International Volunteering can be an extremely valuable way to travel, make quality friends, learn about a new place and culture, and come away with unparalleled experiences.  Some of my most interesting stories and adventures have been the result of a few spontaneous voluntours I have gotten into.

In the Philippines I had some incredible times volunteering with an organization called Gawad Kalinga.  I helped a family do a little bit of construction in Payatas, checked out a few house building projects, and talked to many caring locals.  The local’s I met were eager to tell me stories, share their culinary delicacies (another reason I travel), and show me an unfamiliar to tourists side of the Philippines.  In Iriga City I was visiting a local community and somehow the local tourism authority heard a white person was in town and came to scoop me up and interview me like a celebrity (I kept playing the part).  Soon I was sipping cafe with the ministry of tourism, but in reality, I had no idea what I was doing or where I was.

While perspiring our way down a random road in Bali, Dwight Turner and I, walked past a sign that said Life House Children’s Home.  We looked at each other and said, “hey, let’s just step in and say hello to the kids, instead of continuing on to the beach,” which was our original plan.  Next we found ourselves at the fish market buying kilos of fresh fish with the Orphanage Dad that turned into an exciting and delicious meal for the entire orphanage.  We also spent time playing football, telling stories, and goofing around with the 20 or so kids.  In Bangkok, Dwight heads-up In Search of Sanuk, and organization dedicated to having fun while helping others!

Even though I’m just an average person who usually just wanders around a random place, I’ve had these and many more awesome adventures by spontaneously bumping into situations where help could be used.

No matter what your interest, skill, or hobby, there is an opportunity for you to be utilized as a willing  volunteer.  If you are a medical doctor, a construction worker, a day laborer, an artist, a joker, or simply an English speaker, you can find your niche.  That being said, volunteer placement and reality can be a daunting task and you might find yourself wading through a bunch of irrelevant information or programs that charge hefty fees.

That is where The Underground Guide to International Volunteering e-guide by Kristy Henderson comes into play, providing valuable resources to make volunteering a reality.  Kristy has been a traveling volunteer with various organizations for many years and she specializes in volunteering with organizations that don’t charge an arm and a leg for their services.  She has experienced a diverse range of volunteer programs, conducted acute research, and formulated this valuable resource.

Is volunteering right for you? Should I pay to volunteer? Is it possible to volunteer for free? What do I do next to start volunteering?  Kristy covers all these topics as well as thinking through a number of variables that you might not consider without prior experience.

There are two main things that strike me as being extremely useful in this e-guide.  First, it covers places to volunteer and gives advice on how to volunteer for FREE or just paying minimum personal living costs.  Next, it provides credible information by exposing honest thoughts and interviews from fellow volunteers in a diverse range of fields.  People that have participated in organized pay to volunteer programs, people who have chased natural disasters, people who have taught English, and others who have done random jobs, all express some of their honest opinions.

Figuring out the right organization to volunteer with can be a stressful task when making plans from an outside country and this guide is a great help.  If you are curious about international volunteering or want to get involved, The Underground Guide to International Volunteering is surely worthwhile.  In an effort to raise $10,000 for Hands on Disaster Relief, Kristy is selling her e-guide for $14.  If you want great advice for international volunteering and possibilities that exist, get a copy of the guide here.

With only positive and building experiences and awesome times I’ve had, volunteering is an awesome thing to consider, even if it’s just for a day or two or for a month or extended period of time!

-Migration Mark

Growing up I have had the privilege to spend Christmas in a “whirled” of places.  The contrast could not be much more drastic from Hutchinson, Kansas to Tandala, Democratic Republic of Congo, or from Albertville, France, to Bangkok, Thailand.

Fruit Vendor in Nairobi

1.  Albertville, France- 1991

By far my whitest Christmas was spent in Albertville, situated at the base of the Alps in France.  I vaguely remember the white cap of flakes on our medium sized hill outdoors and sledding or sliding down it in any possible manner.  The Christmas was my families first away from the United States and I believe my Mother searched out the ingredients for some sort of Chinese feast for our family and a select few guests to enjoy.  Along with the Chinese food we also partook of French availabilities like cheese and the most delicious baked goods and maybe even something similar to the Laos style insanewich!

