Here’s a fulfilling activity you can do during the holidays: take the first step in the journey of volunteering. It’s always a good idea to spread love and kindness—it is the season of giving, after all.
These are six NGOs with volunteer opportunities this Christmas:
6. Girls Got Game PH
Girls Got Game PH aims to empower young Filipinas in difficult economic conditions with important life lessons through sports camps. Founded in Manila, and run by passionate ex-athletes, the camp aims to equip pre-teen girls with an athlete’s mind and body to help them rise out of their current situations.
What:
Christmas with Girls Got Game at Smokey Mountain, Tondo
When:
December 10-11, 8AM to 5PM
How you can help:
Join their sports camp this December!
They need female volunteers (experience in sports is a plus!) for the following roles: team captain, coach, and logistics
1. TEAM CAPTAIN
Time Expectation: Your attendance is mandatory for one full Saturday of GGG Overview, Team Lead Orientation, and GGG Camp Dry Run; and both days of the GGG Camp you have signed up for.
Skills Expectation:
- Can lead a group of 10-12 year old girls
- Innately caring and Ate-like
- Can speak fluent Tagalog, and can communicate clearly
- Background experience in a sport is not a requirement, but would definitely be great!
Time Expectation: Your attendance is mandatory for one full Saturday of GGG Overview, Coaches Orientation, and GGG Camp Dry Run; and the GGG Camp day that we are teaching your sport. Your attendance is optional but highly encouraged for the other GGG Camp days.
Skills Expectation:
- Experience playing the sport on at least high school level
- Can lead a group of 10-12 year old girls
- Can speak fluent Tagalog, and can communicate clearly
- Coaching experience is not mandatory, but would be awesome!
Job Description: Your job is to make sure all logistical needs are prepared and ready for the best possible camp experience. This includes everything from setting up banners to making sure our Gatorade is cold.
Time Expectation: Your attendance is mandatory for one full day of GGG Overview and GGG Camp Dry Run; and both days of the GGG Camp that you have signed up for.
Skills Expectation:
- Very organized and efficient
- Can think on your toes to solve problems
- Can anticipate the needs of others
- Can (preferably) lift heavy object
If you’re interested to volunteer, visit their official page at www.facebook.com/girlsgotgameph
5. CANCERvants PH
CANCERvants PH’s mission is to engage the Filipino youth by making use of their talents to create meaningful action and to render service to uplift the burden of their fellow youth who are currently battling against cancer. CANCERvants unite to become a think-tank of fund-raising projects to help subsidize cancer patients’ medical expenses such as purchase of cancer drugs for their chemotherapy, oxygen tank rental, laboratory test fees, and hospital fees.
Cancervants’ Pay Ink Forward initiative, where artists unite to raise funds for young cancer patients
What:
Christmas Thanksgiving Party at the National Children’s Hospital
When:
December 17, 10AM
How you can help:
Volunteer for their Christmas Thanksgiving Party and/or give the following donations:
- Hygiene materials
- Toiletries
- Unisex toys
- Groceries,
- Blankets and pillows
- Coloring materials
- Balloons
- Distilled water supply
- Utensils
If you’re interested to volunteer or donate, contact them over at facebook.com/CancervantsPH
4. Young Focus
Young Focus is a non-government organization that works towards making education accessible to the poorest children in the Philippines. Their main area of operations is in the Smokey Mountain communities of Tondo Manila. Their mission is to give underprivileged children the chance to develop themselves mentally, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually by means of education and personal coaching.
What:
Giving Food Packages to Families this Christmas
How you can help:
Pledge a Christmas food package at PHP 550 each
If you’re interested to pledge, please visit youngfocus.org/christmas.
3. Gawad Kalinga
Gawad Kalinga began with a simple desire to give care and leave no one behind. Its mission is to end poverty for 5 million poor families by the year 2024. The non-government organization was formally established in 2003, but the work began as early as 1994 in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, the biggest squatters relocation site in Metro Manila. Since then it has expanded its work to over 2,000 organized communities. It is also in the forefront of peace-building work in conflict areas in Mindanao and reconstruction work in post-disaster communities.
What:
Sponsor a Noche Buena
How you can help:
Sponsor a family by pledging a noche buena worth PHP 550 and/or donate gifts for children
If you’re interested to pledge a noche buena or to donate gifts, please visit gk1world.com/seasonofcaring.
2. Teach For The Philippines
Teach for the Philippines is a non-profit social enterprise that recruits, selects, and trains the most promising young Filipino leaders to teach for two years inside public schools as Teacher Fellows. In their experience, after their two years, their Teacher Fellows are themselves transformed and become lifelong advocates for education reform. With over 60% of their program Alumni continuing to work in education and public service, they enthusiastically believe that their efforts will result in systems transformation and long-term change.
Disclaimer: This Christmas activity is an initiative by Teacher Kristine Joy Nuyda of Teach For The Philippines, and not by the organization itself.
What:
Christmas Party with public school students!
How you can help:
- Donate 48 pcs of any school materials (via LBC)
- Sponsor a kid by donating Php. 200 (via BPI, etc)
- If you’re around CDO, you could also join them at their Christmas party (date to follow)
If you’re interested in pledging school materials, contact Teacher Tin at 0918 462 7181
1. Tahanan Sta. Luisa
Tahanan Sta. Luisa is a crisis intervention and recovery center whose mission is to provide rehabilitation for physically/sexually abused and prostituted street girls between the ages of 11–15 years old. They provide residential care for street girls during these formative years, assisting the girls in their journey through their social, physical, and emotional development and growth, while also supporting them to overcome the traumatic negative experiences of their past.
Tahanan Sta. Luisa is an NGO very close to my heart. Photo by Bria Cardenas.
What:
Christmas Family Day with the girls of Tahanan Sta. Luisa
When:
December 22, 2016, 11AM
Where:
Tahanan Sta. Luisa, InC., Block 4 North Carolina St., Hinapao, San Jose, Antipolo City
How you can help:
Volunteer for their Christmas Family Day and/or pledge the following donations:
- Rice
- Canned food
- School supplies (school bags, bond paper, notebooks, books, dictionaries, pens)
- Clothing (tops, shorts, underwear, etc.)
- Household materials (pillows, electric fans, basins, dining wares, etc.)
- Medical supply
- Toiletries (sanitary napkins, tawas, toothpaste, etc.)
- Sports and recreational materials (basketball, volleyball, badminton, board games, musical instruments, etc.)
If you’re interested to volunteer or donate, please contact Ms. Anna at 0977 817 5669
Do you know of more NGOs where we can volunteer this Christmas? Share your list with us!
