The end goal of the Thuy An centre is to help children reintegrate into society, insofar as this is possible. The means for achieving this is by providing vocational training that will enable financial independence in the future, but also by giving them confidence in themselves and if possible, teaching them English.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
Founded in 1976, the Thuy An centre for disabled children is located approximately 50 km West of Hanoi, in the Thuy An commune. The centre originally opened its doors to disabled children of Vietnam war veterans, their disabilities often having been caused by the U.S military's spraying of ‘Agent Orange' during the U.S-Vietnam war. Over time, however, the centre has opened its services to all disabled children. The Thuy An centre is a ‘campus' housing up to 150 children and 50 members of staff. The children, aged from new-born babies to 18 year old young adults, suffer from mental and/or physical disabilities and are helped in any of three ways, depending on the extent of their disability, they receive: 1. Rehabilitation, consisting of physical therapy, orthopaedic surgery (Galvanic electrolysis, ultrasound, laser acupuncture), backbone relaxation treatment and the provision of and assistance with the use of aid equipment.
2. Education/Vocational training, consisting of special education, integration education, vocational training, sewing, wool knitting, embroidery and computer teaching.
3. Upbringing and care: The children are looked after well by staff members whose lives require extraordinary responsibility and self discipline.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT:
The centre is located in the commune of Thuy An, approximately 50 kilometres west of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteers should be able to work with disabled children and have maturity and initiative spirit.
VOLUNTEER TASKS:
Volunteers would be able to assist the staff in their work with the children by helping with rehabilitation, organizing sports and / or extra curricular activities, or by teaching English to staff members and, if possible, to the children. There are also plans to begin an organic farming programme, to grow fruit and vegetables for those volunteers happy to get their hands dirty!
VOLUNTEERING PERIOD:
Ongoing project. Minimum period of stay - 2 weeks.
HOSTING SITUATION:
The volunteer will live in the centre in a room of Vietnamese standard. If more than one volunteer is in the centre they will most likely share a room. The volunteer will eat with the staff.
The aim of the centre is to provide care for the children who have mental and physical disabilities. They provide physical and mental therapy to try and give them some skills to move them as close as possible to independent living.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
Thi Nghe is located in Binh Thanh District in Ho Chi Minh City. From 1875 to 1976 it was a refuge for the homeless, the elderly and those suffering from incurable illnesses. In 1976 the Social Welfare Department of Vietnam assumed control and is now exclusively for the care of abandoned, handicapped children. It is a large centre which is currently caring for over 400 abandoned children. Nearly all of the children here have disabilities, with about 150 suffering from cerebral palsy. When arriving at the centre most of the abandoned children are also malnourished. There are around 230 staff working at Thi Nghe, who welcome both local and international volunteers to help care and play with the children. Thi Nghe Centre facilities include a fully equipped physiotherapy area, an infirmary, laboratory, 12 classrooms, a sewing workshop and a domestic science class. In 1994, a teaching farm was set up in Bao Loc, 200km north of HCMC for young adults. It currently has 67 young people learning and receiving training in how to cultivate tea, coffee, vegetables and fruit, as well as working with farm animals. They also cook and do general housekeeping.
COMMUNITY CONTEXT:
Thi Nghe is located in Binh Thanh District in Ho Chi Minh City.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:
No experience is necessary but any time spent working with children or disabled children does have a big advantage. Volunteers should be patient, adaptable and have the ability to accept that conditions and practices may be different in Vietnam. Lots of energy is also needed.
VOLUNTEER TASKS:
Volunteers at this center have a choice of working with different ages of children. There are various different rooms which the children stay, and are divided into similar ages. Time can be spent going from room to room but most volunteers usually choose a room to work for the duration of the time so they can understand the children and better facilitate their needs. Rehabilitation is mostly done by qualified physiotherapists working at the center but there is various equipment available for volunteers to help the children, as well as sensory room which can be used for a few children at a time. Feeding is a slow process and with many children to feed this is an important part of the work as different methods are required to feed each child At the center there is a morning session (3 hours) and afternoon session (2.5 hrs) returning to the accommodation over the lunch period. Working days are from Monday to Friday with Saturday and Sunday free.