2.  Tandala, Democratic Republic of Congo- 1992-1995

The hype of materialism and the world of advertising was non existent in Tandala, Congo.  Where we lived in the heart of the jungle no one had the opulence of disposable income and to trump that, there were actually no stores to purchase anything.  Within my immediate family we gave non monetary gifts of items such as hand me downs, crafts, and my most momentous; an “I.O.U.” for a toy truck.  Living in the tropics, close to the center of the globe, in conjunction with the humid jungle, the weather precisely on the 25th of December was by all means the hottest day of the year, and very noticeably so.  Amidst our steaming perspiration our indulgences included freshly butchered pig roasted in a “state of the art” barrel grill.  Other jungle greens and  fruits such as breadfruit, rose apples, varieties of bananas, feky feky (random green vegetable), and whatever seemed to be available would compliment the mighty pig.

3.  Honolulu, Hawaii, USA- 2004, 2006

As many of my relatives reside in Honolulu, and as the Asian culture dictates, Christmas time is an omnipresent buffet.  All things that are esculent around this time are indeed compulsory to be consumed (no resisting).  This includes a brilliant amalgamation of appetizing flavors.  Combination’s of things like honey cured ham, Chinese roasted duck, prime rib, rack of lamb (with mint sauce), homemade crab cakes, rice, walnut and cranberry salads, kilos of poke (marinated raw fish), and my Grandmother’s famous 7 layer Hawaiian jello.  The rites of passage on what should be eaten together is shattered in Hawaii.  Gastronomic medleys people can barely fantasize about are transformed into reality on Christmas day.

4.  Nairobi, Kenya- 1996-2004

Nairobi holds a large portion of my heart as I probably spent the most Christmas’s in this particular city in East Africa.  One year we ventured into the Karura National Forest, eager to illegally (didn’t know at the time) chop down our own Christmas tree!  We came home with a 13 footer that resembled the Tower of Pisa after a hurricane.  Though it was of evergreen decent, this weed had about 13 branches or 1 per foot.  On Christmas day in downtown Nairobi my family was able to assist in a program to give street kids haircuts, nail cuts, teeth brushes, brief medical check ups, and a Christmas meal to close.  Favorites to eat always included the famed Kenyan roasted goat or nyama choma!

Getting Haircuts in Downtown Nairobi

5.  Bangkok, Thailand- 2009

Inspired by a sticky rice (a variety of rice that is super sticky) shrine I inspected in Luang Prabang, Laos, I felt it mandatory to construct a sticky rice Christmas tree of my own on the 25th of December, 2009.  Since I live in Bangkok for the time being and I eat the best meal of my life consistently every night, I thought it might be appropriate on Christmas Day to also eat the best meal of my life…and that would be Thai food.

Christmas in Bangkok

Of all the memories I have retained from celebrating this day every year in varying “whirled” environments, I have not forgotten my belief that the real reason behind the festivities is the birth of Jesus.  Everyone have a phenomenol Christmas in whatever city or location you may be in!

-Migration Mark

This is the Part 2 of Voluntouring in the Bicol Region of the Philippines: Part 1

At the Base of Mt. Mayon

In July 2009, I ventured to the Bicol Region in the Philippines to check out some Gawad Kalinga villages (Building Houses with Hope), see some local attractions, eat some chili peppers and bicol express, meet some people, and have more valuable adventures with Gawad Kalinga.  I was on assignment as a volunteer with Gawad Kalinga and the newly developed voluntourism program for students from Ateneo de Manila University.  GK builds homes in the Philippines, aiming to create sustainable villages, form safe communities, and transform danger and poverty into nation building and lifting each other up.

Iriga City: GK Character Village

Though the rain disrupted much of the hiking and outdoor adventures that I had anticipated, there were still a few worthwhile options that I can suggest while visiting Bicol.

