Teaching Invaluable Lessons in the Philippines
An insight into my time teaching English in the Philippines and my stay in the cultural haven, Tigman village! An experience which brought a sense of immeasurable pride. Already a qualified teacher in my hometown in New Zealand, I knew I wanted to transfer my skills to the classrooms providing lessons to children living below the poverty line. Contributing to community development through the education of local children was not only rewarding but also exhilarating!
Teaching English in the Philippines!
I have a love for travel and have visited over twenty eight countries but having never participated in a volunteer program; it has always been a dream of mine. During my time in Tigman, I have gained experience, knowledge, insight and some incredible friends. Although I went to transfer my teaching skills and classroom experience, I also learned new found skills including how to develop engaging lessons plans with very little resources.
Throughout my time volunteering in the Philippines, I was based at Tigman Elementary School, teaching Science, English and Math. With teaching in New Zealand I was interested to see the differences and similarities between schooling in different countries. I found teachers in the Philippines much more resourceful as school budgets are significantly less compared with schools in New Zealand.
The children are beautiful, intelligent and have personalities that capture your heart. They have taught me more than I thought possible. I grew very fond of the children as they let their gratitude for my time at the school shine through.
During the weekends, we ventured off to explore the beautiful aspects Palawan had to offer. A girl’s trip to El Nido was definitely a highlight; embracing the sun, beaches, and boat trips to see some of the clearest water I have ever seen. With a trip to Port Barton you can see turtles and fall in love with the chilled vibe which permeates through the region. The people of Palawan are welcoming, inviting and spread nothing but happiness!
The team in Tigman Village made me feel supported, safe and happy during my time participating. It is a friendly environment, with good food, great company and many laughs. My favourite thing is Thursday night karaoke with the whole team. Tigman is a quaint village alive with culture and tradition, there was never a dull moment in the village as we were always hanging out with the locals or bathing in the tranquil sea waters! Looking back on all I have gained during this experience, I would suggest everyone grasps this opportunity and embraces all that Tigman village has to offer.
Private: Environmental Conservation in the Beautiful Philippines!
