Am I suitable for volunteering?
Anyone can volunteer. There are no special talents or conditions required. However, there are necessary requirements that you will need as a foreign volunteer. Here are some:
- Passport (with half year validity upon arrival) and Visa (upon arrival 30 days)
- Outbound Ticket
- Travel Insurance
- Proper vaccinations for WIN Volunteers
Why do I need to pay for volunteering?
WorldActivity Philippines is a professional organization that puts everything in place to ensure that:
- Volunteers will have a great time in the Philippines
- Students can do an internship that meets all requirements
- The input of volunteers in the projects is as useful and sustainable as can be
WorldActivity Philippines takes pride in informing the participants and projects well, guiding and visiting volunteers during their placement, being always available for volunteers and projects when needed and also to extend its support to the projects when there are no volunteers. This costs time and money. That is why we need to charge you a basic fee per participant. This enables us to deliver the services that we think are necessary to give you your best possible time in the Philippines.
What are the costs of staying in the Philippines?
Check this page for prices and conditions.
It is difficult to indicate how much money you will need. This depends, of course, on your living standards and your accommodation. Underneath you will find some indication of prices.
Rental accommodation
From a bed in a dormitory to luxury hotels, anything is available. A typical dorm bed costs between P350-500, a single room between P500 and 1500 (shared bath, no airconditioning), a double room between P700 and P2000.
Food & Drinks
Eating in small local restaurants varies from P100 for breakfast and P250 for dinners to more expensive international meals, which starts at P350. Soda costs around P30, and beer P40.
Most volunteers will approximately spend P850 per day on breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport & Tours
A jeepney (local transport) will costs around P8. The metro will be around P15. A taxi is more expensive, but in comparison with Western standards it is cheap. Starting rate of a taxi is P40.
Costs for Visa-Extension
If you stay more than 30 days you will need a visa. An extension of 29 days will cost around P 3,100.00
Check the website of the Bureau of Immigration for the latest updates and prices. When leaving the country, you will have to pay a terminal fee of P550.
Project Donation (If applicable)
It might be that some organizations will ask for an extra donation.
Where do I stay?
Most volunteers stay in Metro Manila in a hostel or a host family. Nearly all accommodation possibilities are 30 minutes till an hour away from our partner organizations. Some partner organizations have the possibility to accommodate you.
How do I prepare?
You are in the Philippines, meaning that flexibility is required. Mostly things are not going the way you are used to in your country of origin. Before coming to the Philippines it is good to think about activities you want to do at the organization. Check out the World Supporter School Bank. Ask yourself the following questions: what am I good at and what do I like to do? Our partner organizations always appreciate own initiative. Do things you love to do and discuss this with the staff of the organization.
What about my volunteer program?
WorldActivity Philippines is an intermediary. We will inform you about the partner organization of placement and possible activities you can carry out at the organization. You can discuss your schedule and activities you would like to do with the staff of the partner organization upon arrival in the Philippines.
Why do I need a Travel Insurance?
Helping out on a project as a volunteer or doing your internship with a local organisation, it all sounds exciting, but unfortunately things can go wrong and you can find yourself needing urgent medical assistance, help with replacing lost luggage and/or assistance with making an urgent trip back home. Travel Insurance can offer coverage for the following:
- Medical Costs, from a visit to a local doctor to emergency hospital care;
- Expatriation in countries where medical facilities are limited, repatriation by air ambulance is sometimes necessary;
- Extra Travelling Expenses coverage is available should you need to return home due to a sick family member or if for medical reasons you are required to return home;
- Luggage, in the unfortunate situation of stolen luggage it is reassuring to know that the costs of replacing your stolen items can be insured;
- If it is necessary to cancel your trip prior to departure due to unforeseen circumstances, insurance is available to cover cancellation costs incurred.
Check our Insurances section for CareMed, Covered Abroad or World Nomads and apply online!
How can I make a donation?
We are always happy to be able to receive donations, in order for us to get more people to volunteer at very affordable rates, so volunteering accessable for almost all of us.