To provide English language speaking environment for children to practice and improve their confidence in using a foreign language in communication.
PROJECT’S ACTIVITIES:
Nguyen Tri Primary School is a public primary school where English & French are an optional subject, as the government does not have financial support though all recognize the importance of language skills. With 1013 students, the school is a lively government centre situated in central Hanoi. The children, ranging from 6 to 10 years, do have some knowledge of the English language, but as is often the case for Vietnamese students, they have poor pronunciation due to their lack of contact with English speaking people.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT:
Situated just a few hundred meters south of West Lake, the school is very central. West Lake is a short walk away and the old quarter can be reached on foot in just 15 minutes.
VOLUNTEER’S REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteers should like to work with children, have maturity and initiative spirit. English native speakers preferred.
Age:
18 and over.
VOLUNTEERING PERIOD:
Minimum stay preferred 3 weeks. No placements in summer (May, June, July).
VOLUNTEER’S TASKS:
Volunteers will be expected to help with the following...
- Improving listening/speaking skills of children. - Improving pronunciation of children. - Organizing games and other activities in classrooms. - Assisting local teachers in managing the classes.
Normally volunteers will teach about 20 hours a week. Volunteers will always work with a local teacher. Volunteers can attend as well a Community English Class in VPV office; it takes place in the afternoon, for children living in the neighbourhood. Volunteers can join this class one or two days per week, depending on their schedule.
HOSTING SITUATION:
Volunteers will stay in a dormitory with rooms shared with other volunteers. Living conditions will be Vietnamese standard with separate bathroom, single bed with mattress. Food will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will be mostly local food, which vary from the daily cooking schedule. Volunteers, especially those who are vegetarian may be required to do some cooking. During working-days food is provided by the host placement.
To provide English language speaking environment for children to practice and improve their confidence in using a foreign language in communication.
PROJECT’S ACTIVITIES:
Vu The Lang School is a semi public school with about 800 students aged between 15-17 years old. Located in a province far away from the capital, there is very little chance for the children and teachers to meet foreigners to practice English and exchange communication skills. The investment in education is still very limited. English is still an optional subject in primary school without any financial support from the government, while the quality of English teaching is very limited due to the lack of practice and the low capacity of the teachers.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT:
Phu Tho province is a semi mountainous area where people do not have regular access to intercultural learning, or at least meeting foreigners. There is a potential for tourism development in the province and English is essential for future careers of the children.
VOLUNTEER’S REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteers should like to work with children, have maturity and initiative spirit. English native speakers preferred.
Age:
18 and over.
VOLUNTEERING PERIOD:
Minimum stay preferred 3 weeks. No placements in summer (May, June and July).
VOLUNTEER’S TASKS:
Volunteers will be expected to help with the following...
- Improving listening/speaking/reading/writing skills of students. - Improving pronounciation of students. - Organizing games and other activities in classrooms. - Assisting local teachers in managing the classes.
Normally volunteers will teach about 20 hours a week. Volunteers will always work with a local teacher. Volunteers can also participate in taking care of children in the local orphanage SOS Viet Tri.
HOSTING SITUATION:
Volunteers will stay in a dormitory with rooms shared with other volunteers. Living conditions will be Vietnamese standard with separate bathroom, single bed with mattress. Food will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will be mostly local food, which vary from the daily cooking schedule. Volunteers, especially those who are vegetarian may be required to do some cooking. During working-days food is provided by the host placement.
To provide foreign language (English) speaking environment for children to practice and improve their confidence in using a foreign language in communication.
PROJECT’S ACTIVITIES:
Nam Trung Yen Secondary School is one of many public schools in Hanoi's outskirts. English in these schools is an optional subject as the government does not have financial support though all recognize the importance of language skills. There are about 300 children aged from 11-15 years old who started learning English at grade 3 (9 years old). Teachers and children had not had many chances to meet and talk with foreigners until VFP-VIET sent its volunteers to help there.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT:
Nam Trung Yen Secondary School is in the outskirts of Hanoi, which is about 10km from city centre. There is very little chance for the children and teachers to meet foreigners to practice English and exchange communication skills.
