Let’s go to the Philippines!!

Hello Family, Friends, Colleagues, and anyone else who may have stumbled upon this page!

In June I will be heading out to Tacloban City, Philippines to volunteer and teach music through an organization called Arts Abroad. As you may know, on November 8, 2013 the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded. The city of Tacloban was completely leveled and many people lost their homes and their livelihoods; AB operations in the region were shut down until March 2015. Now, as people continue to rebuild from almost nothing, the programs offered by AB offer them an outlet for creativity and self-expression.

There will be two primary projects that I will be able to participate in while I am there; one is through a local community centre that provides services and support to members of the community of all ages. My main focus will be on teaching music classes for the children at the community centre but I will also have the opportunity to participate in other projects such as teaching English, tutoring, and community development. The other project will be at a youth rehabilitation centre, a facility for minors who have been accused of crimes and are awaiting trial, many have been waiting for over a year. The programs offered by AB give them the opportunity to participate in positive, constructive activities such as music, dance, and other arts.

Thank you for taking the time to explore this page and for considering making a donation. Your contributions will go towards helping to cover the cost of the program and the airfare to the Philippines, as well as supplies such as music, instruments, and anything else that will make this a positive and meaningful experience for the community. Any donation, no matter the amount, will be extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! Thank you!!