Connecting Lives, Sharing Cultures

#MoreFunInThePhilippines #AFSeffect

TABLE OF CONTENTSWelcome to the Philippines! ................................................................................. 1Support Structure .................................................................................................... 2Communication Line .............................................................................................. 2Who to Contact In Case of Emergency .......................................................... 2Support Group ......................................................................................................... 3Making sense of your Experience ..................................................................... 4Orientation Schedule ............................................................................................. 4What to do during your First days ................................................................... 5Filipino School .......................................................................................................... 6Volunteering in the Philippines .......................................................................... 7Sharing your Culture .............................................................................................. 7Don’t miss to record your Intercultural Experience ................................... 7Language Learning ................................................................................................. 8Health and Safety Information ........................................................................... 9Medical Insurance .................................................................................................... 9Personal Safety ........................................................................................................ 9Natural Disasters Preparedness ....................................................................... 10Rules, Policies and Standards ........................................................................... 10 AFS Cardinal Rules ................................................................................... 10 Travel Rules ................................................................................................... 11 Sports Waiver ............................................................................................... 11Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 12Apendix ..................................................................................................................... 13 Travel Request Form Independent Travel Waiver Host Family Questionnaire

This Handbook was partnered after the AFS USA Inc. (2014), Participant’s Guidebook.

AFS Mission Statement“AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit

organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more

just and peaceful world.”

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Welcome to AFS Experience in the Philippines!You have made a wise decision in choosing the Philippines as the venue of your AFS Experience. You will be welcomed by warm, friendly, smiling people and will be immersed in a culture that represents a rich mixture of Asian, Spanish and American influences. You will also learn to speak two languages, English and at least one Philippine dialect.

During your stay here, you will enjoy the hospitality for which Filipinos are well known all over. You will also understand our way of life, appreciate how we cope with the daily struggles of a developing country, and cultivate Friendship with Filipinos.

The Program of Activities for your stay here will allow you to:

• ExperiencethePhilippineEducationalSystem• VolunteeringinthePhilippines• LivewithaFilipinoFamily/workwithFilipinos• UnderstandthelivingconditionofthePhilippines• ImmerseyourselfinFilipinoCulture• VisitPlacesofHistoricalandCulturalSignificance

Since, the Philippines will be your home for the next several months, we want your stay withusasenjoyableandassafeaspossible.PleasereadthisHandbookcarefullyasitwaswritten to prepare you for your AFS adventure!

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AFS SUPPORT STRUCTUREand Communication LineParticipantYour Name: ____________________

Host Family Basic InformationNameofHostParents:____________________ContactInformation:____________________HomeAddress:____________________

AFS IPP Chapter VolunteersCity_____________________NameofyourLiaison__________________NameofChapterPresident______________

National Office Support StaffHighSchoolCoordinatorHostingStaff18+ProgramsCoordinatorHostingStaffHostingManagerphi.hosting@afs.org

Partner CountryNameofAFSSendingCountry_________________________________

Natural FamilyName of ParentsContactInformationHomeAddress:_______________

In case of Emergency please contact:Duty Officer (DO)Available24/7

(02) 734 9659

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An AFS participant should never feel alone. He/she should always remember thatAFS Philippines has a support group that is willing to help in whatever problem or concernhe/shemayhave.

Hereareimportantinformationtoconsiderwhen in need of help:

• The closest person to the participant inthesupportgroupishis/herLocalCoordinator. Each participant isassigned a Local Coordinator forthe duration of his/her stay in thePhilippines. The coordinator supports the participant, host family host school and host community.

• The Local Coordinator reportsdirectlytohis/herAFSchapterarea.While the chapter chairperson relays reports to the AFS National Office.

• Participants are advised to keep in regular touch with his/her LocalCoordinator. The Local Coordinatorprioritizes the participant’s security and welfare.

• Participants in the school-based program are also assigned school coordinator. The coordinator is responsible for all school related concerns of the participants.

• Participants in the community-based program are also assigned community coordinator. The coordinator is responsible for all community related concerns.

• When you have a problem, please do not immediately contact your natural familybytelephoneorInternet.Theydonot have full and accurate information about your problem and may not be able to give you useful advice. An important first step would be to talk toyourAFSLocalCoordinatororanyother member of your AFS support group. Decide, together with them, if they or you should call the AFS office of your home country and/or yournatural family.

• Your coordinator, the Support StaffattheAFSInterculturalProgramandother volunteers comprise your AFS support group. They will be in touch with you from time to time

“Remember! It is a great challenge to handle with maturity and independence the problems that you may encounter during your stay in the Philippines. Problems help make your AFS experience away from home both rich and rewarding.”

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SUPPORT

GROUP....

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Making sense ofyour ExperienceAFS network follows standard stages of orientations throughout your sojourn, these orientations are outlined to prepare and support you while embarking in your once in a lifetime journey. The AFS Orientation Framework will guide you in making sense of your program and your experience!