VOLUNTEER’S REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteers should like to work with children, have maturity and initiative spirit. English native speakers preferred.
Age:
18 and over.
VOLUNTEERING PERIOD:
Minimum stay preferred 3 weeks. No placements in summer (May, June and July).
VOLUNTEER’S TASKS:
Volunteers will be expected to help with the following...
- Improving listening/speaking skills of children. - Improving pronounciation of children. - Organizing games and other activities in classrooms. - Assisting local teachers in managing the classes.
Normally volunteers will teach about 20 hours a week. Volunteers will always work with a local teacher. Volunteers can attend as well a Community English Class in VPV office; it takes place in the afternoon, for children living in the neighbourhood. Volunteers can join this class one or two days per week, depending on their schedule.
HOSTING SITUATION:
Volunteers will stay in a dormitory with rooms shared with other volunteers. Living conditions will be Vietnamese standard with separate bathroom, single bed with mattress. Food will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will be mostly local food, which vary from the daily cooking schedule. Volunteers, especially those who are vegetarian may be required to do some cooking. During working-days food is provided by the host placement.
To provide English language speaking environment for children to practice and improve their confidence in using a foreign language in communication.
PROJECT’S ACTIVITIES:
The Van Lang secondary school teaches approximately 1,700 children, ranging in age from 11 to 15 years old. The children of this school are all students that were allowed entrance into the school due to have achieved good primary school results. These achievements, recognized by the school board and teachers, are not taken for granted and the concentration lies on educating the children by getting the most out of their potential. Located in a province far away from the capital, there is very little chance for the children and teachers to meet foreigners to practice English and exchange communication skills. The investment on education is still very limited. English is still an optional subject in primary school without any financial support from the government, while the quality of English teaching is very limited due to the lack of practice and the low capacity of the teachers.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT:
Phu Tho province is a semi mountainous area where people do not have regular access to intercultural learning, or at least meeting foreigners. There is a potential for tourism development in the province and English is essential for future careers of the children.
VOLUNTEER’S REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteers should like to work with children, show maturity and initiative spirit. English native speakers preferred.
Age:
18 and over.
VOLUNTEERING PERIOD:
Minimum stay preferred 3 weeks. No placements in summer (May, June and July).
VOLUNTEER’S TASKS:
Volunteers will be expected to help with the following...
- Improving listening/speaking/reading/writing skills of students. - Improving pronounciation of children. - Organizing games and other activities in classrooms. - Assisting local teachers in managing the classes.
Normally volunteers will teach about 20 hours a week. Volunteers will always work with a local teacher. Volunteers can also participate in taking care of children in the local orphanage SOS Viet Tri.
HOSTING SITUATION:
Volunteers will stay in a dormitory with rooms shared with other volunteers. Living conditions will be Vietnamese standard with separate bathroom, single bed with mattress. Food will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will be mostly local food, which vary from the daily cooking schedule. Volunteers, especially those who are vegetarian may be required to do some cooking. During working-days food is provided by the host placement.
To provide English language speaking environment for disadvantaged youth and develop their English communicative skills.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
This is one of six shelters of the HCMC Women’s Charity Union. It is was built by Mrs Jean Houlmann. Since it was established it has been managed by Miss Huynh Tuyet Nga and the children here call her “Mother Nga”. At the moment, there are 27 children living here - 12 children in primary school, 11 children in secondary school and 4 children in high school. Almost all of them are in a poor situation, some are abandoned, some are orphans, and some have their mother or father in prison. Although, having different situations and coming from different places in Vietnam, but they now live in love and solidarity together, and those are the greatest moral powers that help them to live and to study. They go to school outside of the centre six days a week, some study in the morning, and others in the afternoon.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteers do not need experience in teaching, although would it would definitely be useful. Volunteers should be prepared to share stories, sing and dance. The content of the class follows a book, and lessons are to be prepared beforehand by volunteers. Local Vietnamese volunteers from VPV also join the volunteer in every class to provide translation, support and control where necessary, and to also to make our volunteers more comfortable especially when first starting. Adaptability and quick thinking is needed to teach children with different ages and abilities.
