Where have all the young ones gone?

When young people work together to make the world a better place, then there must be something good to look forward to.

And so there is.

“Global Xchange is a volunteer exchange program, which gives young people from different countries a unique opportunity to work together and share valuable skills and to make a practical contribution where it is needed in local communities,” said Jeff Tarayao, community relations’ head, Globe Telecom.

As part of its commitment to help empower the youth, Globe Bridging Communities (Globe BridgeCom), Globe Telecom’s corporate social responsibility program, recently partnered with Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) Bahaginan, the British Council, VSO Philippines, and Community Service Volunteers (CSV) for the sponsorship of Global Xchange Program (GXP), a volunteer exchange program that gives a unique opportunity to young people to become active global citizens through learning, reflection, volunteerism, and community action.

GXP aims to positively change the lives of individuals and communities through cross-cultural, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial international exchanges. Globe is a program partner from the private sector. To date, this is the third GXP in the country since its beginning in 2004.

“As partner, Globe BridgeCom is supporting the Global Xchange Program not only through financial support and connectivity by providing SIM cards and load to the volunteers but also by sharing ideas and expertise in community relations during the activity sessions,” said Globe public relations head Jones T. Campos.

In March 2007, nine young Filipino volunteers went to the cities of Southampton and Bradford, UK, to meet with their British counterparts and start the immersion program. For three months they lived with their host families and worked in host communities. Last June, the team came to the Philippines for the second half of the exchange program.

“Global Xchange volunteers had a weekend mid-phase review together with Globe BridgeCom on July 27-29.  It was during this time that they were able to assess their experiences in the Philippines as well as in the United Kingdom. The young volunteers were happy to note that the program is meeting its aims and objectives,” added Tarayao

The theme for this year’s Xchange is “Peace and Development.” It is for this reason that VSO, the British Council and Globe chose Davao City and Cagayan de Oro as the main immersion areas.

The young people we had an opportunity to meet said that through the program they were able to gain a greater awareness of the issues faced by developed and developing countries. The best part for them was to be able to put all the things that they the learned into action.

Here’s what the volunteers had to say:

Laura Chillag from Wigan, UK: Here at the NGO Women’s Access to Vital Education Services (WAVES), I have learned a great deal. I work with some very inspirational people who are clearly passionate about the work they do. I am living with a Filipino family that really helps with our immersion in the community. (We are also) learning from peers in different countries.

Chely Vibal from Manila: Here in Davao we try to raise HIV- and AIDS-prevention awareness. For me, volunteering in two entirely different communities has been such a privilege because it has given me a glimpse into how multifaceted and multi-dimensional poverty is. It is here where we learned that no matter how rich a country may be there are still people who experience poverty. I have experienced that everywhere around the world we all feel the same.

Steffan Harris of Wales: I am working for Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao, an NGO that collects data on farmers and farm profiles. The main focus of this NGO is people empowerment through peace and advocacy. I have been working on the computer files of their office and basically bringing my skills in database development to their files. I have been able to talk to the farmers and hear firsthand what problems they have. Living in a host home is a really valuable experience.

Junica Soriano of Pasig: Living with different people is one of the biggest learning experiences for me. It may sound simple, but it is not that easy and yet it can be done with proper communication. 

Philip Commeyne of Quezon City: I work in the People Collaborating for Economic and Environmental Management. I love the work I am doing with the NGO. But what I have learned most from this exchange is that even if we have cultural differences between us, what is most important is what kind of person we are inside. It is one’s character that makes the difference.

Edward Aboagye of London: Back in England I was working for a few NGOs. I was mainly doing office work. Here in the Mindanao I work with the Kinaiyahan Foundation. I think that the main thing I have learned is that what is most important is to be there in the field and to actually do the work, rather than theorizing back in the office. I see a lot more and learn a lot more from being in the field.

Robby Nazal, program manager for volunteering development for VSO Bahaginan explained what Global Xchange is: Although the Philippines and the UK are two very different cultures, what happens when you put nine rice-eating Filipinos and nine tea-drinking British youth together — living, working and sharing the same experiences — what you really aim to achieve is that their young lives will change forever.

Global Xchange makes sure that the young volunteers are placed in areas where poverty and inequality exist. This is the reason they were placed in development NGOs in Mindanao that are actually operating in communities in area. In the UK they are placed in centers that provide support to either people with disabilities or migrants seeking asylum. The work of the volunteers is a team effort. This means that the volunteers work in pairs no matter where they are, with one volunteer from each country. 

And just what is their work schedule like?

We were informed that on Mondays to Thursdays, depending on the schedule in the area where they work, the volunteers do whatever work the NGOs require of them. Fridays are normally reserved for global citizenship day when they work together on one topic that may be a social issue in the area where they are. A pair is assigned to explore the topic and discuss it with the other volunteers. They look for ways and means to move forward amid that problem. One of the issues tackled, for example, was cultural diversity.

On Saturdays the volunteers do some work on community projects of their choice. This may be teaching or other such endeavors where they have a concrete effect on the community they are situated in. That is their organized volunteering act for that community.

Their involvement in the work in their host homes is a big part of the immersion. They live in normal households. It is an opportunity for these young people to have a firsthand experience of living in the community where they are volunteering.

Globe Bridgecom is the corporate social responsibility program of Globe Telecom and it supports education initiatives like Global Xchange

“In our youth leadership and engagement programs Globe supports youth leadership congresses like the Ayala Young Leaders congress, youth heritage camps. Globe also sponsors the annual Future Leaders Business conference. And now, this is Globe Telecom’s first venture into doing international linkages with Global Xchange, “ noted Tarayao. “We actually see the opportunity for ideas of exchange for young people. We hope that through the partnerships between Globe Bridgecom and Global Xchange we will be able to provide opportunities to strengthen youth involvement and help them chart the future of our societies.”