All orientations will concentrate on the following topics during your experience:

1. AFS & You 2. Personal Safety and Wellbeing 3.CulturalAdjustmentandCoping 4.CultureLearning 5. Personal Goals and Expectations 6.RequiredLogistics

Throughout your journey with us, the local volunteers in your chapters will give you activities and exercises; which will guide and help you in your adjustment process, this will give you the opportunity to reflect and share your challenges and enjoyable moments you have during the experience.

All orientations are required/mandatory to all Participants.

Kindly fill in this table for your actual orientation, as you receive the information from your local volunteer(s), if you did not get any orientation kindly email us in the National office for appropriate action.

Hosting Orientation Schedule

Arrival Orientation DateJuly 15-17, 2015

LocationACE Hotel, Mandaluyong

City Philippines

Post Arrival OrientationAfter one (1) of your stayconducted by the local volunteers

Midstay OrientationHalfwayofyourExperience conducted by the local volunteers

End of Stay OrientationConductedbyAFSstaff

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What to do duringyour first daysThe following are some suggestions that you can do during your first days of your program.

1. Call or email your Natural Family. They will want to know how are you doing.2. Write down your host family’s work and home telephone numbers.3. Fill out the Participant and Host Family Questionnaire with your Host Family.4. Sleep. Although exhausted, you keep on going to because everything is new and exciting.

However,preciselybecauseeverythingisnewandexcitingyouneedmoresleep.5. Register and go to School/ Report to Work.Youareexpectedtogotoschool/reportto

work during your first week of arrival. Ask your host family and local volunteer(s) about schoolregistration/CPOorientation.

6. Get to know your neighborhood/community. Familiarity with your new environment/community will make you feel less strange in your new home.

Conclusion:EverythingyouseethatisdifferentisachanceforyoutolearnalittlemoreaboutthePhilippines,about your home country and about yourself.

Remember, it is not wrong or right; it is just different!

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Filipino SchoolThere are two government agencies that supervise the educational system in the Philippines (1) Department of Education forprimaryandsecondaryeducation(2)CommissionofHigherEducation(CHED)fortertiarylevel.

The educational ladder consists of: pre-school, six years elementary education, four years in secondary and four years in collegiate level.

Subjects that are required in all schools are: English,Mathematics (geometry, algebra, and trigonometry), Science,Filipino and Makabayan “Patriotic” (economics, history, geography, civilizations) and Technology and Livelihoodeducation,PhysicalEducation,ArtsandHealth.

UniversitiesinthePhilippinesareallprivatesector.Mostbachelordegreesarefouryears.

Academic YearTheacademicyearinthePhilippinesstartsonthefirstMondayofJuneandendsintherestlastFridayofMarch.Forsecondarystudents,classesstartsat7amuntil5pm.

InstructionThe language of instruction is predominantly English except for Filipino classes.

School RulesEvery school has its own set of rules and regulations below are some common rules you will encounter;

• Students must come to school with complete uniform• ThosewhocomelatemustgetapassfromtheGuidanceCounselor• Ifyouareabsentyoumustsecure/showanexcuseletterexplainingthereasonforyourabsence,signedbyyour

hostparents.Incaseofsickness,amedicalcertificateisrequired.Totalnumberofabsencesshouldnotexceedto20% of the total number of your school days.

• Smoking, gambling, vandalism stealing, cheating in examinations, cutting classes and other similar infractions are punishable with suspension from classes or expulsion from school.

• Excessivelypublicdisplayofaffectioniffrownedat.Kissinginpublicisprohibited.• On days, where uniform is not required, girls may not wear short dresses or skirts, tank tops and the like. • Insomeschools,haircutischecked.Boysmustmaintainshorthair.

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Volunteering inthe PhilippinesTheFOREIGNVOLUNTEERPROGRAMofAFSInterculturalProgramsPhilippines(AFSIPP)is the successful formula of “learning by serving” and its aims are twofold: to achieve added developmental value for the partner projects in terms of help towards self-help, and to spark new interest in developmental issues occurring in the Philippines and various part of the world. Theforeignvolunteerprogramalsoenvisionsaneffectivecontributiontodevelopmentalpol-icy information and education work in terms of global learning, enhance intercultural under-standing and help increase awareness and acceptance within society of how developmental policy issues impact on our future. AFSPhilippinesForeignVolunteerProgramembarksparticipantsinalifetimeexperienceofdiscernments and keen sense of volunteerism. Active involvement and sincere commitment to work with our partner NGO (Non-government organization) is expected from all partici-pants.

