The Class of Love LASAN based in Tan Hung ward, District 7, was established in May 2000. With a strong desire of offering free education for disadvantaged children, the class was set up with the hope of providing a bright future for them. All of the students are immigrated from other provinces throughout Vietnam. Their parents have unstable incomes, frequently move between different job and often move house amongst other reasons. This instability means the children are unable to attend public school due to fees and commitments required. There are currently 6 classes at the school from Grade 1 – 5. Each class has around 20 students, with around 120 attending the school in total. Students study for 10 months per year and examinations are held with support from local schools. At the end of the year, each child receives and evaluation of their studies. Through the class, children understand that education is a good way to develop themselves and have a better life in the future.

After leaving school, they are encouraged to continue their study at a higher level at other normal public schools. There’s 10 to 15 children studying from 6th to 12th grade at public secondary schools, and about 10 of them can attend College. After 10 years, the management board happily realized some achievements in that children should feel the care and love from the teachers, which leads them to more positive thinking. Also, thanks to the school, students’ parents know how to care more for their children and they don’t feel inferior to other families who have better living conditions.

volunteers will help to teach English and organize educational activities for the children in the school. Moreover, the volunteers also do some manual works such as painting the walls, building a new bookshelf. Some books are donated and supported by some sponsors or individuals but there is no bookshelf in the school at the moment.

Disadvantaged children in Vietnam.

VPV Dormitory in Sai Gon. Shared rooms. Sleeping at bund-bed. Showers and toilers are available. WIFI free at volunteer house.
Breakfast and dinner will be prepared by volunteers.
Lunch is provided by the project.

Tan Quy Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh city.

Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN), 45 minutes by taxi to volunteer house.

interest and motivation working with children in difficult situation.

Vietnamese day, International day, self-organized city tour or excursions, etc.

5,000,000 VND (about 170 Euro to be paid in local currency upon arrival).

Life is better for the 26 million Vietnamese children today than it was just two decades ago. But it cannot deny the fact that the disparities and widening between the rich and the poor, between the normal children and the disadvantaged ones, etc. Child poverty in Vietnam today is more prevalent than traditional poverty statistics reveal. They cannot tell us whether children’s basic needs are being satisfied, as distinct from those of the adults they may live with. With support from UNICEF, Viet Nam recently developed its own child-specific approach to poverty, based on basic needs like education, health, shelter, social inclusion and protection. Yet we could not do all that we do in Vietnam without the help of you- volunteers, who are a vital and integral part of our Big Family. Want to use your skills, drive and passion to help make life better for Vietnam’s children?

As a social organization, SDRC has been in operation since 2010, with the aim to provide a new project and a new chance for disadvantaged people by employing these people and providing them a job in making art handicraft – rice painting. This job gives the young people with disabilities some professional skills and a purpose in life.

The project was founded during a two year community project in the same city and build on the results and knowledge that this project generated. We have a clear social goal – Training and employing disabled people to improve their quality of life. With a job these young people get independent lives and a possibility to support their family. Furthermore they achieve an unknown self-confidence and learn social skills

These disabled people now stand before the problem of selling the art products. We therefore seek new ways of promoting and selling the products. Volunteers are welcomed to organize workshops to call for supports from organizations and individuals; volunteers are also trained how to make these products and help the disadvantaged people promote and sell them. Project location is too far from the city centre, not many people know their products, so volunteers are also welcomed to write proposals and help these people find some places that they can introduce their rice paintings to more people.

Disadvantaged children in VietNam.

Volunteers will spend one week at project site, your accommodation will be arranged by VPV and the rest of your time will be at VPV’ Dormitory in Sai Gon. Shared rooms. Sleeping at bunk-bed. Showers and toilets are available. WIFI free at volunteer house.
Meals will be prepared by volunteers.

Bien Hoa city

Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN), 45 minutes by taxi to volunteer house.

interest and motivation working with children in difficult situation.

Vietnamese day, International day, self-organized city tour or excursions, etc.

5,000,000 VND (about 170 Euro to be paid in local currency upon arrival.)

Vinh Son institution was first established on March 3rd, 1991 from a “piggery” in Binh Thanh District with an aim to take good care of 10 ten local children in the district. In 1998 this center was expanded thanks to fund donated from Daughter of Humanity of St. Vincent and some individual donors. Together with the expansion, it also expanded its mission to take care of disadvantaged destinies in Ho Chi Minh City.

