MANILA, Philippines—By what other force could we Filipinos match the devastation and blows that calamities and poverty bring? How else would Filipinos, directly affected or those who read and hear about them, react? With bayanihan and bahaginan ingrained in our culture, the hands and heart of a volunteer are ready. The spirit is willing to give at the first sign of need.

Similarly, it was how the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP) came to be. It was when freedom was limited during the martial-law years that Fr. William “Bill” Kreutz, SJ, Fr. Noel Vasquez, SJ and Jesuit scholastics, formed a program that sought to respond to the call of service and contribute to development.

Looking for alternatives
With only a few NGOs at that time, many young people were looking for opportunities and alternatives where they can give their time and talent in the service of others. The program, even with limited resources, found graduates and young professionals who were attracted to the alternative way of being in solidarity with the marginalized, especially those in the countryside.

They recruited Jesuit volunteers who shared their skills, not ideologies, and carried their faith, not arms.

Founded in 1979, JVP was patterned after the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in the United States.

JVP is the longest-running domestic-volunteer-sending program in the country. For a year, with a possibility of a one-year extension, college graduates are sent to communities and organizations with insufficient resources across the country.

First JVPs
The first few batches of volunteers worked alongside either Jesuit-run institutions or rural schools. They taught in Mindanao and lived among indigenous communities. The volunteers recalled many fond memories of adjustments to a new language, food, climate and culture. Back then, there were no established volunteer orientations. The founders felt the need was urgent and the volunteers had to be sent as soon as possible.

They were just given general job descriptions, broad enough to include being catechists and youth formators. Back then, they were just briefly introduced to JVP core values, given boat tickets from Manila, came together as a batch for the mission Mass, and hoped they would see each other at the end of the year.

With the generous support of German organizations Misereor and Missio, the volunteers were given seminars and training to build their capacity as educators, NGO and parish workers, community organizers and youth formators. In 1993, JVP was formally established as a foundation. A program office was set up to support volunteers. Seminars were organized to evaluate volunteer performance and enhance skills.

Profile of a volunteer
In the seminars given to the volunteers, they deepen and grow in faith and understanding of the five core values. Inspired by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the volunteers embrace the values that guide them during their mission and throughout life. During the mission Mass, a volunteer is given a cross to symbolize the JVP core values—service, social justice, solidarity, simplicity and spirituality.

Graduates of other schools
So what does it take to be a Jesuit volunteer? One doesn’t have to graduate from the Ateneo universities in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Naga, Manila and Zamboanga. Although they serve as recruitment bases, graduates from other universities and colleges are welcome to apply and serve the full-term of 10 months.

There is no course requirement for one to volunteer, for one to serve. Graduates of applied chemistry, business, music, civil engineering, creative writing, nursing and law have applied and successfully finished their volunteer year.

Modest allowance
Contrary to what most people think, volunteers are provided with modest allowance for food, transportation and lodging. Beds may not always have a soft mattress or pillows and traveling may be atop vegetable-delivery trucks or on foot for hours. The volunteers embrace a life of simplicity.

The placement of each volunteer is based on one’s professional skills and personal qualities that fit a JVP partner institution’s request. To assess the volunteer’s performance and enhance skills, volunteers have three major seminars in a program year.

Twitter, Facebook
Regular communication with a program officer and formation staff, composed of former volunteers, is available as a form of support. Even in this age of Twitter, Facebook and SMS, volunteers still keep the tradition of mailing handwritten letters to one another to tell stories of their experiences, inspire one another and nurture the spirit of service. Wherever they are, the volunteers pause and pray for one another at 9 p.m.

Communities changed
Through the years, JVP has been involved in a wide range of development work. To name some, volunteers have been mentoring indigenous schoolchildren in the Cordilleras and in Bukidnon, teaching computer literacy to the deaf in Bacolod, raising funds for a differently abled community in Cainta, organizing fisherfolk in Zambales, supporting gender-advocacy programs in Naga and assisting people’s organizations in Eastern Samar.

Through partner institutions, the volunteers have facilitated education and life-skills programs for the Mangyan youth in Mindoro, and other beneficiaries in Payatas, South Cotabato and Iloilo. While it may be easy to measure a Jesuit volunteer’s success in terms of the number of proposals submitted, school days taught and funds raised, JVP chooses to measure its small victories in the lives improved and the positive change promoted through the help of its volunteers.

JVP at 30

JVP is humbled by the recognition given to it for its contribution to spreading hope through volunteerism. In 2005, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Office gave JVP the lifetime achievement award. Recently, the Quezon City government recognized JVP as an outstanding organization. Former volunteers, who completed the 10-month program, are organized into local chapters in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Naga, Manila and Zamboanga.

JVP envisions these professionals, who are now in various fields, to form a network of leaders not only to support JVP as a foundation but also to contribute to the country, all drawing from their rich experiences and learning from their volunteer work.

To date, JVP has sent more than 800 volunteers and engaged with as many rural schools, parishes and nongovernment and people’s organizations. Grateful for the support of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, Misereor, Missio, local benefactors and donors, JVP looks forward to more years of, like the full-pledged Jesuits, “going where there is greater need.”

Longest-running
JVP began when there was limited freedom and when resources were scarce. Yet, it has grown to be the longest-running organization of its kind. JVP proves that the heart of a volunteer and the willing spirit know no boundaries and season to reach out to others and serve. JVP hopes to be a testament that people helping people awaken the good within and build communities and the nation.

JVP celebrated its 30th anniversary with a reunion and general assembly in Cagayan de Oro on Nov. 27-28. For more information on JVP and how to become a volunteer, visit www.jvpfi.org.

(Nikki A. Hipolito was a Jesuit volunteer assigned in South Cotabato and Bukidnon. For three years, he was a JVP program officer.)