Volulntourism in the Philippines
Philippines,  Sustainable Travel

Voluntourism in the Philippines: A new travel trend

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To be honest, I have always admired volunteer workers but initially did not want to sacrifice the comforts I got used with to actually join an event. In summer last year, I’d finally experience what voluntourism in the Philippines was like. I joined an event in Jomalig Island in Quezon Province and was glad to have finally found the type of volunteering work that I fit into.

Since then, I had been an advocate of voluntourism. I also noticed that more local travelers are doing voluntourism events, to nearby underprivileged communities and extending as far as provinces in Mindanao.

With the surge of voluntourism events the past year, I firmly believe that this is the new travel trend in the Philippines starting this year and the following years to come.

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What is voluntourism, exactly?

You may have been wondering what am I babbling about and why voluntourism is spelled as such. Okay, don’t tell me you haven’t wondered about that one.

Basically, voluntourism is a combination of two words – volunteerism and tourism. Here’s how voluntourism in the Philippines works: local travelers organize an outreach or charity program in a selected school or barangay in a province and allot at least a day for this activity. The remaining days of the trip they explore and visit tourist attractions as usual.

Voluntourism events are commonly organized by small non-profit groups or casual backpackers on their free schedule, which is why these are not widely publicized and visually unheard of, unless you have a lot of friends who are frequent travelers.

These events are normally KKB; volunteers who would like to join are expected to shoulder their own expenses, and no amount is collected by the organizer, though deposits may be asked in advance to secure accommodation or transportation.

As far as we know, volunteer work has been going on for the past centuries, so why is this becoming popular? Here are 3 reasons why voluntourism in the Philippines is the new travel trend.

Why you should try voluntourism

1. Travel cheaply

Voluntourism allows you to travel to different places in the Philippines with lower budget than usual. Let me share one of my recent experiences.

Last December, our voluntourism group, which is composed of mostly backpackers, went to a 5-day Cebu-Siargao adventure to give school supplies and hold game and feeding programs to the school kids of a small local community in Siargao. During this trip, we have also toured Oslob in Southern Cebu and the city proper, stayed and island hopped in the lesser-known, still-virginal parts of Siargao, and visited Siargao’s famous tourist attractions General Luna and Magpupungko Pool.

Alon ng Pag-asa volunteers in Siargao
Say hi! Traveler-volunteers in del Carmen, Siargao. (Photo by Hali)
Tikling Island in Sorsogon
With voluntourism, you can help poor communities and visit amazing places such as this as well. Taken in Tikling Island, Sorsogon. (Photo by Hali)

How much did we spend? Only P5500 each, excluding airfare. That’s considering Siargao is one of the more expensive destinations here in the country.

So how are traveler-volunteers able to compress budget in a small amount?

First of all, we travel in a group, so food and accommodation expenses are divided into more people and thus cheaper compared to traveling in one’s or two’s. Occasionally, a fellow volunteer or a good-hearted Samaritan who supports our mission provides free hosting as well.

We also do our best to minimize our budget without compromising the quality of our travels. For instance, we may opt to pitch tents instead of sleeping in inns/hotels for no or minimal fee.

Last summer, we camped in Salibungot Beach in Jomalig, in Quezon Province, a 10-hour land and boat ride away from Manila, to give school supplies, groceries, medicines and other items to a community in a nearby island. We saved expenses with this setup and woke up daily with a pleasant view of the golden beach and pristine waters of Jomalig Island.

This doesn’t mean that we skimp on necessary items, such as food. In fact, we love to eat! Our fellow volunteers who are good cooks help us during feeding programs (and in feeding ourselves).

Outreach lunch
We travel on a budget but we don’t skimp on food. We love eating as much as anybody else. (Photo by Hali)

2. Meet new friends

I often hear about people who would like to travel but don’t have anyone to go with. Well, voluntourism helps in that area. You can join a voluntourism event, granted that it’s open to public, without knowing any of the other volunteers and come home with a new set of long-term friends and travel companions.

Alon ng Pag-asa volunteers in Sorsogon
Meet friends and travel buddies. (Photo by Hali)

What I particularly like about volunteers I’ve worked with is that they are often good-hearted people and some of the most generous individuals I know, regardless of what amount they are earning on their day jobs. I’ve been on trips with people from all walks of life, and from what I’ve noticed, those who give are not the ones who have much but those who knew what it’s like to have so little.