This institution is a free-of-charge primary school for children who cannot attend public schools for many reasons. At the time of writing (2012), there are more than 120 children aged from 6 to 16 joining 6 classes. Actually they live with their families who are too poor to send them to public schools as normal children. Most of them usually do not receive good care due to poverty or parental divorce. Some of them even have their parents passed away.

This school provides children not only with primary education with the focus on literacy and numeracy but also with meals at lunch. After classes, many children have to help their parents earn money by selling lottery tickets, collecting scrap (plastic bags, glass…) or babysitting.

Volunteers are divided into smaller groups to discuss and then organize fun activities about health, sport, environment, education, etc. This is to create an active environment for the children to practice English. Although they study English at school, their English skills are very basic and can hardly communicate with foreigners. Moreover, because of limited facilities and skilled staff, they have little access to recreational activities. In the afternoon, volunteers can help renovate the classrooms or repaint the fences and walls.

Disadvantaged children in Vietnam.

Peace House-VPV’s Dormitory in Saigon. Shared rooms. Sleeping at bunk-bed. Showers and toilets available. WI-FI free at volunteer house. Breakfast and dinner will be prepared by volunteers. Lunch is provided by project.

Peace House, Ho Chi Minh City.

Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN).

Interest and motivation working with children in difficult situation.

self-organized city tour and excursions, etc.

5,000,000 VND (170 EURO to be paid upon arrival in local currency).

Life is better for the 26 million Vietnamese children today than it was just two decades ago. But it cannot deny the fact that the disparities and widening between the rich and the poor, between the normal children and the disadvantaged ones, etc. Child poverty in Vietnam today is more prevalent than traditional poverty statistics reveal. They cannot tell us whether children’s basic needs are being satisfied, as distinct from those of the adults they may live with. With support from UNICEF, Viet Nam recently developed its own child-specific approach to poverty, based on basic needs like education, health, shelter, social inclusion and protection. Yet we could not do all that we do in Vietnam without the help of you- volunteers, who are a vital and integral part of our Big Family. Want to use your skills, drive and passion to help make life better for Vietnam’s children?

As a social organization, SDRC has been in operation since 2010, with the aim to provide a new project and a new chance for disadvantaged people by employing these people and providing them a job in making art handicraft – rice painting. This job gives the young people with disabilities some professional skills and a purpose in life.

The project was founded during a two year community project in the same city and build on the results and knowledge that this project generated. We have a clear social goal – Training and employing disabled people to improve their quality of life. With a job these young people get independent lives and a possibility to support their family. Furthermore they achieve an unknown self-confidence and learn social skills

These disabled people now stand before the problem of selling the art products. We therefore seek new ways of promoting and selling the products. Volunteers are welcomed to organize workshops to call for supports from organizations and individuals; volunteers are also trained how to make these products and help the disadvantaged people promote and sell them. Project location is too far from the city centre, not many people know their products, so volunteers are also welcomed to write proposals and help these people find some places that they can introduce their rice paintings to more people.

Disadvantaged children in VietNam.

Volunteers will spend one week at project site, your accommodation will be arranged by VPV and the rest of your time will be at VPV’ Dormitory in Sai Gon. Shared rooms. Sleeping at bunk-bed. Showers and toilets are available. WIFI free at volunteer house.
Meals will be prepared by volunteers.

Bien Hoa city

Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN), 45 minutes by taxi to volunteer house.

interest and motivation working with children in difficult situation.

Vietnamese day, International day, self-organized city tour or excursions, etc.

5,000,000 VND (about 170 Euro to be paid in local currency upon arrival.)

BUOC village is a small village of Thai people (an ethnic group came from southern of China) with very pure landscape. As you can see on the above map, this area is placed by only green color and a lot of mountain. Because of this natural condition, Thai people here rely mainly on agriculture. In the past, the village was located adjacent to streams and people in the village used water of the stream for gardening. During the rainy season water from the mountain goes down through the streams and washes everything away, making it very dangerous to live close to the stream. For this reason, the government has helped residents here to move to higher lands, and build permanent/traditional houses with wood.
10 years have passed since the new BUOC village was reconstructed in 2002. Currently, firm houses, concrete roads, electricity have become the basic living conditions of every villager. Although the stream is very beautiful it is dangerous. Despite the good aspects of new infrastructure, villagers still lack a lot of education and understanding about modern society. Therefore, it would be very helpful to help and stay with BUOC villagers.