Cagsawa Ruins

Train of Tricycles near Iriga City

I stayed in Iriga City at the GK Character village which has an excellent guest house (it’s easiest to arrive in Iriga City and have a tricycle take you to the village, the people will be more than happy to see you).  I awoke one morning at the crack of dawn, and along with a homeowner from the village (he offered to be my guide), we made our way to Cagsawa, a quaint town on the slopes of the lethal Mt. Mayon.  Though the volcano was covered in thick clouds this day, I was still able to see the church ruins at the base, and able to feel the true eeriness at the hands of the evident destruction of the volcano from previous eruptions.  Mt. Mayon stands at 7,946 feet high and stands out with its nearly perfect cone shape as an incredible sight to see.

Close to Naga City are the beautiful Paniuason hot springs.  The warm pools of water are situated in a lush volcano valley, next to a gorgeous roaring river.  I would say they are some of the most lovely hot springs I’ve seen and very necessary for the soaking of an aching body (which is just about always for me).

Camsur Watersport Complex, which I mentioned in Voluntouring in Bicol is also one of the main attractions that Bicol and Naga City have to offer, ranking as one of the best man made water sports parks.

In the right season (usually February through May) there is the brilliant opportunity to swim and view whale sharks, explore islands (one where Survivor was filmed), and go to beaches for surfing, all the in the Bicol region.  Swimming with whale sharks is near the town of Donsol, Sorsogon which is close to Legazpi City.

When I was in Bicol the weather was dreary and cloudy, so for the most part I remained quite low key, visiting some people and conversing.  Allow me to visit with a local community, eat Bicolano food (bicol express, laing, pili tarts), and take an afternoon siesta (nap), and I find myself quite satisfied.  Bicol is a great place to pursue environmental adventures as well as simple relaxation.

My time in Bicol was limited but I was there long enough to conclude that the region is a wonderful area to visit by way of relaxing attractions and the people are warm, friendly, and very generous.

-Migration Mark

Related:

• Volunteering in the Bicol Region of the Philippines
• The World’s Smallest Active Volcano
• Building Houses with Hope, Gawad Kalinga
• Valuable Adventures With Gawad Kalinga

This is Part 1, check out Voluntouring in Bicol, Philippines: Part 2

Recently a super typhoon has battered part of the Philippines including the region of Bicol.  Many people have gathered together to make efforts at helping others through the devastating destruction.  GK is making efforts for relief, clean up, and rehabilitation.

In July 2009, I ventured to the Bicol Region in the Philippines to check out some Gawad Kalinga villages (if you don’t know what GK is check out Building Houses with Hope), do some touristy things, eat some chili peppers and bicol express, meet some people, and have more valuable adventures with Gawad Kalinga.  I was on assignment as a volunteer with Gawad Kalinga and the newly developed voluntourism program for students from Ateneo de Manila University.  I intended to check things out and do some writing and blogging about my experiences.  I left Bicol with new experiences, was taken care of by generous people, and I probably gained a little weight in the process.

From the Cubao bus terminal in Manila, I was able to catch an overnight bus to Naga City in Bicol.  From the frigid bus (I would recommend wearing a parka and long johns), I arrived into the hot humidity of Bicol which is known for chili pepper and Whale Sharks.

A kuya (brother) from the organization of Gawad Kalinga (GK) arrived to meet me at the bus terminal and introduced me to a number of things that would compose of my schedule for my short visit to the region.

One of the main tourist attractions that exists near Naga City is the Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC)(you can click this link for the prices), known as one of the world’s premier wake boarding destinations.  An hour of wake boarding with all the gear rental runs around 400 PHP, making it very affordable on a world scale.  If you are into adventure and water sports don’t hesitate to give this water park a try.  First timers are easily welcomed and encouraged at CWC.

I had already had a great time in Bicol in Iriga City with Gawad Kalinga and today I journeyed towards the GK Libmanan village by catching a jeepney for 25 PHP from the central jeep station in Naga City.  The driver dropped me off about 45 minutes later, having to wake me from my slumber.  The village is located right off the main road and most of the drivers should know where it is if you wish to visit.

The Libmanan village is somewhat of a model village when it comes to GK and was impressive to walk around.  The homeowners take pride in their organically grown vegetables, fish farm, school, and on site store.  There is also a sustainable project of making slippers for resale.  A basketball court and church on the property in the future are in the overall game plan.  I had a great time conversing with some of the ladies in the village and the women that were working in the store while they were selling rice and basic essentials.  The members of the village were eager to talk to me and treated me with ultimate hospitality.

