Location
  • Philippines
Length
1 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Lodge
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
380
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $380 for 1 week - this includes accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
May 01, 2024
Jan 06, 2025
52 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Philippines and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Philippines.

Our affordable projects start from $26/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-24 weeks. Choose from 4 projects, ranging from Teaching, Kindergarten and Environmental in Palawan, an archipelagic province. Plus, you’ll stay with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Cheapest volunteer programs from $26/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 1-24 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays.
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization.
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy.
  • Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Construction & Renovation Volunteer in the Philippines

Transform schools, daycare centers, and medical facilities in the Philippines with IVHQ's Construction and Renovation volunteer project in Palawan. Help with renovations, restoration, painting, and carpentry to create functional and beautiful spaces for under-resourced communities.

Environmental Conservation Volunteer in the Philippines

Protect Palawan’s pristine natural environment as an Environmental volunteer! Rehabilitate mangroves, clean up beaches, and promote eco-education in local schools. Make a meaningful impact on the local marine and bird life by restoring vital habitats and protecting the shoreline.

Kindergarten Volunteer in the Philippines

Help provide quality education to under-resourced kindergartens in the Philippines as a volunteer. Follow the government curriculum in an exciting way, with an essential focus on fun. Volunteers can also conduct special classes during holiday periods, providing an opportunity to be creative and flexible.

Program Reviews

4.88 Rating
based on 60 reviews
  • 5 rating 91.67%
  • 4 rating 6.67%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 1.67%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.65
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.8
  • Value 4.65
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 60 reviews
Default avatar
Lindsey Isabella
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Rewarding Volunteer Experience in the Philippines: Challenges and Growth

I recently had the privilege of joining a teaching volunteer program in the Philippines, and it was truly a life-changing experience. From the moment I arrived, I felt warmly welcomed by the local team, who went above and beyond to provide support, not only for lesson planning but also for cultural immersion and weekend trips to explore the local area.

Teaching elementary students was both challenging and rewarding. The children were eager to learn and full of energy, making every moment in the classroom a joy. I especially loved the creative freedom I had to design lessons that were engaging and fun. The sense of accomplishment I felt when students grasped new concepts was unmatched.

That said, it’s important to note that the accommodation is very rural and secluded, with not much going on in the immediate area. This can be both a blessing and a challenge. I recommend bringing a laptop, books, or card games to keep yourself entertained during downtime. Joining in with others and making your own fun can make the experience more enjoyable.

The program also gave me the opportunity to experience Filipino culture firsthand. From practicing Tagalog with the locals to trying traditional dishes and celebrating community events, I truly felt immersed in the vibrant culture. The kindness and hospitality of the Filipino people made the entire experience unforgettable.

Overall, despite the rural location, this volunteer program exceeded all my expectations. Not only did it allow me to make a positive impact on the community, but it also helped me grow as a person by teaching me resilience, adaptability, and the value of meaningful connections. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a fulfilling and enriching volunteer experience.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-wracking moment for me was teaching and stepping out of my comfort zone to socialize, especially as someone with social anxiety. The thought of standing in front of a class and interacting with so many new people was overwhelming at first. However, I realized that the only way to move forward was to stop overthinking and just take things one step at a time. By focusing on the task at hand and reminding myself of my purpose, I was able to push through the discomfort. Each interaction became easier, and by the end of it, I felt more confident and proud of myself for facing my fears.
Pros
  • Meaningful cultural immersion and connection with the local community.
  • Rewarding experience teaching eager and enthusiastic students.
  • Supportive local team that helps with lesson planning and cultural activities.
Cons
  • Rural and secluded accommodation with limited entertainment options.
  • Requires personal initiative to stay engaged during downtime.
1 person found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alessandra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Palawan, Philippines Volunteering w/ IVHQ

My experience with IVHQ in Palawan, Philippines was nothing short of amazing. Through completing the environmental program with the local team I truly felt that I made a positive impact, whilst also being able to connect with the fellow volunteers and locals in the area. Throughout the process, everyone was very friendly and helpful, from my program manager to the local team in Palawan. Additionally, the process went smoothly and the accommodation/meals provided/daily timetable was exactly like what it stated on the IVHQ website. I would say that this experience was worth every penny and I am looking forward to applying for another volunteer program with IVHQ.

What was your funniest moment?
Dancing/playing sports with the little kids during Christmas gift giving
Pros
  • Local team is very friendly and helpful.
  • Everything (accommodation, activities, daily timetable) is exactly like it is stated in the website.
  • The program (I did environment) felt very impactful.
2 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching in the Philippines

I went to the Philippines to volunteer to teach kids in a local school and it was one of the best experiences. It was an amazing experience to be a part of and I met some great people along the way. The team was supportive once I arrived and guided us through everything, from the airport pickup to creating our teaching programs. Would highly recommend going for even one week just to experience the local life and culture. You'll definitely make some amazing memories and meet interesting people from all over the world.

