Jesuit Volunteers Philippines Foundation Inc.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

What is JVP?

The Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP) Foundation, Inc. is a volunteer organization that sends fresh graduates and young professionals to under-resourced communities nationwide for one mission year. Volunteers are prepared and assisted by the foundation in developing the skills necessary to address basic community needs, whether as teachers, campus ministers, parish or community development workers. It is hoped that the volunteers' work will empower both the volunteers and the community they serve for them to continuously work towards building a just society.

What are the qualifications of a Jesuit Volunteer?

An applicant must be single, a Filipino citizen, between 18 to 35 years old, at least a college graduate, and should be willing to be assigned anywhere in the Philippines to serve full-time for one volunteer term.

The volunteers are screened using the following criteria: (1) Alignment to the JVP Core Values of Service, Social Justice, Solidarity, Simplicity and Spirituality (2) Involvement in Community, Parish and School / Office (if applicable) (3) Knowledge, Skills and Training (4) Key Personal Qualities.

How long is the JVP Year of Service?

A volunteer's commitment with JVP spans approximately one year, beginning in May at the start of the Pre-Orientation Seminar and ending in April of the following year at the end of the Yearend Evaluation and Synthesis Seminar.

What kind of support is given to the volunteers?

In order for JVPs to deliver effective service, the Foundation provides the following opportunities, support, and assistance to nurture the volunteers' professional, psycho-spiritual, and emotional growth:

A. Seminars and skills training

At the beginning of the year, volunteers undergo a pre-orientation seminar and Orientation and Skills Training Seminar ( ORSEM / STP ) to teach them basic skills they can use in their areas of assignments, and to strengthen their psycho-spiritual preparation for the volunteer year ahead. After the first semester of their year of service, the volunteers gather in the Midyear Evaluation and Skills Enhancement Seminar to assess their personal and communal growth and their effectiveness in the area of assignment. At the end of their term of service, the Yearend Evaluation and Synthesis Seminar allows the volunteers to look back their year of service and prepares them for life after JVP.

Within each seminar, the Program Officers for Volunteer Service (POVS) schedule an Individual Consultation (IC) session with the volunteer to discuss growth in the JVP Core Values, work concerns and personal / professional adjustments in the area. The volunteers may also seek an IC with any Formation Staff member within the Orientation, Midyear and Yearend Seminars.

B. Monitoring and Supervision

During the service year, the JVP program officers conduct two supervisory visits to observe the volunteer's general well-being, work performance and community relations. The first supervisory visits (SV - 1) are usually scheduled within late July to early September. This is an opportunity for the program officer to observe the volunteer at work, ensure safety and comfort in the volunteer's accommodation and work environment. A three-way meeting is conducted with the volunteer, program officer and work supervisor to discuss initial work adjustments and work targets for the next three months. The SV – 1 is also an opportunity for the volunteer to have individual consultation (IC) with the program officer.

At the second supervisory visits (SV - 2) scheduled within January to February, the volunteer, work supervisor and the program officer sit a three – way meeting within the supervisory visit in preparation for the turn – over of the volunteer's tasks. Recommendations for the institution's next program year as well as the volunteer's significant learning experiences are also discussed in the said meeting.

C. Supplementary Materials

Another support mechanism for the volunteers is the provision of publications and educational materials, which can be use if in their work and by their clients.

D. Avenues for community and prayer life

Prayer is an important aspect of JVP. At 9 p.m. every night, the JVP community - volunteers, alumni, parents and friends - is encouraged to pause and say synchronized prayers for the volunteers.

Volunteers with partners in the area are also asked to have regular TSPs (talking, sharing and praying) to support each other. TSP infuses the element of prayer in what would regularly just be a "kumustahan" (checking-up on each other) or "kwentuhan" (sharing), thus emphasizing that the volunteers do not journey on their own.

A letter cycle is also encouraged among the volunteers. This system ensures that within the duration of the service year, all volunteers would have written each of their batchmates at least one letter, thus strengthening the community spirit among the batch.

E. Financial Requirements

JVP, through the support of donors, shoulders the volunteers' travel costs to and from the various placements, as well as board and lodging and training expenses during seminars. If financially capable, the placement institutions shoulder the costs of board and lodging, and provide minimal living allowances for the volunteer in his or her area of assignment. Otherwise, JVP shoulders their costs and allowances.

How are the volunteers financially supported?

The monthly living allowances for volunteers vary according to the economic condition of their place of assignment. This amount normally allows for a simple standard of living, enough to cover their board and lodging, transportation, communication and other personal needs.

Some partner institutions are able to give volunteers full compensation for their services, while others are only able to provide partial living allowance. At a minimum, the requesting institutions are asked to shoulder the volunteers' board and lodging. Volunteers may live with local families, in dorms, in staff houses, or in rented apartments.

In cases where the volunteer's allowance from the placement institution is greater than the computed cost of living in a given area, the volunteer is asked to contribute the excess to JVP's common fund. The common fund is used by JVP to subsidize other volunteers whose allowances from their placement institutions are not sufficient.

What is the JVP lifestyle?

Jesuit volunteers live simply and spend based on their stipends and needs. They use their possessions insofar as they help them know and do God's will. Their possessions should not prevent them from integrating with the community.

Do volunteers get insurance?

Jesuit volunteers have an accident insurance policy. In case a volunteer encounters an accident during his mission year, the insurance policy covers the expenses for medication and treatment. Volunteers who suffer from an illness even before becoming a Jesuit volunteer are asked to shoulder their special medication or to bring it with them to the area. If they get sick in the area (e.g. fever, tonsilitis), JVP covers the expenses for their check-up and medicine. The volunteers are asked to submit to JVP a medical certificate and the receipts for their medicines.

When are volunteers allowed to go home?

Jesuit volunteers are required to stay in their area for the duration of their mission year. They are allowed to go home only in cases of emergency (e.g. illness or death of immediate family members). Being a Jesuit volunteer in the area does not only mean doing assigned work, but also being present in the community and in solidarity with the people. This allows the volunteers to take part in the culture and tradition of the communities they serve.

During Christmas break, the volunteer has the option to go home at his or her expense for the duration allowed by the supervisor.

Can family and friends visit the volunteers in their area?

Visits by family and friends are highly discouraged, especially during the first three months of the service year. Aside from hindering the volunteer's integration in the area, it can also upset the psychological-emotional balance of the volunteer.

How are areas chosen?

Institutions requesting for Jesuit volunteers undergo screening and ranking . They are required to submit accomplished JVP forms containing a profile of the community and the kind of work of the volunteers. Upon receipt of the request and the forms, a JVP representative, or Program Officer conducts a social investigation (SI) in the area and the institution. The SI allows JVP to check on the security/peace and order situation of the community, the urgency of the need for volunteers, the place of work, the living arrangements and the institution's clientele.

A Screening Committee for Institutions (SCI) composed of the Executive Director, National Chaplain and two Program Officers for Volunteer Service deliberates on the requests for volunteers based on the following criteria: (1) Urgency of the Need for Volunteer(s) (2) Nature and Scope of Work (3) Support Structure for the Volunteer (4) Promotion of Volunteerism.

A letter from the SCI will be sent to inform the institution representative of the screening and ranking results for the program year.

How is the institution-volunteer matching done?

An applicant's educational background, work experience, involvement in community, office / school, parish activities and other extra-curricular activities as well as his/her skills and capabilities are part of the major considerations in matching volunteers to the qualified areas.

Although the applicant's preference is considered, this remains secondary to the JVP's policy of matching the volunteers to the qualified area/work where his or her service is deemed most effective.