LIST: Volunteer Organizations in Manila Where You Can Join
Having lived in the Philippines for some time now, you may have already fallen in love with this country whose tropical climate is as warm and sunny as its people. You now find yourself in close affinity with them that you somehow feel one with them at heart. You share their dreams, like their culture, appreciate their uniqueness, enjoy their humour, love their food, empathize with their struggles, accept their flaws, and value them as a people who have welcomed you among them with wide open arms.
IMAGE Volunteer For Asia
We couldn’t blame you though because despite their imperfections, the Filipinos are a warm, hospitable, friendly bunch of people you can’t help but love.
And then, you learn that behind their laughter and never-say-die spirit, some Filipinos actually endure some struggles you knew nothing of. While some live comfortable lives, others live off on a $2 a day, barely-able-to-make-ends-meet way. You learn about the plight of the unschooled children and impoverished families in some depressed areas, and you can’t help but want to do something to help them. You may be surrounded by all the ritzy things the city can offer, but in your heart you feel that you want to live beyond your comfortable world, reach out, and help make a change in these people’s lives, in some way.
And so to help you carry out this desire to help, we have listed here some organizations in the Philippines that actively seek to improve the lives of the underprivileged and help protect the world they live in. Remember, there are still a lot out there that you can support so feel free to expand your search. Most of them do not simply provide dole-outs to their beneficiaries but create ways to help them live sustainable lives on their own. There are groups that share your personal advocacy be it livelihood, education, healthcare, nation building or environment.
Also read: LIST: Orphan Care Centers in Metro Manila
You can very well share and volunteer your time, talent or resource and be a part of something that can outlive you. You can help change some lives or help make this world a better place, hopefully stop the cycle of poverty, sickness, and risks through education, livelihood, healthcare and community building efforts by working with others as one. Because at the end of the day, our purpose is not simply to enjoy life but to help effect a positive change around us, in our own little ways. So find an org to support, sign up now, and help uplift someone’s life and countenance. You’ll be glad you did!
1. World Vision
World Vision is an organization which aims to work for the well-being of the poor and the vulnerable through sustainable development, disaster and emergency response to assist and uplift the condition of the affected communities, and public engangement by raising awareness and advocacy to promote the well-being of children. World Vision focuses on Education, Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition, Child Protection, and Spiritual Nurture for Children.
Office: World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. 389 Quezon Avenue corner West 6th St. West Triangle, Quezon City 1104 Philippines
Tel: 02-374-7618 to 28
Email: wvphilippines@wvi.org
2. Gawad Kalinga
Empowered by people who are driven by faith and poverty, Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation,In. (GK) is a movement whose mission is to eradicate poverty for 5 millions families, and restoring the human dignity of the poor. Their road to eradicating poverty is in three steps: Social Justice, Social Artistry, and Social Progress.
Office: 2nd Floor, Cheng Building, 212 Haig Street, Brgy. Daang-Bakal, Mandaluyong City, Philippines 1552
Tel: 02-5332217
Email: info@gawadkalinga.com
www.gk1world.com
3. Operation Blessing
Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, In. is CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm. It was established to reach out to the neglected and the disadvantaged people in the country. It’s mission is geared towards Children, Disaster Reponse, Livelihood, and Infrastructure.
Office: C5 Road cor. Retelco Dr., Bagong Ilog, Pasig City
Tel: 02-477-7802 to 08
www.obphil.com
4. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity, a leader in answering the issues of poverty in over 70 countries, has “helped more than 6.8 million people find strength, stability, and independence through safe, decent, and affordable shelter.”
Office: 111 Paseo de Roxas Condominium Building, Tower I Makati City
Tel: 02-846 2177
www.habitat.org.ph
5. United Nations World Food Programme
World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization which addresses the issue of hunger. Yearly since its establishing in 1961, WFP is helping 80 million people in about 80 countries. Aside from alleviating hunger, they also focus on other issues including: climate action, disaster risk reduction, gender equality, nutrition, and more.
Office: 17th Floor RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center, 26th & 25th Streets, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634 Philippines
Tel: 02-833 6229
Fax: 02-823 1485
Email: wfp.philippines@wfp.org
www.wfp.org/countries/philippines
6. Child Haus
Office: #90 Mapang-akit St., Brgy. Pinyahan Quezon City Philippines
Tel: 02-454-8064
Fax: 02-456-2306
Mobile: 0916-4252927
Email: info@childhaus.org
www.childhaus.ph
7. WWF Philippines
Focusing on nature, World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines (WWF-Philippines) is focused on addressing the issues on the Philippine environment as they also want to live in harmony with nature. Aside from this, they also have a mission on addressing the problems on the climate, the oceans, species, food, and water.
WWF–Philippines Headquarters
Office: 4th Floor JBD Plaza #65 Mindanao Avenue Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City 1105 Philippines
Tel: 02-920-79 23/26/31
Fax: 02-426-3927
www.wwf.org.ph
Email: kkp@wwf.org.ph
WWF–Philippines Satellite Office (Marketing and Corporate Relations)
Office: Unit 1702 88 Corporate Center corner Valero and Sedeño Streets Makati City, 1228, Philippines
Tel: 02-556-2597; 02-822-2568
8. PinoyME Foundation
PinoyME Foundation started out as a social consortium to support the growth of Microfinance Institution (MFIs) before becoming a social investment banker for microentrepreneurs. Their strategies include Enterprise Development and Financial Services.
Office: Unit 202, Manila Luxury Condominium Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila 1605
Tel: 02-635-6387; 02-638-2851; 02-470-3197
Fax: 02-634-0249
Email: info@pinoyme.com
www.pinoyme.com
9. Virlanie Foundation
Established in 1992 by Dominique Lemay, Virlanie Foundation is one that cares for children who needs special protection. This includes those who are among the poor, the abandoned, the abused, exploited, neglected, and orphaned. Some of the programs they have are: Residential Programs, Support Programs, Support Services, Outreach Programs, Sustainability Projects.
Office: 4055 Yague St., Brgy. Singkamas, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1204
Tel:02-895-5260; 02-896-2289
Fax: 02-895-5232
Email: info@virlanie.org
www.virlanie.org
10. ChildHope Philippines
“ChildHope Philippines is a non-profit, non-political, non-sectaria organization who advocates for the cause of the street children in the country.” Its programs include the Baranggay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) and the Street Education Program.
Office: 1210 Penafrancia Ext., Paco Manila Philippines 1007
Tel: 02-563-4647; 02-561-7118
Fax: 02-563-2242
Email: childhope@hope.org.ph
www.childhope.hope.org.ph
Written by Ingrid Soriano, Philippine Primer, Edited by Rendcel Isip
Images grabbed from volunteerforasia.com