GK Libmanan School

Making Slippers in Libmanan

Libmanan Garden Project

I only spent one night in the Gawad Kalinga Libmanan village but I was able to meet many friendly and generous people again, eager to show me around.  My stay was encouraging and Gawad Kalinga Libmanan is a great place to spend time, meet locals, and hang out when in Naga City.  The village has open doors to anyone who is interested and wants to visit!  Don’t miss out on a great opportunity if you are in the area of Naga City.

-Migration Mark

Though I have been to only a fraction of Gawad Kalinga (GK) villages (if you are not sure what GK is check out Building Houses With Hope)(GK builds homes for the poorest of the poor in the Philippines giving people not only a living structure but a new perspective on life with an attitude to succeed), the Iriga Character village in the Bicol region of the Philippines was an astonishing example of how improvements are feasible in the midst of poverty.

I caught a 1.5 hour bus from Naga City to the sleepy and ultra humid bus terminal in Iriga City.  A local volunteer with GK accidentally but essentially bumped into me at the terminal and was heading in the same direction towards the village and let me tag along. The GK Character village is located roughly 20 minutes (7 km) from the Iriga City proper (rather difficult to find if you are a newbie).  It is accessible by riding the Filipino version of a tuk-tuk, known as the tricycle (a motorcycle with a makeshift pedicab welded together with somewhat of a bike tire making up the third wheel, and in Bicol they fit 10-12 riders, I still don’t know how it is engineering-ly possible, but somehow it works).

I was greeted by smiling people and happy children, willing to show me around their village even if they did not feel comfortable speaking English or talking at all.  Being rainy season, it was raining, and one of the boys from the village took the liberty to find an umbrella and personally carried it above my head as we walked up the hill for the view of the village, the flowers, and the dominating Mt. Iriga in the background.

Just as in being Immersed in Payatas, GK Jack and Jill, and GK Libmanan (all GK village sites), the folks at GK Character village were hospitable, willing to share everything, and genuinely cared for my concerns.  They were willing to listen to any questions I had.

A homeowner, Tita Norma (who was always cheerful, far right), graciously provided me with meals and cooked a glorious array of fresh Bicolano garden produced vegetables in fresh coconut milk and rice.  For breakfast I was treated to a dazzling mix of various wonderful tasting Filipino breakfast dishes such as fried noodles with vinegar, fried rice, egg, and Filipino pancake. Just like in Bangkok where little things make a difference, and Bali with the house of life, together with In Search of Sanuk founder Dwight, I was inspired again by the graciousness of people who have very little but are happy and willing to share what they do have. An immersion into a local persons home if it be in the Philippines or anywhere else in the world is valuable exposure to a different way of life.  If we can strive to have a positive attitude, we can retain a better judgment and an improved knowledge of passing wonderful time while encouraging and pushing fellow humans in a positive direction.  Often it is little unspoken things such as merely spending time visiting, joking around (Filipinos love to joke and laugh), listening to stories, and showing appreciation for what others do that will uplift someone as well as yourself. In the words of one of my favorite philosophers Alain de Botton in his book the Art of Travel- “If is is true that love is a pursuit in others of qualities we lack in ourselves, then in our love of someone from another country, one ambition may be to weld ourselves more closely to values missing from our own culture.” Let us be thankful for what we have, grateful for what we can do, and happy for the life we have.  There is no better place to learn this than in a GK village where people have little but are usually content and excited with what they do have. -Migration Mark

“If you can smell the garbage, you are entering Payatas,” said Tita Silver, the mother of my host family.

Our jeepney crackled through the streets amidst the hustle and bustle of vendors and commuters.  The stank of garbage was in the air and the streets and shops were not what you would call clean.

I was on a weekend trip in the Metro Manila area of Payatas (known as one of the main dump sites in Metro Manila) in Quezon City, joining a group of students from Ateneo de Manila University on their immersion program with Gawad Kalinga (GK) who build houses with hope.