VOLUNTEER TASKS:
Although an all-boys shelter, both male and female volunteers are welcome here. Volunteers teach English at this project and VPV has also organised activities there on special days such as Christmas. Teaching follows a local book. The boys are all of different ages and so have different English abilities.
VOLUNTEERING PERIOD:
Ongoing project. Minimum stay preferred is one month.
HOSTING SITUATION:
Volunteers will stay in a dormitory with rooms shared with other volunteers. Living conditions will be Vietnamese standard with separate bathroom, single bed with mattress. Food will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will be mostly local food, which vary from the daily cooking schedule. Volunteers, especially those who are vegetarian may be required to do some cooking. During working-days food is provided by the host placement.
Separated into two locations in Ba Dinh and Dong Da districts of central Hanoi.
THEME OR TYPE OF PROJECT:
Mentally Disabled Children
AIMS OF THE PROJECT:
The centre's mission is to provide opportunities for children with mental impairment to receive an education, and to feel included with their local community. In particular, the centre provides assistance for those children suffering from developmental disabilities including Down's Syndrome, Autism and Cerebral Palsy. As well as early grade academic learning, the education programs include physical education and therapy, yoga, painting and poetry.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
The Hope Centre is a non-profit, non-governmental day care organization based in Hanoi for the care of mentally impaired children. Separated into two locations in Ba Dinh and Dong Da districts of central Hanoi, the Centre currently provides care for around 60 children (approximately 45 in Ba Dinh, 15 in Dong Da) between the ages of 3 and 12, cared for by a total of 16 staff (10 in Ba Dinh, 6 in Dong Da). As well as early grade academic learning, the education programs include physical education and therapy, yoga, painting and poetry. In addition to the staff, there are also frequently volunteers from the local University that give up their time to assist at the centre, providing volunteers from VPV with even more opportunities to make friends and gain knowledge of Vietnamese culture.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT:
Both of the centres are located close to the centre of Hanoi. Located in the north of Vietnam, the capital city has over 3.5 million people and is the second biggest city in the country.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteers should like to work with disabled children and show maturity and initiative spirit.
Preference:
Volunteers with background or experience in medical work or disability. However, volunteers without experience or background will still be able to join in different work as children are very excited with foreigners.
VOLUNTEER TASKS:
With professional experience or qualifications in the field of care for children with learning difficulties, Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy or Autism, a volunteer will be able to help staff with clinical and special educational assistance, however those without will still have a full day between 8am and 4pm; assisting with classes, organizing activities, and providing the love and care that the children of the centre need.
VOLUNTEERING PERIOD:
Ongoing project. Minimum period of stay - 2 weeks.
HOSTING SITUATION:
Volunteers will stay in a dormitory with rooms shared with other volunteers. Living conditions will be Vietnamese standard with separate bathroom, single bed with mattress. Food will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will be mostly local food, which vary from the daily cooking schedule.
