Elizabeth Mullan is three-quarters of the way through her 12-month AYAD assignment as “Child and Youth Music for Development Officer”, working with UCCP Tondo at the Smokey Mountain II dumpsite in Manila.  

She is inspired by works of the poet Mary Oliver who asked – “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Q: Tell us about your pre-AYAD life in Australia.
A: I came to the Philippines from Canberra, but my family live on the Gold Coast and I’m not yet sure where I will be next… Most recently I was finishing an Arts / Asian Studies (Specialist) degree at the Australian National University and coordinating the ANU Asia-Pacific Learning Community in my spare time.  

Q: What made you decide to go on assignment in the Philippines?
A: I was coming to the end of my degree and thinking about what to do next.  I thought I was getting maybe a little too comfortable in life and wanted something that would really challenge that – I certainly got what I asked for!  I strongly believe in the value of education, and have always enjoyed music, so I jumped at the opportunity to contribute, through music, to the education of Filipino children.

Q: You’ve been in the Philippines for some time now. What have been your best memories in the country so far?
A: Thursdays is Music, Arts and PE (MAPÉ) Day at the Day Care Center.  By far my best memories of my time here so far would have to be the kids’ enthusiasm on these fun, energy-filled mornings!  

Favourite moments include the day a box of hand puppets, decorated by German preschool children, arrived.  Our children were so excited they couldn’t keep still, so we had to send back mostly blurred photos as a thank you.  

Another week the children decorated frames with their family photos inside.  My counterpart and I had spent countless afternoons walking around the dumpsite taking these photos and it was worth every moment to see the kids so happy and proud to have something as special as this photo and frame to take home and share with their families.  

The day we read the book “Who sank the boat” it tickled the children’s imagination so much that they were rolling on the floor with laughter!  They wanted it read again and again and giggled and chattered the whole way through once they knew the punch line, even without understanding the English words.  

Finally, we taught them the “Butterfly Song” in Tagalog for their first ever performance five months ago and I love that they have never tired of it and request to sing it every morning, without fail!  

 

Elizabeth with the younger class outside the Day Care Center.

Q: Do you have any misconceptions/bad impressions about the Philippines that you proved entirely wrong?
A: My first impression of Manila was that I could never possibly find my way around such a big city, but I proved myself wrong and can now mostly navigate the city’s public transport system with ease! Also, I struggled to understand and be engaged in the history and culture of the Philippines, perhaps due to its complexity.  However, since living here and getting to know the people I can appreciate far more the country’s history and culture and I read it with fresh eyes and greater understanding.  

Q: Tell us about your assignment. How does this fit in the HO?   
A: My assignment is to develop a music education program for the children of Smokey Mountain II Day Care Center, located on the Smokey Mountain II dumpsite area in Manila.  My Host Organisation is the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Tondo.  In my role I have been working alongside local staff, in particular the Day Care Center teacher, to develop a specialist music education program as well as to integrate music into the curriculum to support children’s learning.  

In singing and performing songs, listening and responding to music, playing musical instruments and even creating instruments out of junk materials, we have provided opportunities to enhance the children’s self-esteem, build community spirit, aid their cognitive, emotional and physical growth, and reinforce the value of education.  Most of all, everyone has a lot of fun!  

Q: What’s the biggest challenge in your assignment? How did you respond to that?
A: My biggest challenge has probably been the flexible nature of life in the Philippines.  I came from a quite predictable and ordered lifestyle where I could, and often needed to, plan things month in advance.  Thus I initially struggled with fitting into a place where often no-one could anticipate what would happen the next hour, let alone the next day.  There would be rains or floods or typhoon warnings and classes would be cancelled; people would get sick, or stuck in traffic, or find something else to do so meetings and appointments would change or be postponed…  I was often in a state of confusion, operating on dates and times that were already several alterations out-of-date!  I have now learnt to quite enjoy the unexpected and flexible nature of it all – it’s surprisingly fun to be kept on your toes, when you know that that’s what’s going on!  

Q: What do you do in your spare time in your assignment location?
A: Since coming to the Philippines I have rediscovered the joys of reading so have had a lovely time ploughing through a huge pile of mostly non-fiction books these past months.  I also enjoy chika chika (chatting) and pika pika (snacking) with friends.  Another favourite pastime is walking through the small streets of my neighbourhood on my way to the markets or the bakery, chatting with friendly locals such as the pedicab drivers who sit on street corners whilst waiting for passengers.

Music time with the older kids.

Q: What are your top 3 Philippine destinations?
A: The Banaue rice terraces were stunning and took my breath away; I had a great time at Kinabuhayan Café Bed & Breakfast in San Pablo where we stayed in a treehouse (!) and ate the most delicious food; and my third favourite place, not for the tourism so much as for the wonderful friends I made whilst there, is Aringay, La Union.  
    
Q: Give us your top 3 favorite Filipino dishes.
A: Halo-halo (with corn, red beans, cheese, the works!); cassava cake; and kutsinta with coconut – I have a sweet tooth.

Q: How has the program helped or changed you as a person?
A: I think by far the products of this program which will have most significance to me as a person are the relationships formed with individuals at Smokey Mountain, in particular with my counterpart and the students.  I didn’t just stop by at the dumpsite for an afternoon – I will have stayed one year.  As we watched the landscape change, together we have taught, learnt, eaten, shared many happy times, as well as some sad.  For me, “the poor” is no longer an abstract concept; pictures I have seen, or people I have met in passing…  These people now have faces and names and as individuals they really mean something to me.  I am not sure that I will ever again find complete comfort in a comfortable life, and I think that’s not a bad thing!   

Q: Any message for those who are thinking twice about volunteering in the Philippines?
A: Don’t spend too much time thinking – the opportunity might pass you by.  Grasp it with both hands, and an open heart and mind.