We were divided into groups and I was assigned to stay with Tita (Auntie) Silver and family in their Gawad Kalinga (GK) village and home that was already built by the GK community.  The house was simple but clean, small but sufficient, and the family was warm, kind, and hospitable.

I was given the opportunity to volunteer my services, helping transport sand and cement from one location to another, mingling with the community in Molave Payatas, and conversing with various people, especially my host mother.

One of my main curiosities was “how had GK made a difference in your lfie and community?’  That single question sparked a multi-part answer and demonstrated the effectiveness and hope of GK.

Meet Tita Silver-

She is from the island of Mindanao in the south of the Philippines.  Tita Silver has a husband and nine children.  Her husband is a foreman construction worker and originally moved to Manila to look for work.  He eventually found work abroad, doing construction in places like UAE and Vietnam.  At the time of my visit Tita Silver’s husband was building a hotel on the touristy island of Boracay.

Migration Mark: How was life in Molave Payatas when you first moved from here from Mindanao in 1992, prior to the Gawad Kalinga village?

Tita Silver: Life was difficult, the area here was not comfortable, with drunkards and drug dealers all over.  All the houses were makeshift shanties, made from garbage.  At night it was dark and criminals could easily hide from police in dark alleys and piles of junk.  Most of the men had no jobs and would sit around and drink.  When it would rain everything would get flooded, there would be mud up to our knees, and I wouldn’t even be able to leave.  Sometimes there was no water and the drinking water was contaminated.

My husband had a job but on payday (every 2 weeks) he would get drunk, spending too much of the family money.  Finances would become very tight on the 10th or 11th day, waiting for the next pay check and often the whole family would go hungry for a day.

Migration Mark: How were you introduced to Gawad Kalinga?

Tita Silver: I heard about GK through a friend and approached a GK official, filled out surveys and applications.  Then someone checked on us and eventually my family was approved.  We were accepted in the GK program.

The Tita Silver families GK village house was finished in October 2008.

Migration Mark: How has life changed since the GK village in Payatas has been built?

Tita Silver: GK has provided many families with comfortable living conditions and really improved the conditions of the area.  The garbage can still be smelt, but we have fresh water, clean homes, and we are happy.  There are much fewer drunkards in the area and it is safe at night because we have become a community and know each other.  Now, most of the men work and have steady jobs to provide for their families.  GK has improved our lives and given us hope.

Tita Silver is on her feet and thankful for the things they have.  Some children are in University and working and going to school.  She is a member and head of the GK Payatas homeowners association.  The family also runs a small sari-sari (tiny convenience) store out of a room connected to their home.

I was privileged to stay with Tita Silver and she graciously gave up the only air mattress in the house for me to rest comfortably, as well as fed me with fantastic meals.  When I got really dirty from construction work, one of the son’s even let me borrow a pair of bright pink shorts!

-Migration Mark

Related

• Building Houses with Hope

Gawad Kalinga, known as GK, strives to create a Philippines and world with no more slums, no more violence, and no more poverty.  With dignity and honesty, GK and volunteers build homes, aiming to create sustainable villages, and forming safe communities as well as transforming danger and poverty into nation building and lifting each other up.  In the eyes of GK there is “less for self, more for others, [and] enough for all.”

GK provides the materials and builds homes for the poorest of the poor in the Philippines.  People who had no hope in life, struggling to survive another day, and living in the dumps, are given a chance to become homeowners, live as humans should, have proper survival resources, and work at jobs.

GK aims to create sustainable villages where the homeowners have small gardens and various projects that eek out necessities and generate small profits to maintain life (similar to my friend’s urban garden project in Bangkok).  Many are taught various trades like home decorating and gardening techniques among other skills that can provide benefits and lead to work.

The community villages that GK builds contain 60-100 families and usually around that amount of houses.  The houses are not plain and ugly but rather painted in bright pink, orange, green, blue, and other colors that promote hope and happiness.  They are houses that the owners are proud to own, improving their entire lives and the lives of their family members and relatives.  The houses have plants and flower planters to make the premises look friendly and welcoming.  GK firmly believes that humans should live like humans.