What was your funniest moment?
Definitely the karaoke night - which is held every Thursday. After a few rounds of local beer, everyone put on a great show.
Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Experiencing local culture
  • Making a positive impact
4 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Flavia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

incredible place

The program I chose gave me personal gratification and the opportunity to see the impact I was having on short weeks. The local team was friendly, open, and honest, always willing to make the volunteers happy. I would recommend being ready to go outside your comfort zone; everything will be new: the food, the places you will stay, the environment and the people. But from my experience, everything will be great if you keep your heart open to new things. The people are super friendly and willing to teach you about their culture. You will end up leaving feeling like a different person than before.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would've stayed for a more extended time. Not only did I bond with the kids, and I was sad to leave, but I felt like I could've done more with more time.
Pros
  • small community - you get used to it quite easily
  • great local team - super friendly
  • karaoke night - were able to let loose and bond with everyone
Cons
  • more variety with the activities to do
  • more traditional foods (less pasta)
  • bad connection - be ready to have a technology cleanse
17 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Darren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IVHQ - Philippines

Volunteering with IVHQ, and working with the Local Team was the one of most valuable and worthwhile experiences I've ever encountered for my first time travelling abroad independently. When you put this into perspective, you realize that you achieved something that actually mattered, compared to travelling only for the sake of being a tourist. The simple fact that you contributed something to the local community, learn't new things, made a difference, formed new friendships with the staff and fellow volunteers alike is something that you will remember and carry with you throughout your life. You will have stories to share with your friends and family and they will also notice a change in you; that you seem to be a new person with a more mature outlook on life after seeing and experiencing another part of the world completely different to your own. Volunteering abroad is an experience that I would definately recommend!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I did this all over again, I would extend my stay, and book a program at least 2-4 weeks.
Pros
  • Great friendships
  • Best food I've tasted
  • Time for leisure and exploration
Cons
  • Didn't book long enough (1 week)
  • Mosquitos
  • Power outage due to storm event
18 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Costanza
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering in Tigman Village

The house was clean and the food safe and tasty. The staff was very competent and available. The daily routine we had to follow was tough but stimulating and we still had time to rest. The kids were so cute and we built a really strong bond with them. Also the other volunteers were very dedicated to making a difference. The Philippines landscape is incredible: it has an amazing flora and fauna. The locals were nice and helpful. We felt really safe going to and coming back from school. I really enjoyed attending local events too!

What would you improve about this program?
I would add more social activities and afternoon trips. Since we were in a small village, there wasn’t much to do after school and at night.
Pros
  • landscape
  • kids
  • food
Cons
  • isolation
  • heat
  • humidity
25 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Shreya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Philippines experience

I cannot put into words how much this programme has changed my life, it has shown me how much power my words and actions hold while allowing me to experience a completely different and beautiful culture to my own, engaging thoroughly in the language, the festivals and the food. The local team were so warm and welcoming from my first day, and were always there to help me and the other volunteers. I wish that everyone had the chance to take part in this amazing opportunity, since it left me a changed person, giving me a physical representation of the difference I can make from such a young age!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve-racking moment was definitely my first day teaching the kids, I was unsure if they would accept me
or even like me and listen to me, but truthfully I just took a breathe and tried my best, getting the class to actively engage in the lesson and trying to make them laugh, I just had to remind myself that “all is well…” My class was truly a group of the most amazing children I’ve ever met and I was quick to develop a deep emotional connection with each of them!
Pros
  • Immersing yourself in a new culture
  • Spending time with the kids
  • Discovering who you are as a person
24 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eliane
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AMAZING EXPERIENCE

AMAZING EXPERIENCE ! I was so lucky to have the opportunity to go to the Philippines and spend time with the community. I fell in love with all the kids there. I highly recommend everyone to do this at least once in your life. I am 34 years old and I wish I did that when I was younger ! I will do it again for sure.
The guidance that IVHQ brought me was also very useful, I always felt safe and never alone ! I highly recommend to go to the Philippines but I’m sure all the programs are great ! Try it, you’ll see !

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Just be open ! Don’t overthink and go.
You’ll be destabilized but it’s the point. You won’t live like you’re used to but you will be safe and have everything you need (and more). The team and support is just amazing !
Pros
  • Food
  • Community
  • Kids
Cons
  • Nada
27 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Hi Jose, Volunteers are required to pay for their own flights. We know that flights can be one of your biggest costs when preparing for a volunteer trip abroad, so to help overcome this we have partnered with STA Travel to create flight itineraries and special offers, especially for IVHQ volunteers. Jordan McFadyen IVHQ Community Manager

It's very safe, the staff take good care of you. Also, what you do on the weekend is completely up to you. There's so many options.

The area is really safe. The northern part of Palawan is actually a known place of peace in the Philippines and the crime rates are really low. The village that this program takes place in is very small and wonderful but traveling around the island is also safe.