The ideology here is simple. Someone can simply go to the local library and borrow a book, a journal or browse online. However the twist is that the 'book,' 'journal' or website is a living, breathing individual with a story to tell. Books are volunteers, with their own perspective drawn from their own background, reflecting cultural, religious and ethnic differences as well as view points. In short, people can be misrepresented and misunderstood. This is exact...

We had our first Breakfast that involved rice at Betania Retreat House (it is a getaway place for all the active and ascetic nuns out there). I have to say it was bizarre. Picturing dinner but at 7 in the morning. I couldn't decide if I could enjoy my meals or even tolerate it for three months. Two bowls of cereals to a rice, pork and egg blue plate meal. I had never felt so full on something so little. This surely does explain why the Filipinos are tiny. The n...

The first full day involved a VERY quick shower. This is something I'm hoping I'd get use to or 'will' get use to as the ambassador would say. After all, this was in a hostel. I doubt host homes would be any different. Speaking of 'will' it was strongly used during our meeting with him based on the culture and perspective of the deaf in the Philippines. He had us at the edge of our seats when he stated we were not only here to represent ourselves for the communi...

As part of the pre-assesment programme we has to gather for our final session before our flight which was summing up everything we needed to know during our stay in the Philippines. From making a giraffe out of newspaper to acting (silly or fun, I'm not sure). The idea of leaving really hasn't hit me, until the sight of 9 volunteers wandering around the airport. It had me thinking "there's no going back...." You would have thoughts about the trip before you have...