FEATURE | The More You KNow!: The Evolution of Knowledge Channel’s Volunteer and Internship Program (KCVIP)
by John Carlo Caoile
As we celebrate Volunteerism Month at the Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI), it's the perfect time to reflect on the history and impact of our Volunteer and Internship Program, also known as KCVIP. This initiative has not only contributed significantly to the foundation’s mission of enhancing education in the Philippines but also provided invaluable experiences for more than a thousand volunteers and interns that Knowledge Channel has had throughout the years.
But before being officially known as KCVIP, the foundation’s volunteer program underwent several name changes and makeovers.
The Volunteer Management Program (VMP)
Launched in 2009, the Volunteer Management Program (VMP) was KCFI’s initial approach to organized volunteerism. Its main goal was to recruit volunteers who could help monitor the utilization of Knowledge Channel resources in public schools. This program established a structured process for managing volunteers, which included recruitment, training, monitoring, and recognition.
The VMP quickly became a vital component of KCFI’s operations, allowing volunteers to contribute directly to the foundation’s educational initiatives. Volunteers were involved in various tasks, from administrative support to fieldwork, ensuring that Knowledge Channel’s educational content was effectively reaching its intended beneficiaries.
The Knowledge Channel Internship Program (KCIP)
In 2017, KCFI officially expanded its volunteer efforts by rebranding VMP into the Knowledge Channel Internship Program (KCIP). This rebranding was part of a broader strategy to provide more meaningful and impactful experiences for student interns. KCIP aimed to attract a larger pool of college students by offering practical work experiences aligned with their fields of study.
The program saw a significant increase in participation, with 359 volunteers and interns joining from 2017 to 2019. The volunteers and interns, dubbed “Knowledge Movers,” were given opportunities to work on various projects, including content creation, research, and community outreach. KCIP’s success was evident as it helped interns develop essential skills while contributing to KCFI’s mission.
The Knowledge Channel Volunteer and Internship Program (KCVIP)
Building on the successes of VMP and KCIP, KCFI launched the Knowledge Channel Volunteer and Internship Program (KCVIP) in 2019. This program integrated the best aspects of its predecessors and introduced new elements to further enhance volunteer and intern experiences. KCVIP emphasized KCFI’s core values of social justice, passion to serve, commitment to holistic learning, integrity, and nationalism.
KCVIP quickly became a cornerstone of KCFI’s educational initiatives. Since the KCVIP launch in 2019, it has engaged 768 volunteers and interns from local and international educational institutions, with the number still on the rise. These participants have played crucial roles in projects like the Portable Media Library and the KC Innovation Lab, which aim to provide innovative learning resources and experiences to Filipino students and teachers.
KCVIP’s Continuing Momentum and Expansion
Despite having a small initial investment, the KCVIP program, which KCFI started to address the lack of funding of educational materials, has produced and continues to produce a significant amount of materials that benefit 600,000+ teachers and over 20 million students. Through the KCVIP, interns were also able to create, animate, and bring animation videos to life for elementary students. This project resulted in KCVIP receiving its third Lopez Achievement Award, the first under the Operations Management Category last 2019.
Today, KCVIP continues to be an essential part of KCFI’s efforts to improve education in the Philippines. The program adapts to the evolving needs of the educational sector, especially in the face of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. By transitioning to virtual internships and remote volunteering opportunities, KCVIP has maintained its momentum and expanded its reach during these unprecedented times
Throughout the years, KCVIP has offered a platform for volunteers and interns to develop professional and life skills, instilling in them the love and passion for education and community service, while also providing KCFI with fresh perspectives that improve the effectiveness of its educational programs. As of today, 1,127 volunteers and interns have been part of Knowledge Channel’s efforts to advance the education system in communities nationwide.
For those interested in joining this transformative journey, KCFI welcomes new volunteers and interns to be part of KCVIP. Together, we can engineer the learning experiences of the future and make a lasting impact on the lives of Filipino students.
Mas masaya matuto ng bago, kapag sama-sama tayo!
For more information on how to get involved, visit the Knowledge Channel Foundation website and follow Knowledge Channel on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X!