Fo Guang Shan (FGS) is an international Buddhist organization founded in 1967 in Taiwan by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. It practices Humanistic Buddhism, which aims to make Buddhism relevant in the world and in people's lives and hearts. Fo Guang Shan promotes interfaith dialogue to build mutual understanding and respect between diverse religious groups. In the Philippines, FGS primarily works with education of (esp. underprivileged) children and youth with a goal to foster country development and contribute to youth empowerment.

Storybook Project is designed to promote ethics and values among Filipino youth. During the project, the team will select local and Chinese fables, incorporate them into a book together with digitized illustrations made by children, and cooperate with Philippine Education Department to introduce the book as an educational material for public schools.

Responsibilities

Teaching Artist's role is to work with children on illustrating the book.

Main responsibilities include:

• Curriculum design
• Classes with children on selected medium (drawing, painting, etc.)
• Illustrations for the storybook as the main deliverable

Volunteer is also expected to contribute to other projects and classes with similar objectives and qualifications.

Location: FGS Mabuhay temple, Manila, the Philippines

Work schedule: 25–40 hours per week

Period: March 2013 to May 2013 (3 months) – flexible

Qualifications

• Your commitment to helping us fulfill our mission through great work
• MFA/BA in specific art form/related field, OR at least 2 years of equivalent professional experience
• Experience facilitating group discussions and activities with elementary, middle and high school youth
• Ability to design arts-based lessons, and adapt for various ages and abilities
• Self-directed and initiative-taking
• A team player, exhibits patience, culturally literate and enjoys working with youth
• Filipinos/Tagalog speakers preferred

If you do not possess all the desired qualifications, you are still encouraged to apply.

Remuneration

• Lodging provided (if staying at the temple, interns must comply with temple rules)
• Vegetarian meals provided three times daily
• Benefits of simple life, spiritual cultivation, learning about Buddhism and Chinese and Philippine cultures, authentic temple stay experience with the monastic

P.S. To volunteer for temple's activities, one doesn't need to be Buddhist, convert to Buddhism, shave their head, or anything like that. You also don't take on any obligations to the temple during or after your involvement. If you have any further concerns, just drop us a short mail.