As a community service program participant, you are required to render at least 30 hours of services every week. Keep in mind that procedures implemented in the Philippines is far differentfromwhatyouobserveinyourhomecountry.Itisimportantthatyouincreaseyourawarenessofthesedifferencesnotonlythroughinstructionsgiventoyoubutbyconstantlyobservingnormswithinyourcommunityprojectorganization(CPO).TakinginitiativetoleadprojectsandprogramsyoudeembeneficialtoyourCPOisalsoavaluablestep.

Sharing your CultureALLAFSparticipantsarealsoexpectedtoshareabouttheirhomeculturetoyourhostfamily, new friends, workmates, and host community. You can share your culture in so many differentandcreativeways,youcansharerecipes,showpicturesofyourfamilyandfriendsback home, etc. This is a great way of letting people in your host country understand you better.

Don’t miss to record your Intercultural Experience!Since, this is going to be an adventure for the next months it is very important that you don’t misstodocument/recordyourexperiences.Youcanstartajournal,blogorscrapbook.Thisway you can also look back after you’re AFS year, your growth and the experiences you made throughout your journey. And don’t forget to let us know in AFS! We love to hear and seepicturesofyourAFSexperience!Ifyou’dliketosharestorieswithus,youcanemailusintheofficeortaggedususing#AFSeffect#AFSPhilippines@afsphilippinesinInstagram,Facebook or Twitter.

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Learning the basic words/language in the Philippines!

Although everyone in the Philippines speaks English, it is also very essential for an AFS participant to learnanewlanguage; inthePhilippineswehave170spokendialects indifferentcities.Thenational language is called Tagalog, mostly spoken in the northern part of the country.

HerearesomeHelpfulTagalogwordsthatyoucanstartlearning,

Introductions(Mynameis...)–“Ako po ay si... (your name)”Hello,howareyou?– “Hello, Kamusta ka?”Directions/Whereisthe..?–“Saan po ang... (name of the place/location).”How–“Paano”Thankyou– “Salamat po”Ilike/want–“Gusto ko”Idonotlike–“Hindi ko Gusto”Yes–“Opo” if your talking to elders, and “Oo” if to your friends or the same ageNo–“Hindi po” if your talking to elders, “Hindi” to your friends

Tips in learning a new language• Bealwaysopen-mindedandask ifyoudonotunderstand,seekhelpfromthe locals for

translations. • Keep a small language notebook with you throughout your AFS journey and list down a new

word that you learn everyday. • Listentolocalmusic• Observe gestures, non-verbal language is also very common in the Philippines like pointing with

the mouth, eyebrow greeting, staring especially that Filipinos admire your white complexion, finger pointing, smiling, passing in between conversations, scratching in the head. Ask about all of these gestures to your newfound friends, your host family, workmates.

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Health andSafety InformationAFShasastructuredRiskandCrisisManagementtohelpyouincaseofemergencies;youwillbegiven an orientation for your Safety and Wellbeing in your local chapter.

Ask as much questions as possible, especially if you have dietary restrictions, like allergies etc.

Medical InsuranceAFSprovidesMedicalplantoallparticipants.Thiscoverstheprompt,suitablemedicaltreatmentwhenever needed by participants. AFS seeks to ensure that participants’ medical expenses are paid during the whole duration of the program.

However,pleasenotethatthemedicalplandoesnotcoveranytreatmentrequiredforpre-existingconditions or preventive purposes or dental or eye care.

For reimbursement purposes, please be guided with the following:1. ParticipantmustaccomplishtheMedicalCareReport(MCP)uponseeingadoctor.2. HavethedoctorverifyandsigntheMCP.3. SendtheMCPalongwiththereceiptsofanyincurredmedicalexpensestotheAFSNational

OfficeaddressedtotheHostingCoordinator.4. AFS will send a check under payee’s name for the reimbursement. The request will usually

take a week process.

Personal SafetyInthePhilippines,youwilldefinitelygetalotofattentioninyourhostcommunityalthoughitisguaranteedthatyouareplaceinaverysafearea/neighborhoodandfamily.RememberAFSwouldneverputyouinaverydangeroussituation/area.However,foryourownpersonalsafetyandwell-being, it is very important that you take necessary precautions whenever or wherever you are! Take care of your belongings especially when traveling and be more aware of your surrounding and the peopleyoumeet.MakesurethattheAFSvolunteersinyourchapterandyourhostfamilyiswellaware of your whereabouts.

Herearesometipsinminimizingrisks;

Protect Yourself• Your body is always your own• Regardless of cultural norms in the Philippines, you have the right to say no if you feel

uncomfortable• Ifsomethingdoesn’tfeelrighttoyou,talktotherightpeopleAFScoordinator/Chapter• Keepeveryonehostfamily,CPO,AFScoordinatorinformedatalltimesofyourwhereabouts• Never go anywhere with a person you do not know

CulturalAwareness• There are behaviors, gestures that might be “okay” appropriate in your home country that

arenot“okay”appropriateinthePhilippines,orthereverse.Makesurethatyouhaveaclearunderstandingofthesedifferences.Ifyouarenotsure,ifwhatyourdoingisappropriateornot, ask for clarifications.

