Tuesday, 13 October, 2009

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:09:00 05/24/2009

WHILE other volunteer groups from developed countries send in raw youth, the Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) has for almost 11 years brought to the Philippines experts with a minimum of 5 to 10 years of experience in their fields of specialization.

These fields range from agriculture to zoology and all the other alphabet letters in between.

Waya V. Araos, Philippines country manager for ABV, said the volunteers focused on three areas: Business development, governance and education.

She said they specifically helped local governments with fiscal management, environmental projects, human resources management, even improving public school teachers’ proficiency in English.

The ABV’s approach is, according to its organizational manifesto, “based on the principle that practical work skills training is the best form of aid … It enables our clients to run their businesses or organizations more effectively with benefits flowing to the larger community.”

These benefits are: More job opportunities, more stable economy, confidence, prosperity and independence.

Sharing skills

Araos’ responsibility is to bring in 20 Australians a year to work in various projects in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Cebu, and Bohol.

These volunteers share their skills and knowledge in elementary and high school teacher training, special education for the hearing impaired, information technology, grant and proposal writing for non-government and people’s organizations, business planning, product development and improving the showroom display of the Association of Negros Producers in Bacolod, and jewelry design for an exporter of fancy jewelry in Cebu.

“ABV doesn’t give money,” Araos said. “The technical assistance provided by one volunteer who works here for at least two months is worth at least P2 million. The organization is choosy about its clients. We pick clients who are ready and open to suggestions to make changes.

“They are willing and have the capacity to make investments to carry out these changes. In some places, the people might not be ready for the assistance. They may need it but don’t know how to use it.”

Local champion

For instance, in Cebu, there is a Don Bosco branch that has workers and machines to manufacture screws, gates and anything made of steel. The volunteer assigned there helped in product development and taught the staff how to market these products.

Araos also said one reason the ABV has kept working with the province of Bohol, particularly the municipality of Danao, was that they have a local champion in Natividad R. Gonzaga, a philanthropist who helped put up the Jose L. Gonzaga Farmers’ Foundation Inc.

“The likelihood of success and sustainability is greater when you have someone like her,” Araos said.

She added that Bohol was fortunate to have Governor Erico Aumentado, who knew how to position the province in terms of getting infrastructure grants and who has professionals in his team.

“Those guys are beyond politics,” Araos said. “The governor’s management team underwent lots of training. They know what they’re doing. If you’re a donor, you’re gung-ho to work with them. They’re transparent.”

Elizabeth Lolarga, contributor

---