Volunteering is commonly defined as a selfless act in which volunteers offer their time, skills, and efforts to help others or contribute to a cause, organization, or community without exchange for monetary compensation. However, iVolunteer believes that volunteering is more than just helping others. It may also lead to self-discovery, self-growth, and an opportunity to hone your skills.
iVolunteer is the Philippines' largest volunteer-focused non-profit organization, run by volunteers for volunteers. The mission of iVolunteer is to make every Filipino volunteer and help build a better nation every day. Since its inception, iVolunteer's activities have been mostly centralized in Metro Manila. To achieve nation-building through volunteering, iVolunteer expanded its reach, giving birth to its leg in Mindanao.
iVolunteer Mindanao Regional Unit started by trying to understand the landscape of volunteerism in Mindanao by meeting potential partners and volunteer groups in 2022. Then, in February 2023, iVolunteer began recruiting volunteers in Mindanao. But it was the Go! Volunteer Expo 2023, held last May 27-28 in the SM Ecoland Annex, brought iVolunteer in Mindanao to the attention of the general public. The expo inspired many people to become volunteers and educated them on the benefits of volunteering.
One of those individuals was Leonard Culanag Jr.; he reflected, "Being one of the volunteers through iVolunteer, I have learned that even if you don't have enough skills and knowledge about dealing with different people, it is not a hindrance in making people's lives feel better, especially if you show your pure intentions to them. A lot of strangers became friends, and the more people you know, the more resources you can utilize in the future. iVolunteer made a big help for some less fortunate. I was so very happy to be part of the Go! Volunteer Expo 2023 Marshall team."
Leonard was one of the volunteers who helped in the said expo by being a marshal. He later became a volunteer manager at Field of Dreams, one of the partner organizations of iVolunteer. Today, he continues to work and is now the social worker at Field of Dreams, providing guidance to the kids at the foundation.
One of the current staff members of the iVolunteer, Mark Joseph Junio, remarked, Go! Volunteer Expo 2023 opened numerous doors of opportunity for him. Right after the expo, he volunteered as a youth teacher at Field of Dreams. And eventually decided to become a staff of iVolunteer. For Mark, volunteering helped him grow personally and professionally as he worked with people who are regarded as knowledgeable volunteer leaders in their respective advocacies. Volunteering has shaped and molded Mark, instilling in him the determination and unwavering commitment to learn, unlearn, and work on the ground.
Currently, the iVolunteer Mindanao Regional Unit is in partnership with 16 Mindanao-based non-profit organizations, including the Field of Dreams Charity Foundation, Inc., the Philippine Eagle Foundation, Media Educators of Mindanao, and Sign Language Interpreters of Davao Region. These partnerships aim to amplify volunteer efforts across various causes, from environmental conservation to education, social support, and many more. According to Cedrick Culanag, the current lead of the Mindanao Regional Unit, they have completed around 20 volunteer activities in the first half of 2024. One notable event was the Partners' Meetup, which brought together representatives from 18 Mindanao-based non-profit organizations to foster collaboration and share best practices. This ongoing collaboration demonstrates iVolunteer's commitment to strengthening the volunteer network and making a meaningful impact in the Mindanao region.
Help us strengthen to volunteer sector in Mindanao by engaging more Filipinos to volunteer. If you are a non-profit organization and need to engage volunteers, you can email us at mindanao@ivolunteer.com.ph.
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