Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in the Philippines
- Poverty is widespread, with 21.6% of the population in the Philippines living below the poverty line
- Malnutrition is evident, with 1 in 3 children under five having stunted growth, due to lack of a nutritional diet
- The Philippines is prone to natural disasters, which can affect farming and agriculture, one of the main sources of food for many families
- Many poor families have little education and limited access to health services
HOW can you help?
- Volunteer in healthcare clinics, assisting nurses and doctors
- Educate the local community and children on nutrition, healthy eating and exercise
- Get hands-on, working and interacting with patients
- Interact with the medical professionals, share knowledge about health practices from back home
WHAT you can do?
- Depending on experience, record patient vitals and perform health checks
- Watch and learn from the local doctors and gain an insight into overseas healthcare
- Help administer inoculations and treat wounds
- Assist with general outpatient services and screenings
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: MEDICAL INTERNSHIP
LOCATION: TACLOBAN, LEYTE
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: HOMESTAY (PRIVATE OR TWIN SHARE)
MIN DURATION: 2 WEEKS
MIN AGE: 18+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS OR STUDENTS, Criminal background check required
Overview
Rural communities in Philippines have very little access to quality healthcare, and the busy centres are normally run off their feet and low on resources. In these areas usually one or two doctors and a handful of nurses have the responsibility of looking after an entire community with thousands of people and limited resources. By volunteering you’re helping these underfunded clinic’s in providing manpower while gaining first-hand experience from qualified nurses and doctors.
The rural health unit clinics are one of the only sources of free healthcare available in these areas. Every single day new challenges present themselves in providing standard equipment, medicine, and healthcare supplies. This placement is geared for volunteers seeking medical experience or those with experience to help implement professional medical ideas and skills in a challenging yet rewarding environment.
You will work in health clinics in rural towns outside Tacloban City. The clinics will benefit greatly from the services of volunteer medical professionals and qualified students. Volunteers who are needed include doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and medical and nursing students.
Volunteer work depend on your qualifications and experience. In the past, volunteers have assisted in taking patient vitals, obtaining medical history, administering inoculations, assisting with minor surgery, helping with delivery, and conducting medical screens and exams. The services are generally provided at the clinic, although periodically outreach health services are provided to outlying areas.
You may also be able to assist in other areas such as collecting statistical support for the nutrition project or delivering public health awareness seminars to various community groups.
This program requires good initiative as the clinics are overwhelmed with patients and not enough doctors, and whilst the local doctors are great at what they do, they are understaffed and underfunded. The help of volunteers is very much welcome!
Location
Tacloban is approximately 360 miles from Manila. It’s the capital of the Province of Leyte and has a population of 275,000 people. The city offers international volunteers an opportunity to be immersed in a unique Asian culture, which is at least partially left untouched by Western Culture, especially in the rural areas. In November 2013, Tacloban was one of the most devastated areas of the Philippines when Super Typhoon Yolanda (Hayian) ravaged through the Philippines; therefore, the city and surrounding areas now present an even greater range of opportunities for international volunteers. Tacloban is easily accessible by air from Manila or Cebu through daily flights offered by Philippines Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Zest Air.
Project Tasks
- Record patient vitals
- Obtaining medical history
- Assisting with diagnosis
- Shadowing doctors and nurses
- Training, research and education
- Dressing wounds
- Administering inoculations
- Conducting medical screens
- General outpatient services
- Preventative health education talks
- Specialist services such as Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Health Promotion for Wellness activities
Food & Accommodation
At the core of your experience is the friendly and warm accommodating local home stay, who have been accepting volunteers for over a decade. Life inside a homestay is not only safe and cost effective, but is also a great way to contribute to the local economy and to experience the true nature and culture of the Philippines. All homestays have electricity and running water.
You will have a private room by yourself or shared with a fellow volunteer. Mosquito net, electric fan, bed linens and door lock are also provided. The bathroom will be shared with the family and will be basic with cold, bucket baths (hot running showers are uncommon in Philippines) as it’s so tropical and warm! All home stays are English speaking. The home stays have been thoroughly evaluated before being accepted into the program and have been in operation for several years. You will be able to experience the Filipino culture and participate in the daily life of a local.
Breakfast and dinner are provided but volunteers will need to buy their own lunch which costs approx 50-80 pesos. Access to filtered drinking water will also be provided by your home stay. All meals will be served with rice and typically include fish, chicken or pork. Home stays can cater for special dietary restrictions, however we require advance notice so we can place you accordingly.