In the workcamp, volunteers will be divided into small teams to do different tasks including...

- Organizing activities for children
- Create a friendly environment
- Help locals understand the importance of protecting the environment
- Some environmental activities, like gardening, building a bamboo fence, planting trees
- The volunteers will have host families so that they should act like the famous saying, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”

Volunteers will stay in a traditional bamboo house in the BUOC village.

The village will provide meals for volunteers. Vietnamese food consists of many varieties and flavors, but if you have any special dietary needs please inform us in advance.

The working place is Buoc-village, Mai Chau town, Hoa Binh province, Vietnam. It's about 160km north from Ha Noi.

You have 2 days off per week. Mostly during the weekend, unless there are specials events in your working place.
During your free time you can travel to discover further wonders of Vietnam! The province of Hoa Binh is located in south-western of Vietnam, about 100km from Hanoi.

The total fee is 5,000,000VND/participant which includes transportation to and from the project site, food, basic accommodation and materials for the workcamp. This fee will be paid upon arrival at the workcamp on the first day.

Participation fees enable SJ Vietnam to take care of you during your stay and to fund their projects. Volunteers’ activities in the evenings or on the weekends are their own expense.

Tan Binh Shelter is an orphanage for boys providing care & education for around 30 young boys. The shelter was established in 1994 by the Women's Charity Association of HCMC (WOCA) with the support of Jean Houlmann, a Swiss man who visited Vietnam in the early 90s and decided he wanted to try and make a difference to disadvantaged families affected by the war, in particular, the children. Mr Houlmann contacted WOCA, who at this time were already planning to open an orphanage in the Tan Binh area and together they opened a shelter for poor and under-privileged boys. While living at the shelter they are also placed into a local school, a chance to develop themselves and have a better chance for the future through education. There are currently 26 boys living in the Tan Binh shelter, though not all of them study English. The age range is from 7 to 20 years old and the boys who grew up there stay on to work at the shelter or visit very often.

‘District 8 Shelter’ was founded on 16.10.1993 with the support of the ‘Terre des Homes Foundation’ from Lausanne (Switzerland) and is managed by the Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs in Ho Chi Minh City. District 8 Shelter is a boys’ orphanage in one of the poorest districts in Ho Chi Minh City. Originally, they all lived on the streets before being collected randomly all over the country. There are many reasons their family cannot look after them. The most common reasons are that their parents have passed away or got divorced, none of their relatives can take care of them, they get abandoned and have to live on the streets. The shelter takes care of them, provides them with shelter, food and education in local schools. They have a few staff members who take turns staying at night to look after the children there. This is a project devoted to care, education, protection and support for homeless boys. The people carrying out the project have been trying to build a healthy life and safe environment for children, to create an open and friendly atmosphere, like a family. Every day the children receive love and respect while building trust in people and life. As a result, children have the opportunity to easily integrate with their families and communities and hopefully feel more comfortable for later independent life.

While providing a stable environment for children, one main aim of the shelter is to try and reunite children with their family if possible. The children living here also go to school or follow certain vocational trainings. Besides that, there are many other fun activities for the boys to take part in such as swimming, playing football, camping, hip-hop dancing, drawing, singing which are organized and supported by donors. There are 25 boys living at the shelter while the staff in charge consists of one project leader, two educators and one cook.

Volunteers will spend their mornings working with children at Tan Binh Shelter and Shelter 8 by teaching English and organizing fun activities. In the afternoons, volunteers will prepare their lesson plans and peace workshops for children (2 workshops a week). It is believed that peace and self-esteem comes from within each person. Every human being plays a crucial role in creating a peaceful world starting with himself or herself. Volunteers will help raise their awareness of their own character, and a peaceful community by meaningful games, interactive conversations, and storytelling. The workshops are to promote peace and harmony in our daily life and relationships.

Disadvantaged children in Vietnam.

Peace House-VPV’s Dormitory in Saigon. Shared rooms. Sleeping at bunk-bed. Showers and toilets available. WI-FI free at volunteer house. Breakfast and dinner will be prepared by volunteers. Lunch is provided by project.