You know you’re never in wrong company with this kind of people.

3. See the world in a different light

As they say, tourists and travelers are different species. During our normal vacations, we visit popular tourist attractions and never find out what life is like for the locals. In contrast, going on a voluntourism trip will let you sink into the culture of the place you’re visiting, at least for a day, and experience or observe first-hand the life outside the comforts of urban community.

Kids in outreach in Barangay Caob, Siargao
One of the benefits of being a volunteer — seeing kids’ happy. Taken in outreach event in Siargao. (Photo credit to Hali)
School children in Siargao outreach
Kids are dressed up during our outreach in Siargao. (Photo by Hali)

Going back in our Siargao outreach… When I told my friends about our outreach event here most of them wondered out loud why we would choose a location that’s frequented by middle-class tourists and foreigners. I explained that not all locals benefit from the tourism and are in fact affected by the increased price of consumer goods brought about by it. In fact, when we were giving out school supplies, some children couldn’t make it to the location because they live in separate islands.

Seeing the world outside of your comfort zone will give you a different perspective on life and, I daresay, help you develop a better personality.

I guarantee you’ll never travel the same way again.

Starting your journey in voluntourism in the Philippines

When people see my photos taken from voluntourism trips, they always tell me they would like to join sometime in the future. Here’s what I have to say about that.

Although fun, voluntourism is by no means a game play. On the contrary, it is a serious commitment.

As with other volunteers, joining one means you are prepared to allot time and resources. You are expected to help with the solicitation and fundraising, pick up donations from donors when able and help with the preparation or packing of donations before transport. During the event, each volunteer is given a role: you can be in the food committee, games committee or registration or assume the role of emcee. We also have photographers to document our events.

Volunteers in outreach in Sorsogon
One of the fun roles in outreach events: assisting kids during games. (Photo credit to Hali Navarro)
Voluntourism work in Siargao
Yes, you have to prepare to do physical labor as well. :p (Photo by Hali)

In the end, it’s a win-win situation. You can give back to the community, and you also benefit from doing so by being able to travel with friends on a cheaper budget and, if luck permits, see off-the-beaten attractions as well.

You can also be part of a voluntourism event not just by being a volunteer but also by donating. Even small amounts, such as P200 or P500, or items such as boxes of pencils or crayons can go a long way. If the target beneficiaries are victims of a recent calamity we also ask for basic supplies and new or slightly used clothes. Remember that these events are organized by ordinary people, so support is vital in being able to provide donations.

Where should you look for voluntourism events? Well, they are literally everywhere in the Internet. Join travel or volunteer groups in Facebook or forums. For starters, you can check the Facebook page of Volunteer Opportunities – Philippines. Or better yet, you can ask your friends if anyone is interested to organize one for your next get-away.

You can also check out our group Alon ng Pag-asa. We are open for volunteers and continually looking for kind-hearted individuals to provide supplies in our missions or help out in scouting for new beneficiaries and planning our itineraries.

(Update 2020: We are no longer active in this group, as we’re quite busy with our personal commitments. However, you may still get in touch with them for voluntourism events.)

Here’s a video from our very first outreach in Jomalig Island.

If you’re looking for opportunities abroad, there are online websites such as WWOOF which links volunteers to organic farmers and growers.

P.S. Voluntourism is a complex subject. As above, I recommend starting in your local backyard first. If you plan on being a volunteer abroad, it’s best to do your research first and analyze the possible impacts of your voluntourism trip.

What do you think about voluntourism? Please share if you have any experience joining a voluntourism event here in the Philippines!

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29 Comments

  • Jaqui

    Hi, I’m looking for a volunteering work on my visit to Siargao, Dec 29-Jan 4. I would love to join you if you have coming activities in the said dates. Thank you.

    • Katherine Cortes

      Hi Jaqui. We’re not active at the moment. Better check FB groups like Voluntourism Opportunities – Philippines.

  • Silva

    This is interesting! I was surfing the net for any thesis topic proposals and I might consider doing a research for this.

  • Louisa Mercado (@2livelovelaugh5)

    It’s the first I’ve heard of voluntourism. What a great way to travel and help others. This looks like a worthy endeavor and I hope to be able to join one someday soon.

