Description

Helping to bring a smile to a sick child between treatments at a children's hospital is one of the most selfless, altruistic things for any person to do anywhere. Factor this into the understaffed hospitals of Hanoi, Vietnam and one can truly know they are doing something good. By offering your time, ideas and creativity, you'll be bringing fun and enjoyment to a place and to children that really need it.

Volunteering in Vietnam - A Day in the Life

Volunteers in this project collaborate with other foreign and Vietnamese volunteers at one of Hanoi's largest children's hospital. Children that the volunteers normally work with are suffering from cancer, liver and kidney and other medical problems. Volunteers spend the mornings preparing their activities and the afternoons actually at the hospital working with and entertaining the children in small groups, throughout different wards at the hospital.

Volunteer Tasks

As a volunteer in the project, you'll prepare activities, such as coloring, drawing singing songs and conducting simple performances throughout the mornings, Monday to Friday. You'll then introduce those activities to the children at the hospital in the afternoons. The hospital garden is sometimes converted into a play area for the children. In the case that this occurs, you'll be able to help move the children in and out of the hospital and keep an eye on the kids as they are able to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Volunteers are encouraged to assist the local Vietnamese volunteers with performing songs, art and theater related to different festivals and other special occasions that occur throughout the year.

As with any project, it's important to remain flexible and willing to help with all tasks. Self-inventiveness and the ability to find unique ways to focus on keeping the children's minds off their medical condition and on other fun things is vital.

Making a Difference by Volunteering in Vietnam

The hospital is understaffed and under-funded. The children come from under-privileged families. Your contribution and service in the project assists on two main levels. First, there is a genuine need to take the children's minds off their health problems and to add fun and enjoyment to their lives. The second is contact with English speakers and foreigners is something normally only reserved for children of wealthy families, throughout South East Asia. Therefore, this service of meaningful, individual contact with an English speaking westerner is something that can help educate spark an interest in English and the west, with the under-privileged children at the hospital.

Highlights

If ever a country deserved a helping hand it is Vietnam. Blighted by a turbulent and tragic past, this Southeast Asian gem is fast on the road to recovery and our Vietnam volunteers are doing their best. Every year hundreds of volunteers join our projects in schools, hospitals, monasteries and orphanages across Hanoi, Vietnam, making a real and lasting difference to the lives of the country's most disadvantaged people.

Vietnam's breathtaking scenery, rich culture, incredible food and welcoming people are no secret. Millions of tourists flock here each year. However, volunteering in Vietnam provides a completely different take on how life here really works. Volunteers eat, sleep and work amongst Vietnamese nationals, in local projects designed help the most under-privileged in society. And while some of our projects can be challenging, the positive impact our volunteers make is something that stays with them for the rest of their lives. Many return year after year.

Our Vietnam volunteer projects offer a variety of options to the conscientious traveller who wants to take their Vietnam experience to the next level. All the projects have been in operation for years, and have enjoyed the benefit of hundreds of Vietnamese and foreign volunteers from around the world.

All of our Vietnam volunteer projects are focused on working for and with children. Projects range from working with sick kids in hospitals, looking after children in Buddhist temples, to providing much needed non-formal education to Hanoi's disadvantaged youth. Volunteers will be provided with full orientation and assistance throughout the project.

Vietnam is fast emerging from a turbulent past and there is a very real sense that now is the time there is now a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a better future its people. Participating in one of our Vietnam volunteer projects is the perfect way to play your part.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

starts at a minimum of USD 350 for one week

Program Fees Include:

Participation in the Children's Hospital Project starts at a minimum of USD 350 for one week. Additional weeks in the project are USD 120 per week.

FEE INCLUDES: Airport pick up, shared accommodation during orientation and entire project time, all meals, 1 day orientation, onsite coordinator, cultural exchange activities with many international and Vietnamese volunteers, 24 hour emergency assistance and written record of service completion.
FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Plane tickets, travel insurance, cost of criminal police background check required for this project, cost of transportation to and from the hospital and accommodation (roughly USD 5 per day), ride to the airport after service, e-mail and telephone calls.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Childcare/children
• Health
• Health Care
• Hospital
• Nursing
• Volunteering

Typical Volunteer

An individual who loves to travel, wants to learn more about Vietnam and assist Asia in it's development.

Age Range

18 and up

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Independent living

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Friends For Asia's Mission Statement

The mission of Friends For Asia is twofold. We offer an opportunity for people to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the improvement of standards of living by building capacity in our host agencies and we provide committed volunteers to work on projects developed with host agencies that benefit the people of Thailand.

Year Founded

2008