Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club member David Field has left behind the beaches of Australia to take up a volunteer assignment working in the Philippines as an Australian Volunteer for International Development.
Based on the island of Boracay David Field’s project is to develop the Philippines Red Cross’ lifesaving and lifeguarding program.
He is helping to establish best practice water safety and aquatic rescue, and will then take that model and extend it to other tourism areas around the Philippines. Philippines Red Cross identified water safety and development of lifeguarding skills as a key area where Australian expertise could help.
“‘I am adjusting to the pace of island life, and wondering what to do with all the clothes I brought from Oz. The lifestyle here is very casual,” Fieldy said. His assignment will run for at least 12 months.
“My assignment is going great, everyone is so keen to learn and share. I teach lifesaving skills, and in return I learn Tagalog and Filipino culture. Recently we commemorated World Aids Day with a candle lighting on the beach, organised by a young Red Cross member … we lit those big lanterns, they rose over the island and floated off over the sea.’
Australian Red Cross is a partner in the Australian Volunteers for International Development program. It is currently sending volunteers on overseas assignments to Asia, the Pacific and Africa
Red Cross assignments range from three months to two years and volunteers are supported with airfares, accommodation, living allowances and other services. Red Cross is often looking to recruit volunteers with backgrounds in HR, finance, marketing, communications, emergency services, social work and the environment.
It currently has volunteers in countries such as Kenya, helping people and communities recover from trauma in disaster, and Mongolia, teaching English language skills to Red Cross staff and volunteers and ensuring relief supplies can reach communities in the midst of the country’s harsh winters.
Volunteering provides a direct and tangible way for Australians from many walks of life to contribute to the aid program. In 2011-12, 1639 Australian Volunteers for International Development will work with host organisations in developing countries throughout Asia, the Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing to the development objectives of the Australian Government, and partner governments.
Australian volunteers share their skills and experience in areas such as health, HIV/AIDS, education, agriculture, rural development, water and sanitation, community development and governance. They transfer knowledge, build the capacity of people and organisations and create lasting people-to-people linkages between Australia and developing countries.
For more information and current vacancies visit www.ausaid.gov.au/volunteer, or call Red Cross on (03) 9345 1834 about its upcoming roles.