In the spirit of In Search of Sanuk who aim to “have fun helping others,” it was my goal while in the Philippines to offer my time and labor to GK for a couple weeks in an attempt to meet communities, hear fascinating stories, help out in anything, and learn from everything.

The founder of GK, Tito Tony Meloto was intrigued with my past history of couchsurfing and invited me to coushsurf in and around the warm and friendly Filipino Gawad Kalinga home owners and said they would gladly welcome me into their villages.

There are over 2000 GK villages now in the Philippines archipelago already, and one can volunteer with GK while traveling throughout the islands and staying with local Filipinos, sharing food, and love.

Another quality slogan coming from Gawad Kalinga is “united we stand, provided we eat.” It is often the poor who have very little who are also eager to share what they do indeed have and treat guests with ultimate kindness and complete unselfishness.

In my next few posts on Migrationology, I will share some of the experiences and opportunities I have had with some amazing and hospitable Filipinos through Gawad Kalinga.  I hope they will encourage others to also volunteer their time and selves to be a small part of helping and encouraging others.

“Providing a decent home is just the beginning of the transformation of the people and the community.” -Gawad Kalinga

For more information on Gawad Kalinga check out their website at www.galadkalinga.org

For more information on In Search of Sanuk and having fun helping others check out www.insearchofsanuk.com

Before GK in Payatas-

GK Village in Payatas-

-Migration Mark

Related

• Immersed in Payatas: From Dump to Triumph

While walking along the road trying not to get hit by speeding trucks, thumbs out to attempt a ride in vain, we came across Life House Children’s Home, Bali, Indonesia.

Along with Dwight Turner from In Search of Sanuk, we returned the next day to spend an incredible day interacting and hanging out with the kids.

As many know, Bali, and particularly the town of Kuta is dominated by party-happy tourists.  For this purpose there are numerous beggars and hawkers on the streets, 24 hours a day.  The kids from Life House are orphans from the streets of Kuta.  The kids all had rough beginnings but are extremely bright and on their way to being successful.  Their happiness and cheerfulness are enough to make the most unfriendly start laughing and playing.

As Dwight says, “we were on the receiving side of the giving.”

Please check out the video, and don’t hesitate to comment, they will surely be appreciated.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2sMg26gr5s

To check out other projects and activities check out In Search of Sanuk.

Cody McKibben is also partnering and writes inspirational articles at Thrilling Heroics.

Related

• Little Things Make A Difference: Off The Tourist Map
• Touching Down & Touching Hearts

There is tourism galore in Bangkok, Thailand, but there are plenty of activities to do that are off the beaten track of the extremely worn touristic routes.

A friend of mine, Dwight Turner founder of In Search of Sanuk, promotes worthwhile humanitarian causes in and around Bangkok.  Ali Pepler and I had the privilege of accompanying Dwight on some of  the projects he promotes.

We started off touring and learning about the Bangkok Refugee Center.  Thailand does not officially recognize refugees and therefore refugees and asylum seekers are in jeopardy of status in Thailand.

Bangkok Refugee Center provides a few important services to assist refugees and asylum seekers.  An educational learning center, a small medical clinic, various social services, legal assistance, and vocational training, are all services happening at the center.  In addition there is a small restaurant and barber shop run by refugees in order to raise funds.

We then traveled to the outskirts of Bangkok to Baan Bang Kae 2 (check out Bang-CARE Cheers the Elderly), an old folks home.  We volunteered to help the elderly at the home by celebrating the Songkran Festival or Thai New Years celebration.  We handed out backscratchers, cakes, and flowers, as well as helped sprinkle water on hands (which is the traditional custom during Songkran).

There are many things to do in Thailand and around the world that are against the tourist norms.  Volunteering and learning more about humanitarian projects is not only helpful to others, but also opens opportunities, connections, and a place to learn more about other people and cultures.

As we left the old folks center, the owner thanked us for coming and expressed his gratitude, “young foreigners don’t usually help out at off the map places like this, Thank you very much!”

Little things make a difference.

Related

• Visit www.insearchofsanuk.com or follow them on twitter
• Less Than $1 on Food in Bangkok

-Mark Wiens