Description

Volunteering with children is one of the most rewarding areas to volunteer in as you can really help change the future of the children around you. Kaya has over 30 projects working with children spanning South America, Central America and Asia. Whether you are working in an orphanage, teaching English or working with abused children you have the chance to develop and equip the children with skills for a brighter future.

*Work in a Disabled Children's Centre in Vietnam

The centre was founded by a female doctor and psychiatrist who speaks fluent English. Many of the teachers speak Basic English. The centre has 10 classrooms; a treatment room - a small outside play area and a treatment pool. There is 56 staff from security guards to cooks, nurses and teachers. The aim of the centre is assist parents in the education of their children, provide children with interaction with other kids and with the skills to make them independent within the society. Some are later integrated into mainstream schools.

*Work in a Centre for Blind, Mute and Deaf Children

The Thai Nguyen Disadvantaged Child Education Centre is located right in the centre of Thai Nguyen city. There are about 200 kids aged 6 to 18 studying here. Of these children, 120 stay at the Centre and 80 kids come for the day. Their disabilities include being blind, mute or deaf, however with some basic sign language; visitors can easily communicate with these smart and friendly children. There are 16 classrooms divided by disabilities. However the Centre is severely lacking in amenities to care for the children, who must share beds (3 children to a bed) and only 5 squat toilets and one small water tank.

*Childcare and English Teaching in an Orphanage and Community Shelter

Work in the Tay Dang Orphanage and Community Shelter, which aims to provide a home and care for orphans who have lost one or both parents, as their relatives are often too poor to take care of them. The centre also cares for older people who have been abandoned by their families or have no relatives to take care of them, but this wing of the centre has its own separate facilities. Currently, there are about 87 orphans from a few months of age to 18 years old. There are about 30 abandoned babies, over 100 homeless old people and people with mental illness. As a direct result of the improved level of English amongst the children attending volunteer classes, 3 pupils in 2010 were chosen for a scholarship to a hospitality program which trains disadvantaged children for jobs with the worlds top international hotels.

*Work in a Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children

Spend time working in a rehabilitation centre which caters to handicapped children of war veterans, invalids, sick soldiers, children affected by dioxin and a number of poor and underprivileged families in all of the towns and provinces in Northern Vietnam. The centre is located in the Ba Via District, a suburb of Hanoi and its main role is admission, care, nursing, orthopaedic surgery, education and vocational training for its residents. The centre was originally set up by the Hanoi Service of Labour, Disabled Soldiers and Social Affairs and is home to over 180 children ranging in age from 2 to 18 years.

*Help Child Victims of Agent Orange

Learn how three generations on, the impact of the dioxin, Agent Orange, used in chemical warfare during the US-Vietnam war, continues to affect the Vietnamese population. Victims are born with physical and/or mental disabilities which range from severe to mild and is home to over 130 children aged 2-23 yrs. This Hanoi-based centre was established in 1991 to provide the specialist care and attention that these children require and give access to therapies that can improve their conditions or at least raise their current standard of living.

Highlights

*Cycling from Saigon to Angkor:
The ultimate cycling adventure taking you along roads less traveled into the heart of Cambodia. On this amazing journey you will meet friendly Cambodians who still view foreigners as a novelty and encounter landscapes untouched by tourism. Good for those wanting to see more of the Mekong Delta and Cambodia, get off the beaten track and see it from the locals pace of life.

*Climb Mount Faspian:
At 3,143 metres Mt. Fansipan is Vietnam's highest mountain. Although only 9 km from Sapa town, it takes at least three days to get to the peak and back. The top is accessible year-round to anybody, so long as they are in good shape. As there are no mountain huts on the way, we will be camping. Our porters carry the equipment and food. No ropes or technical climbing skills are needed, just endurance and plenty of energy. The terrain is rugged, wet and often cold.

*Cuc Phuong National Park:
Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam. Located only 120km southwest of Hanoi and nestled between the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, Cuc Phuong boasts engaging cultural and wildlife heritage and enchanting scenery. Magnificent limestone mountains rise up majestically from the green rice-terraces and traditional stilt houses of the Muong hill-tribe. Covered in a dense forest they form a habitat for some of Asia's rarest species. It is no wonder that researchers, naturalists, enthusiasts and conservationists alike are drawn to this corner of the world.

Qualifications

Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please visit the website for more information.

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Shared room in a volunteer house (up to 2 in a room)
* Airport pick up
* Transfer to the project site and return to Hanoi city on completion
* Training: Pre-departure packs, on-site orientation, a basic language class and a local phrase book for the remainder of your stay
* Support: 24 hour support including a local guide for the first 3 days.
* Excursions: Staff will help plan cultural visits to temples and archeological sites, local hikes, and
cultural outings. (activity prices may be extra)
* CRB- Criminal background check for UK residents. Other nationalities will need to supply police check forms

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range

Must be more than 18 years old

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement

Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded

2008