About VFV -Founded in 2004, by Jason Coppage and Troy Peden (Go Abroad) - Volunteer for the Visayans is a non-profit established NGO - We focus on community development and international education

About VFV -Currently 6 local staff – (Volunteer Coordinator) Aldous B. Moro (Director) Helena Claire F. Arong a.k.a “Wimwim” (Coordinator)

About VFV -Want international volunteers to experience the life from a Filipino’s perspective and experience living in a third world country that needs a lot of help - Want volunteers to experience a culture foreign to their own - Aside from volunteer placements VFV raises funds for local projects, collects donations for kids, and runs a child sponsorship program

Location - Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines – 360 Miles Southeast of Manila, in the Visayans area - not a tourist destination so amazing cultural experiences - speak local dialect of Waray Waray - may be placed in local towns – Tanauan, Alang Alang, Tolosa, Bliss

Location

Location - Homestays - Volunteers will be placed with a Filipino Family (either by yourself, in pairs, or small groups) - Filipino families will provide breakfast and dinner for volunteers - one homestay usually has 1 CR (Comfort Room) - Home is very different from typical North American home

Volunteer Placements Offered Medical Placement - Volunteers can shadow and observe medical practices in the Philippines - ability to work and volunteer in rural areas - one doctor for the whole town/community - volunteers will assist the local doctors and get hands on experience - some days spent in the clinic other days in the community - consultation, weight, blood pressure, temperature, vaccinations, circumcisions?

Why VFV? - A non government organization - Cheaper volunteer fees compared to other organizations - Ability to gain experience volunteering in a third world country, but great exposure to a country with so much culture - Concern for the volunteers, and treats volunteers with great respect

Orientation and Excursions - Volunteers will be met at the at the airport - Will provide a city tour, and culture lessons - Orientation for a couple of days - Will visit the Santa Nino Shrine – Heritage Center - Will visit MacArthur Park - Volunteers will be taken to a beach resort on one of their last days - A farewell dinner well also be organized

What it takes to volunteer - Passion, Determination, Genuine - Ability to adapt to environments quickly - Enthusiasm, Open Mind, Sincerity, Maturity

Safety - There are certain provinces in the Philippines where it is extremely unsafe to go. - In Tacloban City, Leyte it is safe for volunteers, but volunteers should still take the same precautious as they do when they travel anywhere else - Must be 18 when arriving in the Philippines

Warnings/Tips - Must be able to withstand extremely high temperatures - Must be open to eating different types of food - Sanitation - Celebrity Status - Many health related precautions - Animal Rights - Last but not the least………………………………

Pre-Med’s Philippines Trip!!! Date: May 1 st, 09 - May 29 th, 09 Policies and Goals *WILL BE POSTED ON UWO WEBSITE*

Applications open TODAY and close at 11:59pm on October 2 nd, ( TWO applications are required 1.Pre-med application 2.VFV application form Electronic copies are to be ed to and hardcopies must be submitted to Pre-med’s office before noon after the due date (UCC 312)

Estimated Costs Airfare: $1600-$1800 CDN Volunteer Fees: $930 USD* Vaccinations: $200 - $400 CDN (Not under USC health plan) Spending: $100-$200 CDN/Week * Returning volunteers TBD ALL COSTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE CHANGES

Dates Applications due: Oct 2 nd, 2008 (Individual s will be sent out to successful candidates by the end of October) Deposit of $150 USD due: November 7 th, 2008 Airfare and full volunteer fees due: December 12 th, 2008

Rules and Regulations 1.2 Strikes Rule -Placements and excursions are NOT optional 2.No alcohol policy 3.Volunteers must be 18 when arriving in the Philippines. 4.More leaders will be chosen at a later date depending on the size of the group.

Other placements Pre-med group is only accepting volunteers for medical placements. New or returning volunteers who are interested in going to another placement, please contact

Questions? Please feel free to contact me at anytime between now to October 2 nd,08. Office Hour: Tuesdays at 9:30 am – 10:30 am

GOOD LUCK! I’M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING EVERYONE ON THIS TRIP! I HOPE TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS A REALLY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE!!