Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh Community Involvement – Images

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, and it attracts a large number of tourists annually. When you walk around the city you find various beautiful buildings representing the city’s past through Vietnamese, Chinese and European designs and styles. Modern structures stand next to pagodas and street-food stands create a sizzling energy.

Volunteers will be assigned to a specific project that firstly depends on needs and availability and then on personal preferences. These projects include:

Working with Special Needs Children: There are about 12 children with special needs living at this home because their families cannot afford to properly care for them. Your main role will be to comfort and care for children while engaging them in fun activities, arts and crafts, singing, dancing and games, all with the aim of improving their quality of life. You will also help them improve their speech and muscular capacity with the assistance of the staff.

Kindergarten: At this project you will be working with children between three-six years old. You will assist the staff in teaching English, playing games, singing songs and more. There are four classes at the kindergarten, with 10-15 children per class.

Campus Life: At this project you will be working with college students studying tourism and will be paired with a “buddy,” although you will have the opportunity to work with a group of students in the classroom as well. Through cultural exchanges and role playing of real life scenes, you will help these Vietnamese students practice their English and prepare for their careers.

A typical day: You will have breakfast at 7:30 AM and then head to your project around 8:00 AM so that you can begin working by 9″00 AM. You will work until 11:30 AM, at which point you will head back to the residence for lunch. From 2:00-4:30 PM you will work at the project again and dinner will be available at 6:00 PM.

Please note: This schedule is only a guide and things at the project can change at any time. If you are working with children, your schedule will follow the typical school day.

Holidays: Teaching and kindergarten programs will still be available during school holidays, but in the form of a holiday program outside of the normal school system.

School holidays are as follows:
January 29 – February 11, 2021 (only Campus Life is closed)

During public holidays, volunteers can join the local celebrations.
Public holidays are as follows:
January 20-31, 2021
January 13- Feb 18, 202q  (only Campus Life closed)
April 2-3, 2021
September 15 – October 31, 2021  (only Campus Life closed)

Internet: There is WiFi in the rooms as well as Internet cafes nearby.

Laundry: Affordable laundry services are available close to the accommodations.

Accommodations: You will stay in the dormitories of a college campus. There is an air- conditioner in every room. Rooms are single-gender and shared with up to six people. They are basic but comfortable, with bunk beds. There are eight shared showers – four hot and four cold – and a western-style toilet in each room. There are several common areas, including a terrace overlooking the city, a cafe and a creative corner with paint and guitars. Volunteers are required to follow campus regulations, including an 11:30 PM curfew.

Food: Three meals a day are included and served at a restaurant on campus. Meals are typically Vietnamese, but also include some Western dishes.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Good level of English
• Police clearance
• CV/Resume
• Motivation to work with children and meet new cultures
• Ability to work in hot and humid climate
• Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
For an additional fee you can extend your stay for a week, with a program designed to introduce you to Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese culture, as well as give you time to get to know the other volunteers. During the week you will visit some of Vietnam’s iconic landmarks, market places and even go to a traditional water puppet show. You’ll take cooking and language lessons, learn about traditional jewelry techniques and get an understanding of Vietnam’s past, present and future.