Often (but by no means always) the attitude toward those with mental and/or physical disabilities in Vietnam can seem startlingly cruel to many of us. Some consider a disability to be a punishment for past crimes by the family or a sign that they represent bad luck for anyone connected to them. Unfortunately this can lead to abandonment and isolation for the family of the disabled child, and with little or no education in caring for a child with disabilities the stress can be overwhelming for the family, as well as increasing the suffering of that child.
Often a family will take their child to a disabled centre as a last resort, when they do not know where else to go. Centres for care for children with disabilities are generally poorly funded by the government whereas disabled care NGO day care centres on the other hand tend to have a more positive and open attitude, being more focused on the welfare and education of the children, and direct funding for this purpose is often evident.
Attitudes toward volunteers in Vietnam
The idea of volunteering one's time or energy toward a cause is still a new one for many in the adult generations in Vietnam, although many in the upcoming generation are working hard toward changing this.
Feelings of suspicion from local government and police authorities often surround the idea of a foreigner engaging in anything other than tourist or business activities. The attitude often persists that "if you want to help, just give us money".
We believe that it is the responsibility of every volunteer to help in the continuous and ongoing process to change this attitude, and to prove that volunteers can be a force of change and directly assist those in need.
Background information about disabled care centres in Vietnam
Often carers &staff are poorly motivated, poorly trained, poorly paid and grossly overworked. Staff in the centres often develop a coping strategy of negligent laziness; they let the children down together, to avoid individual blame or personal responsibility. The staff culture often operates almost as a 'closed shop', outside of the control or supervision of the directors. Staff are often trained heavily in the importance of discipline in classrooms, having been trained to teach regular school classes rather than specifically disabled children. As a result teachers can very easily become frustrated and often resort to violence to try to maintain order.
Due to the way that government centres are run, the directors are often forced to concentrate on administration tasks, budget and funding, which keeps them at a distance from the actual work of the carers or teachers and contributes to the ability of the isolationist culture of the staff to persist.
What to expect
Despite the general attitude toward volunteers in Vietnam it is often the case that international volunteers are warmly welcomed by the directors of all centres and schools, as foreigners bring prestige and a perceived opportunity to gain contacts with potential sources of funds from abroad.
The attitudes of the staff however are often markedly different, as the presence of a foreigner can be seen as an invasion of their environment.
The staff are also rarely able to speak English and frequently resent what they may consider to be the additional responsibility of supervising a foreigner in the classroom.
Often classes may contain children with varying disabilities and learning levels making a far from ideal teaching environment. Faced with this teachers will often do little more than place a DVD in the player and leave the children to their own devices while they go for tea.
As mentioned above volunteers may witness children being disciplined in a way many from abroad would consider abhorrent. Hitting of children as well as general rough treatment is common. It is one of the many ways that volunteers can play a key role in improving the quality of care for children with disabilities in centres across Vietnam, as teachers and carers are reluctant to discipline children in such a way in front of a foreigner. It is also possible to show that love, attention and compassion can be more effective than attempts at discipline.
Despite all of the above volunteers should always be prepared for the warmth, happiness and generosity of the children. The excitement that a foreign visitor creates is infectious and volunteers are rarely left in any doubt about the value of their presence or how appreciated they are by the children.
Dos and Don'ts
It will rarely be advisable to try to correct, prevent or persuade any member of staff or management directly in the centre. The hierarchical nature of Vietnamese society and culture will mean that in all probability you will be flatly ignored. If you see something shocking or something that you disagree with it is in the best interest of everyone involved that you approach your ICT coordinator first and inform them of what you have seen. VPV can then contact the centre's director to open a dialogue about whatever incident you have witnessed. As a foreigner and a volunteer you risk being shut out of the centre completely by attempting engaging in direct dialogue. The importance of relationships in Vietnamese culture means that no organisation will be able to affect change without engaging in respectful procedure.
Attempts to circumvent this procedure risks the relationship between VPV and the centre and can potentially result in the centre shutting its doors to volunteers.
Do however feel free to approach a child or patient directly who you see in distress. If you can offer love and care to those individuals in the most need you can help to show by direct action how understanding and care can help.
Final Note
Please be prepared that this is a very slow process. As an individual volunteer you are part of a necessary and ongoing process of change in attitude and working practice that contributes to assuring the well being of many lives in Vietnam. Progress is slow, and can often be extremely frustrating, but being a part of that process is in itself a tremendous help to the children and families living with disabilities throughout the country.
