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Medical Support in Villages in Palawan

Take part in a healthcare project in the rural areas of Palawan and help bring medical care and health education to local communities. Work alongside local doctors and healthcare staff through village visits, support for mothers and children, and educational activities in schools.

Where

Where

Tigman Village, Palawan, Philippines

When

When

Departures every week, all year round (except during closure periods)

Duration

Duration

Minimum 1 week

Accommodation

Accommodation

Shared or private rooms in a volunteer house with meals included

Language

Language

English (beginner level recommended)

Ideal for

Ideal for

Students or graduates in medicine, nursing, or healthcare professions

Travel destination

Project details

About section

A healthcare project for the rural communities of Palawan

 

In Tigman, a small village by the sea, access to healthcare services is often limited. Many residents rely on free local clinics, which struggle to meet everyone’s needs.

This is why the project was created, coordinated by local nurses and staff, with the aim of strengthening prevention and health education in the more isolated areas.

Whether you are a healthcare professional or simply motivated to contribute, you can work alongside medical staff, take part in check-ups, promote hygiene in schools, and visit families in the villages. A concrete and meaningful experience that combines learning, impact, and direct connection with the community.

Why participate

Experience the truest side of the Philippines

Immerse yourself in the daily life of a rural village and discover the island of Palawan beyond the tourist routes.

Experience the truest side of the Philippines

Support public health

Support public health

The Weekly Program

Weekdays

From Monday to Friday, the days are divided between field medical activities, home visits, and educational sessions in schools.

There is also time for discussion with the local team and for preparing the next day’s activities.

07:00Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:30Activities at the clinic or home visits in the villages
11:30Break and return to the centre for lunch
14:30Preparing educational sessions or group activities
15:30Health education in schools or support for vaccination programmes
18:30Dinner and evening activities with the other volunteers and locals: games, chats, or karaoke

Weekend

Weekends are free from mandatory activities. You can explore the area, join small trips, or relax with the other volunteers.

Trip to Port Barton

Trip to Port Barton

White beaches, tropical islands, and crystal-clear waters: a paradise for snorkelling and relaxation

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Cost calculator

Weeks:
2
Daily cost:
£0
Total cost:
£0
🍽️Accommodation, meals and daily essentials included
🚫No group kitty, no add-ons, no hidden fees
🫶Your fee directly supports our local partner

What's included

What's not included

FAQs

During your stay in Palawan, you will live in the volunteer house located in the coastal village of Tigman, just steps from the sea and about 20 minutes from the centre of Aborlan. The structure, simple and surrounded by nature, hosts small groups of volunteers at a time (4–8 people per room), to ensure an intimate, authentic experience that is well integrated with the local community.

The accommodation consists of shared rooms with bunk beds, mosquito nets, and fans. The rooms come with bed linen and padlocks to keep personal belongings safe. Bathrooms are shared and equipped with showers (cold water), essential facilities, and a hand-washing laundry area. There is no washing machine, but an external paid laundry service is available.

Wi-Fi is available only in the common areas and may be unstable due to weather conditions. To stay connected, we recommend buying a local SIM card (GLOBE), which is easy to find nearby. Despite the proximity to the beach, swimming may not always be possible because of seasonal jellyfish: the staff will point out the safe swimming areas in the surroundings.

🛏️ Included amenities:

- Accommodation in shared rooms (private room available on request, at an extra cost)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- Ongoing support from the local team (24/7)
- Safety boxes and lockable rooms
- Mosquito nets, fans, and air conditioning in the rooms
- Safe, welcoming setting surrounded by nature


Meals are prepared by the local team and include typical Filipino dishes with Western influences: rice, pasta, chicken, fish, vegetables, and fresh fruit. Special dietary requirements can be communicated in advance.

The volunteer house is also a place for meeting and sharing: a reference point where you can relax, get to know people from all over the world, and reflect on the experience you are living, in a simple, warm, and family-like atmosphere.
The safety of our participants is an absolute priority.

Every programme is carefully monitored, from the clinics and outreach activities you will join to the volunteer house where you will stay, to ensure a welcoming and protected environment.

🔹 Participant screening and protected environments

To protect local communities, all participants are required to provide an up-to-date criminal record certificate before departure.

We will send you step-by-step instructions on how to obtain a DBS check or equivalent in your country.

🔹 High safety standards

We work only with trusted local clinics, schools, and community partners accustomed to welcoming international volunteers. Accommodation is in a safe area, rooms can be locked, and the local team is always nearby for support.