Standard
Projects (Leyte)
- Healthcare
- Medical Clinic Internship
- Street Children Support
- Boys Youth Rehabilitation
- Women's Welfare
- Primary English Teaching
- Special Needs School
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2 Weeks - $900
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3 Weeks - $1070
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4 Weeks - $1240
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8 Weeks - $1840
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12 Weeks - $2420
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation (not for Leyte programs)
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
Individuals embarking on a career in health care will be able to gain valuable experience in their chosen fields. Qualified practitioners and/or any students studying in the discipline of medicine, health science or related fields. You may be studying medicine or an aspiring medical professional with a strong desire. Every application will be considered as the needs in this area are very great.
- Accommodation
- 2 meals per day (breakfast & dinner)
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
- Transportation and and from the program
Your first day will consist of comprehensive overview of the program including what to expect, health and safety, introduction to Filipino culture and introduction to staff and fellow volunteers. A guided city tour is also included for Tacloban placements.
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Tacloban airport before 6pm on the Sunday before your project.
Working hours are generally from 8am to 12pm, although you can do more if desired. Each day can vary due to the needs at the time. You will be assisting the doctors with checking in patients and performing health checks, where experienced.
Please note, transportation to and from the program is not included. You can use the affordable public transport options or a taxi at your own cost.
Beaches of Boracay
This small island is known for its outstanding natural beauty, and pristine white sand beaches. White beach stretches for 4km and is a popular place to visit. There are plenty of cafes and nightlife, including fire throwers and live music at the bars.
Bohol Chocolate Hills
Take a visit to Bohol island, around an hour from Cebu, and check out the 1200 hills of all shapes and sizes. This stunning natural formation is quite a sight. You can hike or take an ATV ride up the hills.
Diving
The Philippines have many amazing dive spots, and some of the most pristine water in the world! With plenty of fish, coral reef and even whale sharks, this is a divers heaven. You can even learn to dive here.
Twin Lagoon on Coron Island
You may have seen images of this spectacular beauty spot online- and it doesn’t disappoint! As well as some incredible diving, you can also explore some stunning viewpoints, secluded beaches, or go on a boat tour around these turquoise blue waters.
Ziplining
For those who love adventurous activities, why not try ziplining?! Check out the stunning one on El Nido, with beautiful views over the beach. It’s 750 metres and will give you that adrenaline kick for sure.
Kayaking
There are plenty of gorgeous places to kayak in the Philippines, and it’s secret lagoons are some of the best spots. Paddle your way through the stunning rock formations and crystal-clear waters.
Vigan Town
This very pretty town has a Hispanic heritage that is evident as you walk through the artsy cobbled streets. Vigan town is on the island of Luzon and is a great weekend trip, with museums, cafes, workshops and quirky sights. For photographers, you can get some pretty shots at dawn, when the town is empty.
Underground River, Palawan
Puerto Princesa is a beautiful river that goes underground, through impressive limestone caves. Book a boat tour to take you through the caves.
Manila
The capital city, Manila is a hustling and bustling place, with plenty of culture. Be sure to check out the museums, art galleries, old buildings, cafes and bars.
Medical professionals must submit a copy of their credentials or certificates. Please provide within your application. Students who are pursuing a career in health care must be at least 18 and have a strong commitment to work in the health care field.
The Philippines consists of more than 7000 islands and is a land apart from the mainland of Southeast Asia. The people are, simply, Filipinos – and proud of it. Welcoming, warm and relentlessly upbeat, it is they who captivate and ultimately ensnare visitors.
Islands are jungle-clad, mountainous and flanked by aquamarine waters and a world renowned coral reef. But you’ll find plenty of variations on this theme, from marooned slicks of sand in the middle of the ocean to sprawling, overpopulated mega-islands like Luzon and Mindanao.
About half of the Philippines’ 88 million people live in rural areas. Poverty is most severe and most widespread in these areas and almost 80 per cent of the country’s poor people live there. Agriculture is the primary and often only source of income for poor rural people.
Overall, more than a third of the people in the Philippines live in poverty. There are substantial differences in the level of poverty between the regions and provinces and the poverty gap between urban and rural areas is widening.
November to April is the most popular time to visit the Philippines, as this is when there is the least rainfall.
June to October is wet season and November to May is usally dry. Shoulder months can be a great time to travel as you can still get some good weather but there are less crowds. The island weather can vary, so it’s worth checking the weather for which islands you will be visiting at which time of year.
The Philppines has a big Latin and Spanish influence, due to the previous Spanish rule. Evidence of this can be seen throughout the Philippines. The Filipino people are very welcoming, like to have close family bonds, and getting together with friends and family to eat, sing and dance. They are also very religious and most go to church at least every Sunday.
Filipino people have a great respect for thier elders, saying the phrases ‘po’ and ‘opo’, when speaking with thier elders. They love a good party and festival, particually Christmas which they can celebrate right into the second week of January!
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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