World Wide Cultural Exchange has begun a new effort to showcase our alumni, share how exchange programs impact long-term, and inform participants about the opportunities they can seize after their exchange program titled “Alumni Network - Learning Their Stories”. This new series will be presented here on our blog and through Instagram Live, with different alumni featured on each platform.

Today we are sharing the volunteer efforts of Melvin Melchor, who was a culinary intern in 2016 at Patina Restaurant Groups in New York City. Melvin first shared about his volunteering in 2019 during International Education Week when we invited our alumni to tell us about their home community and culture:

These pictures were taken in one of the most depressed towns in my country Philippines. One part of our culture is giving care, extending help to the needy, and sharing our blessings to the less fortunate, so I planned to sponsor a feeding program in this small town because I noticed that most of the young children were under nourished and others were really malnourished.

We hope to inspire our alumni to lend themselves to their community by featuring Melvin’s dedication to his community, especially during this difficult year with the global effects of the pandemic. Melvin continues to address food insecurity within his community and has provided goods, such as rice, noodles, and canned good, to his neighbors in need.

Please introduce yourself to us!

Hi I’m Melvin Melchor from Tarlac, Philippines and a former wwce J1 Intern. I was born in Kalinga Province, Philippines, but I grew up at Tarlac, which is 3 hours drive to Manila, the capital of Philippines. I went to school at NCBA, Manila and have a degree in Business Administration. Then I took my Diploma in Culinary Arts at Dominican School, Tarlac, Philippines and LPU, Manila.

As of this time, because of this pandemic , I am concentrating on supplying rice to the different restaurants and individual houses in Manila. The rice I supply them is from my farm in my hometown. But most of my time is spent in baking cakes and pastries, which are ordered on occasions and events.

Reflecting on your exchange visitor program, what were the most valuable skill you gained? 

On my stay, the most valuable skills I gained are the following: time organization, self-discipline, team work, and especially the treatment of equality towards my colleagues. 

How has your intern program impacted you long term – either professionally or personally?

Personally, I think it was my whole self-development and determination to pursue my dreams that had an impact from my training there. 

You have volunteered a lot in your community, with multiple feeding programs to those in need. Can you please tell us about the volunteering you’ve done and what inspired you to start these projects?

In my birth place, I had witnessed the hardships of the populace there. Most of the children are malnourished and sickly. I discovered that the reason why they are in this condition is insufficient foods. Being a little bit better off than they, I had to share what I had. So I decided to sponsor feeding programs and during this pandemic people had no resources, so I had to help in the distributions of relief goods.

Do you have any advice to anyone who wants to start a similar program in their community?

 What I can advise is that those who have more than enough for themselves must share to the people in need.

What have you learned about people, community, or yourself through these volunteer projects?

I have learned from this project that it is uplifting giving hope to people. I have learned that helping and sharing materially or giving advices could make people happy.