- Help street children to have the opportunity to improve their ability in integrating with society. - Help children who earn their living on the streets to know how to communicate with basic English and to use a computer. - Give cultural and social knowledge in order to gain self-confidence.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
Tu Xuong Center is a centre for street children that offers English and computing classes, which has developed and grown due to the help and support of the Catholic Solidarity Committee. It is also part of the Friends For Street Children (FFSC) organization. It has helped over 40 pupils in improving listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in basic English. The pupils learn English and computing and some of them can achieve English examining certificates, as well as having English conversational skills. In addition, if the pupils know basic computing-English they can receive sponsor-parents and receive scholarship from people who are introduced by the ‘Smile For Life’ organisation. This scholarship will help them continue their studies in the centre or they can learn a trade which is suitable for their needs and their abilities. Afterwards, when they grow up, they can earn and live by independent means. After a year of studying almost all pupils can communicate in English with foreigners when they are working on the streets and are competent at using a computer. They also join in festivals, cultural exchange events and picnics, which help them in developing as people and give greater self confidence in their life. For that reason, Tu Xuong Centre continues to be a place for all children who have desire to learn as well as have a healthy life in order to help them develop more and help provide them a better life.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteers do not need experience in teaching and with the children being a little older, having a greater knowledge in English, and with the help from the centre's director, the classes are a good way to introduce teaching to an inexperienced volunteer. Volunteers should be prepared to share stories, sing and probably dance.
VOLUNTEER TASKS:
Volunteers from VPV are sent here to teach English for the children. Content is followed from a book and guided by the director of the centre. The children's age range from about 13-18 so the English level of some children can be quite good. Volunteers can also arrange extra activities such as days-out or a special day as well as join in other events offered by the centre on occasion. There are 3 different classes that are available to our volunteers. There is a classes in the morning, afternoon and evening which are 3 times a week. Volunteers are usually given either the morning or afternoon class with the evening class being optional. Classes are 1,5 hours. The classes run from Monday to Friday, with Saturday and Sunday free.
VOLUNTEERING PERIOD:
Ongoing project. Minimum stay preferred is one month.
HOSTING SITUATION:
Volunteers will stay in a dormitory with rooms shared with other volunteers. Living conditions will be Vietnamese standard with separate bathroom, single bed with mattress. Food will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will be mostly local food, which vary from the daily cooking schedule. Volunteers, especially those who are vegetarian may be required to do some cooking. During working-days food is provided by the host placement.
Mentally and physically disabled children and war veterans.
AIMS OF THE PROJECT:
The aim of the program is to provide an opportunity for the children in the village to open themselves with the community, especially with foreign volunteers. This will also enable the volunteers to learn about the continued consequence of the war which ended 3 decades ago to give a hand to heal the wound.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
Vietnam Friendship Village opened its doors in 1993 to treat children and veterans suffering from the effects of Agent Orange (which was used during the US-Vietnam War). The children, whose fathers or grandfathers were exposed (causing chromosomal damage) or who were contaminated from their mother's milk, suffer from a range of difficult conditions. While at the Friendship Village, children and veterans are nourished and are provided with free medical care; the children, who may be there for a period of years, receive their basic education as well as some forms of job training.
The Organic Gardening Project was launched in 2004 with the goal of creating islands with an harmonious approach to agriculture within areas of environmental and human devastation - increasing awareness of the consequences of war and, at the same time, demonstrating positive strategies for healing and living. The farm now is providing about 60% of the vegetable for the Village. It is hoped that it will be able to cover all the local need and to sell out some of the products to get money for the children.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT:
Vietnam Friendship Village is located in Ha Tay province, just 15km from Hanoi Capital.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteers should...
- have high motivation for helping people. - be open to work with local people of different backgrounds and levels of cultural understanding. - be prepared to work with high level of activeness and creativeness.
VOLUNTEER TASKS:
Volunteers will be expected to help with the following...
- Assisting farming work. - Organizing games and other activities for children. - Teaching English for some children. - Joining vocational training classes. - Assisting rehabilitation work.
Normally volunteers will work about 20 hours a week.
VOLUNTEERING PERIOD:
Ongoing project. Minimum period of stay - 2 weeks.
HOSTING SITUATION:
Volunteers will stay in a dormitory with rooms shared with other volunteers. Living conditions will be Vietnamese standard with separate bathroom, single bed with mattress. Food will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will be mostly local food, which vary from the daily cooking schedule.
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
yap-uk
0844 20 90 927