🔹 24-hour support

From your arrival at the airport until the end of the programme, you can count on continuous support from the local staff, including evenings and weekends. Our HQ team also remains reachable via WhatsApp for any need.

🔹 Training and orientation

On your first day, you will take part in an orientation meeting with practical rules, safety guidance, and an introduction to local Filipino culture. This gives you the tools to live the experience with confidence and awareness.

🔹 Good habits for enjoying the experience with peace of mind

Palawan is friendly and welcoming, but it is still important to follow a few simple rules:
- Avoid moving around alone at night.
- Travel with other volunteers whenever possible.
- Always follow the local coordinator’s advice on transport, sea conditions, and the areas to visit.


💡 Our goal

is to offer you a safe, well-supported environment so you can focus on what really matters: learning, helping, and building real connections with the community.
🧭 Orientation day

Your experience in Palawan begins with a full day entirely dedicated to orientation, designed to give you all the tools you need to experience the project safely, consciously, and in full connection with the local community.

During the first Monday, you will take part in a programme led by the local team that includes:

- Welcome meeting, presentation of the programme, weekly activities, and house rules
- Practical advice on health, safety, and cultural norms to respect
- Introduction to Filipino culture, local customs and traditions, and short language lessons (basic Filipino)
- Area tour: supermarkets, useful landmarks, and activation of the local SIM card
- First discussion with the project coordinators to plan the week and start getting to know the area


Orientation is also an opportunity to meet the other volunteers, share expectations and motivations, and begin to feel part of a small community working towards a common purpose.

📌 From Tuesday, you will begin the field activities, but from day one you will already have all the tools to make the most of the experience.
To take part in the project in Palawan, we recommend booking a flight arriving at Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) on Sunday between 10:00 and 17:00.
During this time window, our free meet-and-greet and transfer service to the accommodation in Tigman village (Aborlan) is available.


Ideal arrival time: Sunday between 10:00 and 17:00

Outside these times: pick-up is not guaranteed and you will need to:

- If you arrive early: wait until the pick-up time
- Arrange a personalised transfer (for a fee), or
- Reach the accommodation independently by taxi (the journey takes about 90 minutes)


Please note: if you arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at the accommodation (additional charge).

📍 Meeting point on arrival

After passport control and baggage collection, head to the main exit of the arrivals terminal. A member of our staff will be there waiting for you with a sign showing your name. If you do not see them immediately, stay there: they are probably also waiting for other arriving participants. Emergency contacts will be provided as soon as your participation is confirmed.

🚕 Transfer to the accommodation

The journey from the airport to the village takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and you may share it with other volunteers arriving at the same time. The road is scenic, and from there you will already begin to step into Palawan’s rural atmosphere.

📱 Useful tip

We suggest buying a local SIM card (GLOBE) directly at the airport or as soon as you arrive in town. It will be very useful for staying in touch with the local team, the other volunteers, and home. If you prefer, you can also buy an eSIM in advance on Airalo

🧳 Check-in and check-out

- The included stay runs from Sunday (the day before the start) until Saturday morning (check-out by 12:00)
- Extra nights (before or after) are available on request for a small surcharge
- The programme officially begins on Monday morning with the orientation day


🚖 Departure and return flight recommendations

At the end of the project, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer to the airport or other destinations is not included in the programme, because there are usually many people leaving at different times and only a few coordinators.

In any case, our team will be happy to help you organise a taxi or a private transfer service shared with your travel companions!

We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house calmly in the morning and reach the airport without rushing (about a 30-minute drive).

🗓️ If you plan to continue your trip elsewhere

Let us know in advance so we can give you useful advice to organise your departure in the best possible way.

💡 After your participation is confirmed

We will send you a detailed document by email with all the updated practical information and the emergency contacts you may need.

📩 What to send before departure

As soon as you book your flight, send us:

- Airline
- Flight number
- Expected arrival time
- Any stopovers or changes


This way we can organise your arrival in the best possible way and guarantee you the support you need.
Still have questions?

Book your spot

Booking
1

Send your application (free!)

Choose the project that inspires you most and indicate the period you would like to travel. No commitment: the application is free and non-binding.

2

Meet your coordinator

After your application, we will put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They will explain everything in detail and answer all your questions.

3

Confirm your spot

When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.

4

Set off on your adventure!

Pack your bags and go! On arrival you will find other volunteers like you, a welcoming local team and an experience you will hardly forget.

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