In this elegant study of the entanglement of literacy practices with volunteering in vulnerable communities in the Philippines, Millora reveals striking contradictions in the work of development agencies. Millora's vivid account leaves little doubt that, to grasp the role of literacy practices in the continued reproduction of processes of social stratification, literacy learning needs to be studied in social practice rather than as the imparting of a neutral technology or set of skills. Based on the idea of insider-outsider epistemologies and rendered through fine scale ethnographic detail and reflections, this book is an important contribution to studies on adult learning, literacy and social change.

Dr Catherine Kell, School of Education at the University of Cape Town, South Africa

This book makes a great contribution to the growing body of scholarship exploring volunteering outside the 'global North'. If you want to better understand how volunteering does more than 'service delivery' - in this case, how it shapes adult learning and literacies amongst young people in the Philippines - then I recommend reading this this book!

Professor Matt Baillie Smith, Northumbria University, UK

Chris Millora offers refreshing insights on the value of volunteering to the volunteers themselves. Local Volunteering, Adult Learning and Social Change in the Philippines showcases the importance of culture in understanding the diverse categories, components, modalities and impacts of volunteering. Supported by a culturally appropriate framework and a recognition of Kapwa (self-in-relation-to-others) as a Filipino value in human interactions, the research presents a welcome perspective from the Global South on volunteering as a way of life and everyday volunteering practices in the Philippines. Using ethnography and case studies, Millora charts new waters by calling attention to learning and societal factors attendant to a more holistic appreciation of volunteerism. This book is a must-read for educators, policy makers, volunteers, volunteer managers and all those who have benefited from the kindness of volunteers and the generosity of community volunteer partners.

Grace H. Aguiling-Dalisay, President Emeritus, Philippine Network of VOICE Volunteers ( VOICE Network ) and Lecturer, University of the Philippines Diliman