Sexual Abuse• Anyformofabuseverbal,physicalandcybermustbereportedtoyourAFSCoordinatorfor

proper and immediate intervention. Any situation that makes you uncomfortable must be reported as soon as possible.

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Natural disasterspreparednessAs the Philippines lies geographically in the typhoon belt, most of the islands experience annualtorrentialrainsandthunderstormsfromJulytoOctober,withanaverageof19to20typhoons a year. Other natural incidents, as though as earthquake and volcanic eruptions are possibilities as well.

Rules, Policies& StandardsThe Three (3) Cardinal Rules:

Laws, Illegal Drugs, Alcohol Abuse, Driving and Hitch-hiking• Participants are not allowed any contact with illegal drugs or people who use them.

They must avoid being present in any situation in which drugs may be present. Explicit violation of this rule is cause for dismissal from the program and early return to the home country. The same rule applies for alcohol abuse.

• Participants and natural parents are fully responsible for any damages caused to third parties, and for any costs involved in connection to the use of drugs or alcohol. AFS does not assume legal liability of the students.

• AFS students are also under the laws of their host country. Neither AFS nor the government of the student’s home country has the power to protect a student from prosecutionduetodruguse,theft,orotherlegaloffenses.

• As an AFS student, you are not allowed to drive any kind of motorized vehicle. Avoid getting into any vehicle with a driver who is younger than you are, who does not have license, or who has consumed alcohol or drugs.

• Hitchhiking is strictly forbidden.

Failure to follow these rules will be ground for Early Return or Program Termination immediately. Other causes of Program Termination are the following:

No abuse of alcoholic beveragesEarlyPregnancy/FatherhoodSeriousIllnessAccidentsExternalConditionsBreakingofPhilippineLaws

No Driving No Drugs NoHitch-hiking

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TRAVELRULES1. AFS participants are not tourists and are not considered fully independent to travel alone. You should always be considerate of your host family, school, CPO andcommunity. Thus, you are only allowed only trips with adult members for minors of your host family and those organized by your host school and host community.2. Traveling with visiting natural family, relatives or friends is not allowed. They

distract you from your commitments to a new life and impose new responsibilities on the host families and the local support structure. These visits can only be made after written approval is obtained from the AFS office of your home country, host family and AFS Philippines.

3. An authorized adult must accompany you on any overnight travel for minors.4. You are to accomplish the Travel Waiver (TW) along with Travel Request Form (TRF)

whenever you wish to pursue a travel plan with your host family, host school and host community. The AFS Philippines office should be informed of your itinerary, place of stay, and contact number at least two weeks before your trip.

5. Youcantravelabroadwithyourhostfamily.However,aTWandTRFwillhavetobeaccomplished first, and approved by your host family, natural parents, AFS Philippines and the sending partner country.

Failure to comply with these rules and procedures will not approve all travel plans.

A Support Agreement (SA) will be issued if the rules are disobeyed. This can lead to an eventual Early Return (ER).

SPORTS ANDACTIVITY WAIVERThis waiver is needed if participants desire to be involved in all kinds of outdoors and extreme sportsandactivities(i.e.surfing,rock/wallclimbing,bungeejumping,skydivingandthelike.

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1. Itisveryimportantthatyoucometo the Philippines with an open mind and willingness to learn about our country and culture.

2. Keep in mind that you have come to the Philippines to learn, not to teach. Be sure to listen andobserve carefully all that is going onaroundyou.Makeeveryeffortnot to judge Philippine culture too quickly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what you see and hear.

3. Remember that the AFS experience is not an easy one. You will have to work very hard. As in all experiences, there will be good times and bad times during your stay in the country.

4. It will be very important for youto communicate how you feel and what you think in a respectful way to your host family and new friends. By communicating with respect,you will reach deeper levels of understandingandaffectionwiththem, and avoid many possible misunderstandings.

5. Don’t forget to maintain a sense of humor. You will be in a new culture and you are going to make many mistakes. Filipinos will laugh affectionately at your mistakes.If you are also able to laugh atyourself now and then, you will be much better of.

Always remember that your attitude will be the key to your AFS experience. We sincerely hope that will you come with a desire to learn everything that you can about the Philippines. Beenthusiastictotrynewthings.Beopenin communicating with your host family and new friends.

We are sure that having done all these you will say at the end of the program that you had a truly rewarding life-changing AFS experience in the Philippines.

CONCLUSIONBelowaresomewordsofadvicetohelpyoumakethemostout of your AFS experience in the Philippines.

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AppendixTravel Request FormIndependentTravelWaiverHostFamilyQuestionnaire