My work as a volunteer for "Puso sa Puso"

My name is Michael Gegenfurtner. I am 19 years old and my homecountry is Germany. Since 19th of August 2010 I am here in the Philippines, Manila, to work as a volunteer for "Puso sa Puso" for one year. This organisation gives education for children, teenagers and adults which cannot afford to go to school. The money for my salary is provided by a governmental organisation called "Weltwärts" in cooperation with the Salvatorians.

My work is based on teaching. Five days a week I go to a slum area called "Parola" in order to hold lessons for children who are between three and six years old.

All in all I have 18 students who are divided into five groups. The lessons with each group last between one and one and a half hour. Each student has lessons at least twice a week. Together we do activities with reading, writing and coloring. The aim is to give these children a basic education so that they get the opportunity to graduate in school.

On December 4th 2010, "Puso sa Puso" also organised a Charity Christmas Party at "Delpan Sports Complex" for the youth of Parola. 1000 people were invited, included my 18 students. Food and presents were provided for free. During this event my job was to look after and care for my 18 students, five other volunteers helped me to handle this. I also prepared a Tagalog Prayer for the beginning of the party.

This all was organised in order to give a joyful Christmas Party also for the poorest of our society.