Volunteering is not only a way to spruce up your resume; it is also a productive way for you and your friends to give back to the community.
Whether you are a student with too much time on your hands or someone from the working class, who is tired of the same routine every day, volunteer work could be what you’re looking for.
Organizations all over Cebu are looking for people with talent and time to spare. All it takes is the heart to want to make this city a better place to live for Cebuanos.
Ready to volunteer this summer? Here are five worthwhile organizations to consider:
Rise Above Foundation Cebu
Since November 2000, Rise Above Foundation Cebu has been a non-profit organization that helps improve the quality of life for the underprivileged members of society by providing educational opportunities, livelihood training, and health and hygiene programs. The foundation accepts applications for volunteers all-year round.
There are several volunteering opportunities in Rise Above Foundation Cebu. These include teaching kids, office work, and media engagement. Volunteers are encouraged to share their own skills and knowledge to the community. All you have to do is let them know you’re interested through a Facebook message, and attend an orientation before you will go about your task.
Basadours, Inc.
The Basadours is a community of volunteer ambassadors whose work is to encourage and inspire literacy development through reading and storytelling. They also advocate to educate parents and the community on child protection rights. Their aim is to sow different seeds of kindness, respect, cleanliness, patriotism, honesty, humility, happiness, and all these virtues that are packaged in the stories that are read to children.
Before being recruited, volunteers must undergo a training which includes talks about the history of the Basadours, a theory and workshop on storytelling, safeguarding tools, child protection rights, storytelling for children with special needs, and the like. Volunteers can choose what they want to work on during the recruitment phase.
The following are the areas they can volunteer for including storytelling and programs, recruitment and enlistment, public relations and linkages, documentations, budget and finance management, and child protection and safeguarding. You can inquire about volunteer applications through their Facebook page or you can visit the Cebu City Public Library to inquire about them.
The Dream Big Project
The Dream Big Project is a Cebu-based volunteer organization that aims to provide an avenue for active volunteerism in the areas of education, health, environment, and peace & development to make a positive change in the community. The Dream Big Project is planning an outreach in May so they are currently accepting volunteer applications.
With the Civil Relations Group Region 7 (CRG7) and Armed Force of the Philippines, they do an average of five outreach activities every year. There is an orientation for volunteers prior to these outreach activities.
Aside from the distribution of school supplies, they also conduct sessions on the above-mentioned areas to promote the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. While volunteers who are into arts can help painting the mural, others can also help in preparing the food or spend time with kids during the game session.
Island Rescue Organization
Island Rescue Organization, Inc., or commonly known as I.R.O., is a non-profit organization registered with the Securities Exchange Commission. I.R.O. is composed of volunteers dedicated to helping the plight of animals in the region through rescue, education and advocacy. Since February 2010, I.R.O. has promoted responsible pet ownership, and has rescued lonely companion animals.
There is so much you can do for I.R.O.
Volunteers are needed to man the adoption booth they put up every second and last Saturday of the month in Parkmall. More volunteers are also needed in different areas such as fund-raising, rescue team and animal welfare. If you have heart for the lonely animals of Cebu, I.R.O is probably the organization for you.
You can inquire about volunteer applications in their Facebook page, Island Rescue Organization.
Philippine Red Cross Cebu Chapter
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is a humanitarian organization that provides protection and assistance to people affected by disasters and conflicts and is committed to provide avenues for volunteerism all over the Philippines.
After filling out an application form, volunteers will be required to attend the Basic Volunteer Orientation Course (BVOC), which includes the history of the movement, a talk on services of the PRC, and their future involvement. Certificates will be given to volunteers who have passed regular Red Cross trainings. They also have specialized training for long-time volunteers.
There are six different services where volunteers can help namely the safety service, health service, disaster management service, welfare service, social service and Red Cross Youth. Although there are applications online, PRC Cebu Chapter prefers that you visit their office in Osmeña Boulevard to apply to become a volunteer. / celr