility grants will be available for this program.
Please see eligibility below.
Option 2: OS-Help Loan
OS-HELP is not a grant/scholarship, but it is an option that we would like to bring to your attention. Eligible students can receive a deferred loan for $3000 or $7700 which is added to your existing HECS-HELP debt. Further information can be found on the OS-HELP webpage (opens in a new window)
What is the New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant?
New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region. To be eligible you must be:
- an Australian citizen
- enrolled in an undergraduate degree at Western Sydney University
Note: The Government requires that 70% of participants in the program must be between the ages of 18 and 28. Therefore 30% of participants can be 29 and over. If you are over the age of 28, you are still encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest.
Cost
The 3-weeks program cost is $2349 and includes:
- Accommodation: Single or shared room in a local home-stay
- Food: 2 meals per day (breakfast and dinner)
- Airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
- Training: A pre-departure pack, onsite orientation and project induction will be provided to all volunteers
- Support: 24 hour support from onsite coordinators and access to the office in Tacloban City (including free WiFi).
- Excursions: As detailed above, two excursions are included in your visit to Tacloban City.
You pay extra for:
- International or domestic airfares
- Visa
- Extra meals
- Cost of optional excursions
- Police background check
While on your study tour, you will also be covered by Western Sydney University's student travel insurance.
How to Apply
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit an Expression of Interest (opens in a new window) by Friday 7 September 2018. Once your EoI has been received, we will work together with you to complete the full application form.
Further Information
For more details about the program visit CISaustralia Community Development in the Philippines (opens in a new window).
Or contact Dr Arianne Reis at a.reis@westernsydney.edu.au or (02) 4620 3136
New Colombo Plan Government Reference 21912
Mobile options: