Host Family in Subic

I have moved in with my first host family where I will stay until September. They are really wonderful people. I have  12 yr old brother named Ryan and a 14 yr old sister named Eunice. My host mom doesn't work but her husband works in Saudi Arabia doing something with oil. My host mom wants me to call her Ate Belen. 


The area we live is really beautiful because it is in the foothills of the mountains but it rains almost constantly here so there is a lot of flooding. Luckily the Peace Corps bought us all some rain boots. When we walk around the barungay it feels like we are on parade, everyone peeks out of their houses to see the Americans. My blue eyes are especially of interest.


Myhost house has two rooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom with a toilet that flushes! I am getting used to the bucket shower but we do have two faucets that have running water so that's nice. I put a mosquito net up every night before I go to bed because there are a lot here I am also taking malaria pills every Monday. 


The food has been good lots of rice, fish and chicken and my host mom has been giving me peanut butter ever since I told her that's my favorite food.


The hardest thing to get used to has been the rain. It is so loud on the tin roof that we can hardly hear anything when it rains and it sounds like tidal waves are crashing on the roof. This happens every few hours and I often jump awake at night because the sound scares me. There are roosters making noise at all hours, they especially love 5am-6am.


I am writing from an internet cafe just around the corner from my house. There are many other volunteers living close by and some are living with the sisters or brothers of my host mother. It seems like everyone is related one way or another, which is good because I already know lots of people in the community. 

Last Day of Center Based Training

Today was the last day of Center Based Training. CYF sector spent our final day together doing team building activities and affirmations. Tomorrow we will move in with our host families and spend the next 11 weeks in Community Based Training. 

I'm On a Boat

Wednesday night was epic. All of the trainees got together for an intense dance party. We had about 50 people sweating profusely within about five minutes. It was so much fun, we have made a motion for this to be a regular occurrence. Everyone here is so incredibly accepting, even some of the older volunteers were breaking it down.

We started taking our language classes this week. I cannot wait to start using it with the locals. In addition to language we have been meeting within our sector groups learning about the current situation we will face while partnering with NGO’s and social service agencies. So many of their professionals end up working jobs overseas which leaves certain agencies completely over capacity. One agency that serves mentally disabled children has a ratio of 1 staff member for every 100 clients. It’s numbers like these that make me grateful to be here because they obviously have a great need for trained social workers.

My supervisor shared his very personal story of growing up on the streets here, selling plastic bags by age five, looking through the sewer for stray coins and living in a shack with 13 other siblings. He could recall every kind word from social workers who outreached him as a kid and eventually convinced him to come live in a shelter. They gave him hope and made him feel like someone cared so he worked his way through school and when it came time to choose what to study in college he chose social work. Hearing his story made me feel so confirmed in being here and I am so grateful to have this opportunity. He believes the Peace Corps is the best of America we were all very flattered and inspired.

One day after training we took a Jeepney to the mall, and we fit 21 people in it! The mall was a really strange experience. They had KFC, Burger King and most notably Starbucks! So of course I went in and told the baristas that I was from Seattle. It’s weird spending money here because one dollar is 41 pesos so it always feels like you’re spending a ridiculous amount of money but for the most part everything is super cheap. On the way home I couldn’t resist riding in the back of the Jeepney next to the open doorway it was nice to see out but the exhaust was so intense it was making my eyes burn. 

The other night I had a little jam session with one of the other volunteers so the word has gotten out that I'm a singer. There will definitely be more jam sessions to come. 

Today we all piled into buses and drove to the beach for water safety training. We took turns climbing into little boats and jumping into the ocean with our Peace Corps issued life jackets. The best part of hanging out at the beach was getting in on some Filipino karaoke. Some fellow PCV’s and I did “Bye Bye Bye” by N’SYNC and I think there is a 99% it will end up on YouTube because all the locals were holding up the cell phones to film us. One more week here before we move in with our host families for community training. 

Torrential Downpour

Today we were nearly washed away by extreme rains that flooded the grass and forced all the cockroaches and centipedes out of hiding! My roommate and I had to run through the rain to get to our room and we were soaked in just a few minutes. Some of the streets have turned to rivers so we are all taking refuge inside until/if/when it dies down. 


We found out today that for our community based training all of the CYF volunteers will be placed in Subic...you can google that. It looks to be near a former U.S. navy base and it's kind of a touristy place. Beyond that we don't have a lot of information about our hosts families so I think that will all be a surprise. 

First Impressions

I  arrived in the Philippines after an 11 hour flight to Tokyo and a 4 hour flight to Manila. We are at a training base that is two hours south of Manila called the International Institute for Rural Development. The first day a rooster woke me up at 5:30AM, I used a bucket to take a shower and some fellow volunteers and I discovered a huge spider hanging in a 5ft web (which now we are quite certain was poisonous). 


Today we have been busy filling out more paperwork and attending lectures. We were given spending money and cell phones although we haven't figured out exactly how to load them yet. It's extremely humid and any excessive amount of time spent outside results in an immediate layer of sweat. Some people have found cockroaches and frogs in their rooms. I am sharing a room with another CYF (Children Youth and Families) Volunteer and so far no creatures have been able to penetrate our borders, although I'm sure it's only a matter of time. 

The best part about being here? Not once have I had to justify or explain my reasons for serving. We are all in this together and we have all been anxiously waiting for this moment for a very long time. I am already blown away by the wide range of highly experienced professionals I have met. There are a fair number of social workers and we will all be serving together in the CYF sector. 

It's Not Goodbye... It's See You Later

My bags are packed. My body is tired. Most importantly my mind is open. 

I will miss my friends.

Orientation and Basic Training Info

Peace Corps Philippines

Bridge to Pre-Service Training

MABUHAY to Group 271!  Welcome to the Philippines. We are excited that you are on your 

way.  

Initial Orientation 

Accommodations
Upon arrival, Trainees will stay at a facility that is about two hours from Manila. You will 
stay at this facility for your Initial Orientation (IO) and two weeks of center-based training, 
after which you will be going to your host families and cluster training sites the remainder of 
your PST. 


Vaccinations
Your necessary vaccinations will be administered beginning at the orientation and at the 
training site by the Peace Corps medical staff. Some vaccinations will be given by local 
doctors at the training sites. Vaccinations will be administered from July through September. 
Bring records of past immunizations you have received to avoid having to retake some shots.


Communication
During the first days of orientation, Trainees will be issued cell phones.  The IO and centerbased training site is equipped with WiFi.  Individual cluster training sites may or may not be close to internet cafes.  Some, but not all host families have telephones. Most Filipinos use cell phones for text messaging, domestic and international calls. We strongly encourage 
you to contact friends and family fairly soon after your arrival to let them know that 
you have arrived safely.


Local Currency/Money Matters
The Philippine Peso (PhP) is the local currency. Trainees will receive a Walk-Around 
Allowance in PhP the first day of Initial Orientation.  Since all meals and lodging are provided 
by Peace Corps, trainees will be responsible for their incidental items only.


Weather
The PST occurs during the hot and rainy season in most parts of the country. During this 
season most days will be quite hot, humid, and rainy. In addition, typhoons or tropical 
storms are common and frequent during this period. Umbrellas and rain coats will come in 
handy.  Daytime temperatures generally reach into the 85 plus degree range and typically 
drop to around 75 to 80 degrees at night. The hottest months of the year are generally April 
and May.


Safety and Security
The Peace Corps Philippines has established an effective safety and security program based 
on the experience of Peace Corps Volunteers, Trainees, Peace Corps staff and host agency 
counterparts.  During Initial Orientation and integrated throughout PST, you will receive 
training in the safety program. You will also receive training and guidance on how to 
maintain a respected relationship with your community, a key factor in your personal safety, 
as well as strategies to keep yourself safe while serving overseas. Pre-Service Training
Our training staff has been busy preparing for your Pre-Service Training, which will include 
instruction in Filipino, technical skills training, cross-cultural training, personal health and 
safety and security issues, and an orientation to Peace Corps Philippines and your host 
agencies. Our training staff consists of skilled Filipino trainers with occasional assistance
from currently serving Peace Corps Volunteers.


The goal of Pre-Service Training is to provide you with the language, cross-cultural, technical 
and community development, safety and security, and personal/health management skills 
necessary to prepare you to work effectively and live successfully at your site of assignment 
for the first six months at your site.  We do this through a combination of center-based 
training and community-based training.


Training Site 
Pre-Service Training will start with intensive training at a center two hours south of Manila, 
and then transition to small community clusters approximately 3 hours north of Manila. 
Trainees will be assigned to a specific cluster based on their job assignment, host family 
needs, technical abilities, and medical needs. 


Diet during training
Initially, it will be difficult for vegetarians to maintain their diet as Filipino Host Families may 
not be knowledgeable when it comes to preparing dishes for vegetarians. Generally, Filipinos 
don’t serve vegetables to their guests.  The Trainees may suggest dishes to the Host Family or may even demonstrate how to prepare vegetarian dishes. An example of a local diet would be rice, fish and vegetables.  Pork, beef and chicken dishes are served at lunch and dinner.  Rice is served with all meals including breakfast.  Filipinos love to eat fried and sweet foods.  


Overview of Training Schedule
The PST training schedule follows a six-day week. Sessions are held from Monday to
Saturday. We strongly encourage self-directed learning activities in your cluster community 
and spending time with your host family and Filipino community on Sundays.
The majority of your training will take place in your cluster community or barangay and 
surrounding village.  Your training will integrate five major elements including language, 
technical, cross-culture, medical and safety and security. You will pursue Filipino language
and cross-cultural studies, and will have technical sessions and practicum assignments with 
local community and host agency staff. On Saturdays, you may have linked sessions with a 
neighboring cluster.


Basic methodology and assessment criteria for PST
The Pre-Service Training program provides you with opportunities to learn through your own experience. The program assumes that you come with applicable skills, and that the training period is a time for you to refine and expand these skills in order to live happily and work effectively in the Philippines. This will be a time "to learn how to learn" so that you will be able to continue your learning process in language, culture and work skills even after your 
formal training has been completed.


Peace Corps training methodology follows a competency - based approach.  For example, in 
language classes the emphasis will be on what you can do, rather than on what you know 
about the language. In practice, this means that classroom and technical assignments are 
designed to help you develop the language and technical skills to live and work in your first six months at site; you will be learning important "life-coping skills" 


In addition to a competency-based approach for language training, the overall training design 
uses the Community-Based Training model which draws on principles from three other 
models: adult learning; experiential learning and learner-centered training. We see the Trainee as an adult learner whose own experience is a key element in the learning process, who has developed a preferred learning style, who benefits from having clear learning goals, and who requires a degree of control over learning tasks.  

Qualification Process For Volunteer Service

Peace Corps Philippines is pleased that you have decided to become a Peace Corps Volunteer.  However, before you are sworn-in, you must be prepared to meet the challenges of living and working in the country.  Peace Corps must be assured of your suitability, cultural sensitivity, competence and commitment to work for two years as a Volunteer in the Philippines.  By the end of PST, you must convince Peace Corps that you have successfully achieved the following training competencies:


ability to use Filipino to communicate with the community;
ability to live and work in your host community;
ability to perform the technical requirements of your work;
ability to abide by Peace Corps policies and follow sound health and safety practices in 
the Philippines.


Trainee assessment is a constant process. It is designed to help you recognize your 
successes, pinpoint where you need to improve and help the training staff identify ways they 
can assist you in attaining the training objectives.  Be prepared to both solicit and accept 
feedback on your adjustment process by PST staff.


The procedure for assessment includes ongoing personal reflection and self-assessment by 
the trainee and informal conversations with staff and peers. It also includes formal 
procedures; assessment meetings with key staff and the Language Proficiency Interview (LPI). 


The Peace Corps Philippines program strives to be an excellent development 
organization with a Corps of professional Volunteers that understand that they have 
committed fully to a job.  If you know now that you are unable to do this, the Peace Corps Philippines program is not for you.  If this sounds like the kind of organization that you would like to join, however, we would be very pleased and honored to have you.