  • Postcard Pretty

    Wow! I would like to take part of this kind of traveling! I’ve heard of it, but haven’t found a group I can voluntour with. Is voluntourism also child-friendly? I’d like to take my child with me, to get him exposed to these kinds of experiences!

    • Kat

      Yes! 🙂 We have a regular child volunteer. He helps out in handing out donations, especially toys.

      We’d like to know about it beforehand so we can factor it in when preparing the itinerary.

  • Micah Elah Dela Cruz

    I love reading your blog, Ms. Kath! I would like to commend that your blog is my favorite one to read about travelling. It really inspires me to travel around the Philippines. I’ve been to medical-dental, feeding program through our church but this voluntourism is a new one since you get the benefit also of seeing the wonders of our nature. Hope I’ll be able to join you guys soon and will meet you both. God bless!

    • Kat

      Thanks Micah! I’m happy we’re able to inspire people to travel and help others at the same time. Hope to see you sometime in one of our events. 🙂

  • Rhoda Fajardo

    Voluntourism? What an interesting concept. It’s like AirBnb or Uber for people looking to travel and help others. This is a great opportunity for seeing new places and actually make a difference in the world. =)

  • Maaya Legaspi (@ayawillgoplaces)

    Ive been wanting to volunteer for travel!! But couldnt find one. Thank you very much for this post. Hehe. This is helpful for me. For travellers like me who’s always broke (lol), this is something that not only helps but also a way of seeing things in a different perspective. Its a win win situation because not only you get to help the locals but also a memory to look back for the traveller. 🙂

  • Pie Tan

    I have seen and read few articles as well from some experienced travel bloggers around the world volunteering in order for them to finance and get support for their travel needs.

    What I admire in this voluntourism idea is that you get to help local people in some remote areas and able to travel as well on a budget.

    Would like to join sometime hopefully.

    • Kat

      Hi Pie, when we’re given donations in cash we only use the money to buy school supplies, groceries and other goods to be given to beneficiaries. We don’t use it to finance our travels as you say. Travel expenses such as commute fare and accommodations are shouldered by volunteers. I understand that voluntourism works differently in other countries. 🙂

  • DavidTofie

    I would enjoy voluntourism and excited to travel somewhere. I love how wll you explained the whole idea. Thanks for the info 🙂

  • ROBERT LEE

    I like the idea. I have seen couple of blogs talking about how they went to give a little to the small community in a destination, but never mentioned ‘voluntourism’. I will be looking forward to reading more about how this is done in the future, so please post more.

    • Kat

      Yes, I think the term is more commonly used abroad. Here in the Philippines it’s just “outreach.”

  • yogoandcream

    Voluntourism is great! Tried this before in Marinduque and more than the tour itself, I didn’t only get to help, but I’m also happy to be more physically healthy, be connected to a community and experience a sense of fulfillment. I hope I can do it again. Thanks for sharing this new travel trend 🙂

  • R U S S

    I would definitely consider joining Voluntourism. I know it will be something new and different at the same time, but I’m certain that there is a lot of fulfillment in it. I would also like to help our kababayans in need. I joined the group, liked the page, and hopefully I get to meet you guys soon.

    • Kat

      Hi sis tomatostellar, we post our activities in Facebook page though every now and then I also advertise in forums. Response is minimal in the latter though, so we tend to promote/ask for donations within our circles or through Facebook groups. Just send me a message if you want to join sometime. 😉

    • Kat

      That’s good to hear Jane! You can subscribe to our page in Facebook to get updates on our events. So far we have created event pages for outreach activities in Catanduanes and Iloilo. There are also other events organized by other travelers, see Volunteer Opportunities – PH. 🙂

    • Kat

      Hi sis, yes it’s fun! Especially seeing that we’re bringing smiles to local kids or being able to give slippers to those walking around barefoot. Hope you can come back for a vacation and maybe join us in the future. 🙂

  • Shayne Zalameda

    I also do volounteering! My first was in Aklan Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. It was such a joy to do both while away from home. 🙂

    • Kat

      Ooh that’s nice and I guess a little bit intimidating for someone who doesn’t know much about animal care haha. Good for you sis! 🙂

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