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. Volunteers, especially those who are vegetarian may be required to do some cooking. During working-days food is provided by the host placement.
TET Festival is a Vietnamese traditional New Year Holiday (following Lunar Calendar) which usually falls into mid January – mid February. This is the time for family reunion and visits to friends and relatives. Like the Christmas and New Year in western countries, people here prepare a lot for this holiday, from renovating their houses, making cakes and a lot of food and drink. However, in the orphanages children do not have enough to prepare for their holiday. Most of them stay in the orphanage or centers over the Tet, only some of them go back to their home villages. Thus there is a need to prepare something for those children so they still have a good time and enjoy such big holidays. In Hanoi area, an international workcamp will be set up to prepare Tet holidays in Ha Cau Orphanage and Hanoi Welfare Center in Tu Liem district.
Work:
Volunteers will help renovating the houses, cleaning the site and making Chung Cake (traditional cake for children in Tet).
Age:
18+
Study Theme:
Disadvantaged children in Vietnam.
Accommodation:
Shared rooms in project site. Sleeping on floor. Showers and toilets available. Food prepared by vols with support from local people.
Location:
Tay Mo, Tu Liem District, Hanoi.
Travel:
Hanoi Airport, 1 hour drive to the west.
Qualifications:
Interest and motivation working with children in difficult situation.
Leisure Activities:
Vietnamese Day, International Day, self-organized city tour and excursions, etc.
TET Festival is Vietnamese traditional New Year Holiday (following Lunar Calendar) which usually falls into mid January – mid February. This is the time for family reunion and visits to friends and relatives. Like Christmas and New Year in western countries, people here prepare a lot for this holiday, from renovating their houses, making cakes and a lot of food and drink. However, in the orphanages children do not have anyone to prepare for this holiday. Most of them stay in the orphanage or centers over the Tet, and only some of them go back to their home villages. Thus there is a need to prepare something for those children so they still have a good time and enjoy this important holiday. In Ho Chi Minh City area, an international workcamp will be set up to prepare Tet holidays in Ky Quang Orphanage and Chua La Orphanage.
Work:
Volunteers will help renovating the houses, cleaning the site and making Chung Cake (traditional cake for children in Tet).
Age:
18+
Study Theme:
Disadvantaged children in Vietnam
Accommodation:
Shared rooms in project site. Sleeping on floor. Showers and toilets available. Food prepared by volunteers with support from local people.
Location:
Phu Nhuan District, HCMC.
Travel:
Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN).
Qualifications:
Interest and motivation working with children in difficult situations.
Leisure Activities:
Vietnamese Day, International Day, self-organized city tour and excursions, etc.
It's the first year SJ Vietnam has implemented social traveling camps (STC). These can vary greatly in subject such as environmental, educational, art, transportation, and social work. One traditional characteristic, originating from work camps, is that both international and national volunteers organize voluntary activities, discussions, exchange parties, school visits and sports programs. The new features of social traveling camps are to expand voluntary fields into environment, transportation, and culture as well as to help and arrange short excursions for volunteers for an additional but reasonable cost. These are high quality, cultural and recreational activities at weekends. Not only do volunteers have opportunities of doing charity work but also savoring Vietnamese scenery and culture.
Location:
Bell Village specializing in making traditional Vietnamese hats, called "Nón", Ha Tay Province
Special Skills:
Volunteers must be enthusiastic about protecting the environment, love children, and willing to teach English.
Project Duration:
From 2 weeks to 1 month throughout the year.
