• Why do I choose Philippines?
• Is Philippines safe?
• What is the program duration?
• What age do I have to be a volunteer?
• Do I have to speak a foreign language?
• Why should I pay for registration fee?
• Are Master, Visa and other cards accepted?
• What is the local currency?
• Who organizes my flights?
• Do I need travel insurance?
• What Should I bring for myself?
• What should I bring for kids in project?
• Will there be any volunteers present during orientation time?
• Will there be other volunteers at my placement?
• What is the daily routine of the project?
• What are the existing conditions of my placement?
• Will there be someone to pick me up from airport?
• What happens, if I want to arrive earlier than the program begins?
• Will I have time to explore Tacloban and other Philippine cities during my language?
• How much extra money do I need?
• Will I have communications access?
• Can I bring my cell phone from my home country?
• Can I accompany with other volunteers?
• Is it possible to change placement if I get dissatisfied?
• What happens if I decide to return home before the placement is over?
• Who will drop me off at the airport?
• Vaccinations and Medication
• Are Asia Horizon programs only for International volunteers?
• Visa
• Where is the arrival and departure point?  
• Clothes and Climate in Placement Areas
• Emergency Contact
• What are the characteristics of good volunteer?

Why do I choose Philippines?

Philippines offers unique taste of culture, vivid picture of Filipino life and exotic sights of beaches and countryside for visitors. Asia Horizon offers you the chance to experience life in a beautiful, culturally and geographically rich country along with making a difference in lives of those Filipinos who do not have the access to education, health care and basic needs.
Is Philippines safe?
Asia Horizon always ensures participants to place in safe environments while volunteering in Philippines. Philippines is a safe country except few areas in the south. However, you should be careful if traveling on buses, as petty theft is common and be suspicious of unknown people offering tours, offers, or any other deals. In addition, be cautious with your possessions, especially cash and cameras, and as always, take extra care in remote areas. Please consult your own government on latest safety issues before participating in our program.

What is the program duration?
Our volunteer program starts on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month run throughout the year for a period of 2-12 week. Because of the increasing volume of applications, participants are requested to apply at least two-three months in advance.
What age do I have to be a volunteer?
You must be at least 18 years old to be a volunteer and you should be in good health; there is no upper limit.
Do I have to speak a foreign language?
Filipino and English are both the official languages in Philippines. Volunteers on our short-term (2-3 week programs) do not need foreign language skills. Those volunteers interested in participating on one of our long-term programs need to have intermediate language abilities in the spoken language of the program country. Orientation will include an intensive introduction to Filipino language.
Why should I pay for registration fee?
The registration fee is required to run the organization (office space, computers, Internet, supplies and Staffs). Asia Horizon has country office in Philippines and international office in USA to run the coordinated program. Part of the fee goes to maintaining these offices. The remaining money of the program directly goes to support the programs.
Are Master, Visa and other cards accepted?
There are several banks and money exchange services. You can bring Master card, American Express, Visa card, cash $/ Euro or travelers checks, these all are acceptedin the main cities. However, facilities may be limited outside major cities. Traveler's checks may also be difficult to exchange in small towns and villages. You also can withdraw cash from most international banks from ATM machines, but $2-4 USD surcharges apply for each transaction.
What is the local currency?
Peso is the official currency of Philippines.
Who organizes my flights?
You will have to arrange your flights to and from Philippines since you are not charged for airfare.

Do I need travel insurance?

Our program does not cover liability and insurance for our volunteers. Therefore, volunteers must have appropriate insurance before joining the program. Please obtain necessary health and travel insurance before coming to Philippines. Talk to your travel agent about this or search on the internet to see what offers are available, and make sure you look into the details of the policy. Find out if it covers airfare in case of a medical emergency

What Should I bring for myself?

This will vary depending on what activities you want to participate in and how much you need to be comfortable during your placement. With the exception of medicine and first-aid-kit, you can buy everything that you would need for your placement in Philippines. Here are a few suggestions:

• Sleeping Bag 
• Mosquito repellent 
• Sun cream 
• Water purification tablets and/or good quality water purifier 
• First aid kit  
• Flashlight (torch)  
• Penknife  
• Books about your country 
• Photos of your family / friends / home
• A few examples of your local currency 
• Colored pencils and pens, drawing books, stickers 

