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?
- Encourage and inspire the children into future education, which will provide many benefits for them
- Teach at local schools in Aborlan, Palawan and assist teachers that are over-run
- Increase your skills as a teacher by teaching the children on your own or with another volunteer
- Install confidence, creativity and individuality within the students as they practice their new skills
WHAT you can do?
- Teach English conversational skills, writing, reading, drawing, through fun activities
- Get creative through painting, drawing, crafts and anything else you can think of!
- Get the kids active by playing sports and playground games
- Teach at rural primary schools or informal schools for street children and unemployed adults
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: PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHING
LOCATION: ABORLAN, PALAWAN
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE
MIN DURATION: 1 WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required
Overview
- School Holidays –
English Summer Camp and School Break Schedule
- Due to the increasing
heat index as summer approaches, the Department of Education has adjusted
the school children’s two-month vacation. Classes will now end on April
16, 2025, and resume on June 29, 2025.
- As a result, our English
Summer Camp will run from April 21 to June 27, 2025, for both the
Teaching and Kindergarten programs.
The Teaching Program in Tigman Village, Aborlan, Palawan, provides a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact on elementary students aged 6–12. Through interactive lessons in English, Math, and Science, this program emphasizes practical learning and effective communication, helping students build their confidence and skills for a brighter future.
Designed to support both elementary and secondary school children, the program incorporates creative teaching methods to improve English communication and inspire a love for learning.
As a volunteer, you’ll play a key role in shaping young minds while immersing yourself in a rich cultural exchange amidst the breathtaking beauty of Palawan. Your contributions won’t just give students a strong educational foundation—they’ll also create lasting memories and a meaningful connection to the local community.
Program Highlights
- Teach English to local children and enhance their communication skills.
- Lead fun and interactive learning activities, including games, arts, and songs.
- Share your culture through stories, visuals, and experiences, fostering intercultural exchange.
- Work alongside local teachers and coordinators to create an engaging learning environment.
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture and build lifelong memories.
Your Role
- Teach English, Math, and Science in an interactive, hands-on way.
- Plan and deliver engaging lessons aligned with the school curriculum.
- Organize and facilitate learning activities such as songs, dances, and sports.
- Collaborate with local teachers to design lessons and assessments.
- Take part in cultural exchanges by sharing your experiences and learning about local traditions.
Location
Aborlan, situated in the stunning island of Palawan in the Philippines, known for its lush landscapes and rich biodiversity. Aborlan offers a serene escape for those seeking respite from the bustle of urban life. With its stunning beaches, lush forests, and incredible wildlife, the town invites adventurers and nature enthusiasts to explore its hidden gems. The projects are located approx 45 min outside the main city of Puerto Princesa where you will be warmly welcomed into the community.
Project Tasks
- Widen the Island children’s multi – cultural interactions.
- Improve the children’s educational prospects particularly in improving English Communication skills.
- Assist the local staff and teachers by providing an extra hand.
- Develop your teamwork and creativity skills through practical work.
- Reciprocal Learning Experiences.
- Give you invaluable and practical experience in teaching.
Food & Accommodation
The volunteer centre provides rooms shared with 4-8 people per room, with the houses complete with either a fan or air con, T.V, kitchen, wifi (this can be limited sometimes), mosquito protection, bed linen and lockable rooms. Limited laundry facilities, so expect to wash your clothes by hand, unless you’d like to use the laundry service for a small fee.
*Private rooms may be available for a small upgrade, please ask us in advance.
3 meals per day are provided each day (2 on weekends), with mainly local Philippino foods being served, including lots of vegetables, rice, fish, meat and eggs. Meals are served on site at the accommodation.
*Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.
Standard
Projects (Palawan)
- Kindergarten Teaching, Aborlan
- Primary School Teaching, Aborlan
- Mangrove Conservation, Aborlan
- *Community Construction, Aborlan
- *Kindergarten Teaching, El Nido
- *Primary School Teaching, El Nido
- *Community Construction, El Nido
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1 Week - $370
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2 Weeks - $465
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3 Weeks - $695
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1 Month - $865
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2 Months - $1595
-
3 Months - $2390
- Private rooms in Abloran cost additional $250 p/week, and in El Nido $300 p/week
What's Included
-
Accommodation
-
Meals
-
Airport Pickup
-
Local Transportation
-
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 fees included in below pricing 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
If you love working with young people, are energetic and want to inspire the furture generation, then yes absolutely! Teaching in a foreign country can be challenging but the rewards are even greater. The children here greatly value the help you give, making this a rewarding project with lasting impacts.
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
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 Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). You must arrive between 10:00 – 17:00 on Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer for US$50.
If arriving during the week, or on Saturday, we charge US$50 for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another US$50 fee for a private transfer.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
From the airport the accommodation, it takes 1.5 hours by road.
Monday: Welcome & Orientation
Morning:
- Kickstart the program with an introduction session. Meet your team, review house rules, set expectations, and discuss essential health and safety guidelines.
- Immerse yourself in Filipino culture with an overview of local customs, dress codes, and a basic Filipino language lesson to help you connect with the community.
Afternoon:
- Take a guided tour of the town center and nearby areas to familiarize yourself with your new environment.
- Need to stay connected? We’ll assist you in setting up a local SIM card.
Evening:
- Join the program coordinators for an overview of the week’s planned activities and goals.
- Enjoy a warm and welcoming dinner with fellow participants, a perfect opportunity to relax and bond before diving into your impactful work.
Tuesday to Friday
Morning and Afternoon:
- Teaching & Activities: Dive into interactive teaching sessions with children, focusing on language development, games, songs, and basic English lessons to inspire learning through fun.
- Support & Care: Collaborate with local teachers to manage and care for children during activities, ensuring a nurturing environment for all.
Evening:
- Prepare for the next day’s lessons and activities, crafting creative plans to keep the children engaged and learning.
Other Information
Special Thursday Activity:
- Join the Karaoke Night at the nearby Village Beach Bar from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This lively event offers a chance to relax, socialize, and celebrate. It serves as a warm welcome for new participants and a heartfelt farewell for those completing their programs.
Daily Schedule Note:
- Program activities will run for a minimum of four (4) hours per day, giving you plenty of time to contribute meaningfully while leaving space to explore, unwind, or connect with the community.
***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances. ***
*Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience.
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.
Teaching experience or a TEFL certificate is appreciated, but not mandatory
For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: PH – Holidays – All Programs
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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