Details:
Volunteers will have a chance of joining the manufacturing process for traditional Vietnamese hats, called "Nón". Through this they will gain a deeper understanding of some aspects of Vietnamese cultures, and learn to make hats by yourself! Also, you will be our "green agents", to do PR programs, raising awareness within the local people of the importance of the surrounding environment i.e cleaning, gathering rubbish, organizing environmental discussion, or planting trees. Furthermore, you will also organize English classes for the children. Many children in these traditional handicraft villages are disadvantaged, so are very eager to learn English. The volunteers will be arranged home stay in the village. You will have a great opportunity of savoring countryside meals, experiencing Vietnamese lifestyle, and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Cost:
300 Euro for 2 weeks, 400 Euro for 3 weeks, and 500 Euro for 1 month
It’s the first year SJ Vietnam has implemented social traveling camps (STC). These can vary greatly in subject such as environmental, educational, art, transportation, and social work. One traditional characteristic, originating from work camps, is that both international and national volunteers organize voluntary activities, discussions, exchange parties, school visits and sports programs. The new features of social traveling camps are to expand voluntary fields into environment, transportation, and culture as well as to help and arrange short excursions for volunteers for an additional but reasonable cost. These are high quality, cultural and recreational activities at weekends. Not only do volunteers have opportunities of doing charity work but also savoring Vietnamese scenery and culture.
Location:
Hanoi, The capital of Vietnam.
Special Skills:
Teaching and creative skills would be useful, but a love of children is imperative.
Project Duration:
1 month periods throughout the year.
Details:
The Vietnamese children's day on June 1st, will be our first day in the Kindergarten, so we will hold a party to celebrate their day. Also, we will organize English classes, and do other activities to help the kindergarten, such as cleaning, organizing games for children, etc. Your creativity will be highly appreciated, so you can contribute your ideas about funny games that children can enjoy. It’s very important to let disadvantaged children know that they can trust you, so that you can then begin interacting, and therefore making your time here most meaningful. It will also be a good time for all participants to learn about each others different cultures. This is done by working in a group with both Vietnamese and foreign volunteers.
This is a charity school managed by volunteers for poor street children who have no access to formal education system. The children come from one of the poorest fishing communities, who live under Long Bien Bridge, Red River, Ha Noi. Some of the children are forced to work and earn money by their parents from as young as 4-5 years old. The tasks of the volunteers will range from keeping the school clean, to teaching and cooking a free lunch for the children.
Accommodation and Food:
Volunteers will live in Youth House 1 which has dormitory beds. Water and light is provided. Lunch will be at the work place and dinner at the Youth House 1 after work.
Program:
Work starts at 9 am and rotates in duty. A group (Team 1) will go to the market to buy food for lunch with local volunteers. Team 2: will teach children and Team 3 will clean the house. You will have lunch with children and in the evening you can go out or cook by yourself.
Location:
Our house is close to the city center. Volunteers will have the chance to visit and explore many historical places as well as the local Vietnamese shops.
Participation fee:
We are a non-profit organization with no external income, so we charge volunteers coming from developed countries a participation fee of 150 Euro per workcamp. You can pay in US Dollars or Vietnam Dong, and includes your accommodation, food, scholarship, donation, festivals for disadvantaged children and people, materials, training for locals, local transport and 20% of these fees will be used for SJ Vietnam administration (staff salary, rent, overhead costs, etc).
Hai Duong Orphanage was established in 2002. With about 1,000 disabled and orphan children coming from many parts of Hai Duong province. The orphanage aims to provide basic education and vocational training to create employment opportunities for the teenagers with many different age groups. The orphanage has a wide variety of courses for children ranging from infants to 18 years old. For example, children between the ages of 6 to 12 will be provided with educational courses, and the older children are able to attend vocational training courses at the center. While special education helps to lessen the burden on the childrens families by teaching the disabled to help themselves with personal activities, the vocational training programs enable handicapped children to earn their living and able to live independently in the future.
Work:
Volunteers will help organizing games and educational activities for children in the orphanage and exchanging with local volunteers or staff. Sometimes volunteers can help with some renovation work.
Study Theme:
Disadvantaged children in Vietnam.
Age:
18+
Accommodation:
Shared rooms on project site. Showers and toilets available. Food prepared by vols with support from local people.
Location:
Hai Duong City.
Travel:
Hanoi Airport, 2 hour drive to the east.
Qualifications:
Interest and motivation working with children in difficult situation
Leisure Activities:
Vietnamese Day, International Day, self-organized city tour and excursions, etc.
« 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! »
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