What should I bring for kids in project?
It is not obligation to bring gift for project but they would appreciate, if you bring any gifts. You could bring gifts like toys, books, chocolate, pencil etc.
Will there be any volunteers present during orientation time?
We receive 5-10 volunteers a month (depending on season) most long-term volunteers join the language and culture program. We offer language and culture program in fixed dates to make a small group. Usually there are between 3 and 7 volunteers at the orientation.
Will there be other volunteers at my placement?
This depends on the exact placement and your preference in this issue. If you want to stay with other volunteers, pleases inform us in advance.
What is the daily routine of the project?
Since we have been working in different projects in Philippines, the schedule of the project varies from one another. Most projects are from Monday to Friday for 20-30 hours a week. Volunteers will have the weekends off and can explore Philippines on their own.
What are the existing conditions of my placement?
You are provided with food and accommodations; your volunteer program fee covers them. During the training, you will stay at our hostel with other volunteers. We offer food and accommodation from the first day of the program to the last day. Local food twice a day is provided for you while training and volunteering. You are advised to buy your own bottled water once you arrive in Philippines. For the volunteers who arrive earlier or who want to stay longer, it is not possible to offer accommodations and food, but we will help volunteers to find a quality, inexpensive place to stay.
The living conditions of the placement depend on the area. A shower with hot & cold water is usually installed in the bathroom. You will be placed within a family setting with your own room.
Will there be someone to pick me up from airport?
One of our representatives will be waiting for you at the airport terminal. He will be holding a sign with your name on it. Please do not forget to send your detailed flight itinerary in advance.
What happens, if I want to arrive earlier than the program begins?
You can arrive several days earlier or even up to a week early for your project, however, you will be responsible for these arrangements (including accommodations and food), and must still meet the Coordinator at the airport on the designated date.
Will I have time to explore Tacloban and other Philippine cities during my stay?
You will have plenty of time to explore Tacloban during orientation. As a part of the language program, we offer full day tour.  You will also have weekends off and can explore the places on your own.
How much extra money do I need?
We manage food and accommodation for volunteers from the first to last day of program so there will be no need of more money. It depends on how much you want to expend. You may need some extra money if you plan to take part in activities outside the organization or if you just want to buy some souvenirs. You must also remember the VISA extension fee up to 59 days for P3500. 
Will I have communications access?
Internet cafés, telephone booths and post offices are easily available in Tacloban and most localities around the project where you will be placed.
Can I bring my cell phone from my home country?
Please consult with your cell phone provider to make sure that your phone will work while you are in the Philippines.
Can I accompany with other volunteers?
We allow people to come with a friend or even in a large group. We can place any volunteer near to another volunteer already working in the field. Please be reminded that two different genders of volunteers are not allowed to stay in same house unless they are a married couple. In this case, it is better to arrange a private apartment so that you will have complete freedom.
Is it possible to change placement if I get dissatisfied?
Asia Horizon will consider request of volunteer seriously for the change of placement to meet the expectation of volunteers. We cannot change placement frequently without genuine reasons.
What happens if I decide to return home before the placement is over?
Once the volunteer makes a decision and pays for the program fee, upon receipt of invoice, Asia Horizon does not refund any program fee under any circumstances. Nevertheless, if the volunteer have unavoidable circumstances (such as illness, death of in the family etc) may request to leave the program, we will consider to return 30% of the host family cost, if volunteers are registered for more than 30 days program. No refund will be made if program is less than 30 days and if volunteers leave program in their own decision.
Who will drop me off at the airport?
Asia Horizon does not offer airport drop service. You will need to arrange a taxi or bus ride to the airport after your project is finished. This is an easy process and our in-country coordinator in Philippines or your home stay family will assist you.
Vaccinations and Medication
No vaccinations are required for entrance into Philippines, however, you should consider the following vaccinations:
• Hepatitis A & B
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Rabies
• Malaria tablets
•Typhoid

Are Asia Horizon programs only for International volunteers?

We mobilize national volunteers along with international volunteer as their counterparts.
Visa
No visa is required if you are staying less than 21 days. If you need longer period, contact your Filipino embassy to obtain a visa. If you decide to lengthen your stay, you can easily extend the visa for up to 59 days for P3500. After the 59 days, you may extend your visa again for a smaller fee.
Please remember that it is the volunteer's own responsibility to manage their individual tickets and visa. We suggest volunteers to acquire visa in their home country to avoid any redundant disturbances at the airport.
Where is the arrival and departure point?
As our national office is located near Tacloban, you are requested to make your final destination to Tacloban domestic airport.  Our representative will meet you at the airport. Your departure will be from the same airport.
Clothes and Climate in Placement Areas
Volunteers should dress conservatively when at their projects. Jeans and a t-shirt are acceptable. No high shorts and tank tops please. We suggest female volunteers not to wear short skirts in villages. Filipinos dress modestly. Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended as well as warmer clothing for the evenings (light jacket / sweaters). A solid pair of walking shoes is highly recommended for trekking.
The weather in Tacloban is better than many surrounding cities, because it is luckily protected from the monsoons by mountains to its north and south. The weather is generally the same for much of the year, with humidity, warm temperatures, and rain.
Emergency Contact
You have three parties available to you 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise: Asia Horizon staff, your host family, and your program supervisor. You will have contact information for all three before you arrive.
What are the characteristics of good volunteer?
If you have attributes like Independence, Patience, Sense of humor, Tolerance Willingness, Flexibility, Self-motivation and Open-mindedness, you get the most out of your stay in Philippines.