Volunteer for the Visayans

In 2012 I had the privilege of travelling to Tacloban in the Philippines. I volunteered with a charity called Volunteer for the Visyans. As part of my role I facilitated art and play therapy programs with children and youth who had been rescued from human trafficking and abuse situations. Volunteer for the Visyans provides a range of projects to Tacloban including; dumpsite project, medical mission, community feeding and child sponsorship. In 2013 the city was largely destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan. Tacloban and still requires on going financial support. I will never forget visiting the dump site project and witnessing children work, live, play and eat from the rubbish. Volunteer for the Visayans  has a vision "That one day soon, there will not be a single child laboring at the dumpsite; that all of the children will be in good health – physically and emotionally; and that all of the children will all do well in school. These are the changes that need to happen to prevent the children from being the next generation in the cycle of poverty." - See more at:http://www.visayans.org/community-center/dumpsite-project#sthash.e4DaGrhI.dpuf.

During my stay in the Philippines I travelled to a youth remand centre. Despite being held behind bars, these young men smiled, laughed and posed for photos. They appeared to have formed strong friendships and were very welcoming to volunteer staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our local Tuk tuk driver