Peace House, Ho Chi Minh City.

Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN).

Interest and motivation working with children in difficult situation.

self-organized city tour and excursions, etc.

5,000,000 VND (170 EURO to be paid upon arrival in local currency).

District 8 Shelter was founded on 16.10.1993 with the support of the ‘Terre des Homes Foundation’ from Lausanne (Switzerland) andis managed by the Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs in Ho Chi Minh City. District 8 Shelter is a boys orphanage in one of the poorest districts in Ho Chi Minh City. Originally, they all lived on the streets before being collected randomly all over the country. There are many reasons, complicated and varied for the final result that their family can’t look after them. Among those, the more common reasons being that their parents may have passed away and none of their relatives can take care of them or their parents divorced and left them on the streets. The shelter takes care of them, provides them with shelter, food and education in local schools. They have a few staff who take turns to stay at night and look after the children there. This is a project devotedto care, education, protection and support for homeless boys. The people carrying out the project have been trying to build a healthy life and safe environment for children, to create an open and friendly atmosphere, like a family.

While providing a stable environment for children, one main aim of the shelter is to try and reunite children with their family if possible. Living at the shelter, children must agree to go to school or follow certain vocational trainings. The shelter also organizes many activities 'in-house' for the boys to take part in such as swimming trips, playing football matches, special guests, picnics, student exchange with other schools and some courses to develop their extra-skills such as hip-hop dancing, drawing, singing which are given free by donors. There are 21 boys living at the shelter while the staff in charge consists of 1 project leader, 2 educators and 1 cook.

Tan Binh Shelter is an orphanage for boys providing care & education for around 30 young boys. The shelter was established in 1994 by the Women's Charity Association of HCMC (WOCA) with the support of Jean Houlmann, a Swiss man who visited Vietnam in the early 90s and decided he wanted to try and make a difference to disadvantaged families affected by the war, in particular, the children. Mr Houlmann contacted WOCA, who at this time were already planning to open an orphanage in the Tan Binh area and together they opened a shelter for poor and underprivelidged boys. Usually, the boys come to the shelter when their family is too poor to look after them or there may be no one to look after them at all, their parents may have passed away or can sometimes be in prison amongst other reasons.

While living at the shelter they are also placed into a local school, a chance to develop themselves and have a better chance for the future through education. The shelter also organizes many activities 'in-house' for the boys to take part in such as swimming trips, special guests, picnics, student exchange with other schools and of course the English classes we provide as well as other activities. There are currently 26 boys living in the Tan Binh shelter, though not all of them study English. The age range is from 7 to 20 years old and often boys who grew up there stay on to work at the shelter or visit very often

volunteers will help to teach English and organize fun activities for the children at Shelter 8 and Tan Binh Boy Shelter. Moreover, the volunteers will prepare and wrap up presents for the children to have a warm and meaningful Christmas.

Disadvantaged children in Vietnam.

VPV Dormitory in Sai Gon. Shared rooms. Sleeping at bund-bed. Showers and toilers are available. WIFI free at volunteer house. Breakfast and dinner will be prepared by volunteers. Lunch is provided by the project.

District 8 and Tan Binh district, Ho Chi Minh city.

Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN), 45 minutes by taxi to volunteer house.

interest and motivation working with children in difficult situation.

Vietnamese day, International day, self-organized city tour or excurtions, etc.

5,000,000 VND (about 170 Euro to be paid in local currency upon arrival).

Phu Yen is one of the CEC is an environment for children aged from 6-15 years old and an English supportive center for adults who take part in in-service training and associate training courses with universities and colleges throughout the country. In Phu Yen, volunteers will teach English to children and support the teachers to improve the english teaching methods.

Organize a play scheme for the children during summer. Different workshops such as painting, sport, art, dancing will be held by volunteers. Teaching some basic English to the children through games, songs, activities. Small renovation for classroom at the kindergarten.

C&C center, Tuy Hoa, Phu Yen province.

Nearest International airport: Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN).

Tuy Hoa airport

Volunteers will stay at the center with basic conditions. Volunteers will share a toilet in the room. Meals are cooked by volunteers.

Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, raincoat, swimming suites, info materials and pictures of your country, toys and learning materials for the children if you have.