The KOICA WFK Program will resume deploying onsite volunteers in the Philippines starting this October.
The first batch of KOVs comprised of two volunteers who arrived on 26 October. One volunteer will be deployed at TESDA Regional Training Center XI Davao
— Korea-Philippines Vocational Training Center, while the other will be assigned at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office under the Provincial Government Unit of Negros Occidental.
The volunteers are expected to impart technical assistance in the sectors of education (Korean language) and public administration (social welfare). They will undergo an eight-week language and culture in-country training before starting their assignments at their host organization.
The KOICA-WFK Program is the overseas volunteer program of the South Korean government that aims to promote friendly and cooperative relationship, create mutual exchanges between Korea and developing countries, and support partner countries' economic and social growth.
The program was created in the hope that the volunteers will be "friends for those in need around the world." Since 1990, KOICA Philippines has deployed 716 volunteers to 408 partner institutions including academia, government units and agencies, and NGOs.
The program dispatches Korean Overseas Volunteers (KOVs) with a variety of expertise (40 professions) that can be categorized into five identified sectors. These include (1) Public Administration; (2) Education; (3) Agriculture and Fishery; (4) Healthcare; and (5) Technology, Environment and Energy.
The volunteers are expected to contribute to the attainment of goals of the institution where they are dispatched, national plans and international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
"At first, it was difficult to adapt to living in an unfamiliar environment, but with KOICA's systematic volunteer program and active support from the Philippine office, I was able to overcome difficulties and focus on the volunteer work. While working as a mathematics teacher, I focused on improving the basic academic ability of young students in the Negros Oriental region by teaching math classes, producing and distributing math teaching materials and building multi-purpose classrooms. Through the volunteer work, I was able to raise awareness of the development cooperation works of the Korean government," said Kang, volunteer batch 115.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, KOVs around the globe were repatriated to South Korea for their safety and security. All onsite volunteering activities were halted and KOICA-WFK shifted its focus on the e-volunteering program.
Following the resumption and anticipating the continuous dispatch of volunteers in 2023, KOICA invites local organizations and other interested parties to express their intent and send their requests for volunteer assistance under the WFK Program.
KOICA hopes that with the return of onsite KOVs, it will be able to create new and nourish old partnerships, promote effective technical transfer of skills to partner organizations, and contribute to the economic development of the Philippines.
