After living in Manila for two years, I was looking for a new challenge or experience to give myself purpose. I was in the position that I may not have again, where I had free time to do something meaningful and give back to the place I had been calling home. When I saw there was a program in Palawan, not too far from Manila, I saw it as a perfect opportunity.
Alumni Spotlight: Hannah Josie Thomas
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Josie, 28, is from the UK, currently living in Manila, Philippines.
Why did you choose this program?
What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
IVHQ made the application process easy and straight forward. Probably unlike a lot of people, my decision to volunteer was spontaneous and fast moving. I applied in June ready to go at the beginning of August, but the information and advice was clear from the start. The program provider offered to assist with flights, insurance, etc., but as I was already living in the Philippines, this was easy to arrange myself. They responded quickly to any questions I had.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Go with an open mind and a positive attitude. I once read a quote that said, “The difference between an adventure and an ordeal is your attitude”, and I think this is the most relevant piece of advice I can give. The culture may be different to what you are used to; the way of living, accommodation, and food will most definitely be different. If you don't embrace the change, you will lose out on the adventures.
The experience as a whole is invaluable and life changing. Some people go with a clear reason or purpose of what they want to accomplish – I didn't – but at the end of the program, I knew that whatever it was I came for, I had definitely found it.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
I was a volunteer on the construction and renovation project. The average week was Monday – Friday volunteering; a few hours in the morning after breakfast, a break for lunch, and then a few hours after lunch. The day ends around 3 PM.
Renovation and construction projects can differ. When I volunteered, we were building a walkway and a septic tank. It was a lot of physical labor in the hot sun, but I learnt a lot of new skills, and it was worth it to see a finished outcome. The weekends are free for volunteers to explore the local areas or travel to different islands in the Philippines.
The Philippines has endless things to offer, and there are always like-minded people on the program who are there as travel buddies and friends.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
I had lots of fears before leaving; probably more that I had overthought that were totally unnecessary. Would I be older than everyone else on their gap years? Who would I share a room with? Would I be able to eat as a vegetarian? Would I be strong enough to do construction? The only girl? All of it was unnecessary!
As soon as I arrived, everyone was so welcoming. The stories you hear from people all over the world are eye-opening. The food was catered for everyone, and I never went hungry. The girls I shared a room with were amazing, and we all felt the same.
The volunteering was for every ability, and you will never know what you can do unless you just try. As for the age thing... yes, I happened to be the oldest one there at the time, but it made absolutely no difference. Age is just a number, and not one person had the same story. You can only overcome your fears by giving it a chance. Take it day by day.