Volunteering in Vietnam

hey,
my friend who lives in vietnam now is doing volunteer work. and he is searching for new members and stuff.
do you know some people who are interested? i could give you some information about it.

AliceNS wrote:

hey,
my friend who lives in vietnam now is doing volunteer work. and he is searching for new members and stuff.
do you know some people who are interested? i could give you some information about it.

I'm also keen on activities like that and do when I have free time. Could you give me some info about this, pls? Thank you in advance

Hi,

I am looking forward to doing volunteer activities. Please provide detail information so I can join.

Thank you.

Can you please give me any info you have on volunteering.  I live in HCMC.

I volunteer for ARC animal shelter in HCMC. It's located in District 2. I don't live very close by, so I mostly foster kittens in my home for them. But they also have a cat house where volunteers can feed and play with the adult cats, and there's a dog-walking club for the dogs. They also need people to help with the fundraising events and stuff like that.

Email them at arcpets@gmail.com for more information. Their website is arcpets.com.  Several of my former fosters are on the 'cats' page - Patrick, Cassidy, Squishy, and Munchkin. I'm happy to answer questions too, but the ARC staff would know more than me.

Hi .

I am a bid animal lover and would like to assist in any manner. I am usually free on the weekends. Let me how how can I assit in anyway.

Harsh

Hi! I'm also interested in volunteer work, but I'm not quite able to work withh animals. Are there any other opportunities out there around the HCM area?

My experience with supplying free English lessons in VN, ( mainly University students ), is that many students are even more unreliable than if they were actually paying, and if you were lucky. and they did contact you to say they couldn't make it, it would be within an hour of class.

And then they still can't seem to understand why YOU give up on them????
And these are the ones who constantly complain about never having the chance to speak to a Foreigner, let alone a Native English speaker, ( at Uni,  in classes of up to 50 students, they have 45 minutes a WEEK with an Aus/Pom who they have trouble understanding ).

I know the feeling. I havent actually had the chance to volunteer cause I live in Thai Nguyen. A city near Hanoi. I am the only foreigner who lives here. So there isnt much for me besides teaching English as i cant speak vietnamese properly. I have worked with universitary students in few occasions and all of them have been a most frustating experience. I do enjoy working with children though. 😉

At a fair distance from HCM City is an English Language Center meant for disadvantaged children who greatly appreciates English speaking volunteers to help with oral English (American English).
Check out DALC on facebook for details. Happy Volunteering

Hi, i'm living in Hn-vietnam. I am looking to do the volunteer activities. Can you give me more ifo about that. Im usually free on the weekend . Thanks for advance.

Cindysar wrote:

At a fair distance from HCM City is an English Language Center meant for disadvantaged children who greatly appreciates English speaking volunteers to help with oral English (American English).
Check out DALC on facebook for details. Happy Volunteering

I'm also a " fair " distance from HCMC, bit it's no good for me, I don't speak " American " English.

The city is Bien Hoa, about 100 KM NE of Saigon.  Hanoi is too FAR away...

The Western notion of volunteering is pretty much dead these days. Vietnam is no longer a war torn poor country. The poverty index has been cut in half and with the introduction of so many well patronized American fast food joints Vietnam is no longer in need of the well meaning volunteer.

I have volunteered in the North with the Hmong people, in Tay Ninh with Cao Dai and in Saigon with various Buddhist endeavors. In Saigon there are even competing charity organizations and one old folks home has more food than they can eat.

To my mind Vietnam doesn't need more volunteers any more than a Western country. In fact Vietnam needs less Westerners not more.

Another problem is the carpetbagger volunteer who finds a way to profit from the poor and take advantage of innocent/ill-informed visitors. I would suggest that no donations be made except to the Buddhist monks who are active in helping Vietnamese everywhere.

The disabled, orphans, & especially those within the poor ethnic minorities (mountain areas / hill tribes) have the greatest need for volunteers in Vietnam.

I would like help with writing to help activities ~ fund raising, promotions, grants, & research article surveying, & writing activities.
Cheers,
Sean

Cell: 0905.  965.  671

Dr. S. Watts, Director, G&S Realty:
www.Flickr.com/photos/GSRealty/albumswww.GlobalDanangRealty.com  

SeanWatts@  Hotmail.com ~no spaces

I think we should work on ecology problems in Vietnam! Some people should educate locals about waste management and dangerous, and other can work on collecting waste from tourist sites, to summorize, we have to show people that waste around is not good at all!!! I think it is #1 important now for Vietnam!!!

I think it is hard to find volunteer work in Vietnam. Most of the larger organizations (PATH, Habitat for Humanity, World Vision) that I am familiar don't have volunteer opportunities.  Trying to connect with local organizations can be hard due to a language barrier.

Even though I am on the Board of Directors of Kids Without Borders it took me awhile to find Vietnamese friends who are also volunteer minded and speak English to help me while volunteering at a nearby orphanage.  http://www.kidswithnoborders.org/about_us0.aspx

Most volunteer organizations that place volunteers in Vietnam charge a fee.  One link that reviews volunteer opportunities is at this site, http://www.gooverseas.com/volunteer-abroad/vietnam.

While visiting the US I met with a international organization that I am thinking of volunteering through, although I haven't signed up with yet.  They charge a fee but it is small - https://movingworlds.org/

I hope this helps.

I read an interesting article a while ago, about these volunteers who pay big money, it's a multi $ BILLION worldwide business, and how they do more damage than good to communities, especially so called orphanages, where many are not orphans. ( VN is bad for this ).
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct … Ndgws0pzDQ
And another.
http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/vo … good-idea-

FYI:

DEAR FRIENDS,

Have you ever felt a desire to help others, to be in service to another in collaboration with an organized volunteer group of like-minded people?  Have you ever considered participating in a concentrated and highly focused effort that would add comfort, meaning and hope to people less fortunate than yourself?   Like an orphaned or severely mentally or physically impaired child?? What about an abandoned or displaced adult or disabled senior with no one in the world to turn to for help or support???  Someone who doesn't have the ability or capacity to help themselves????

If so, read on!

In Vietnam12- 15% of the population (10 – 12 million people) are handicapped in some way, many are homeless, have had no formal education or are under-educated with no real hope or opportunities for a better life in the future.  To further complicate the situation, the general mindset regarding disabled and displaced people within country is sadly alarming.  In fact, the country of Vietnam has one of the highest disability rates per-capita in the developing world.

WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING TEACHERS & HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS (OF ALL KINDS), CAREGIVERS AND GENERAL SERVICE SUPPORT STAFF ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS AT THE ST. FRANCIS SHELTER (SFS) IN DONG NAI, VIETNAM:   SERVE AS A VOLUNTEER AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER: 

GET INVOLVED AND CREATE YOUR OWN UNIQUE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE – MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE THAT TRULY NEED YOU LOVE, CARE AND ASSISTANCE:   APPLY FOR OUR “WORK / STUDY PROGRAM” AND  IMMERSE YOURSELF WHILE WORKING DIRECTLY AT THE SFS OR JOIN OUR SFS VOLUNTEER GROUP AND CONTRIBUTE YOUR SKILLS, TALENT AND ENERGIES WITH AN INTERNATIONAL MIX OF DEDICATED AND LIKE MINDED PEOPLE.  AS AN OPTION LEND YOU HEART AND HANDS ON ONE OF OUR MANY PROJECTS ON BEHALF OF THE SFS AND PARTICIPATE IN OTHER MEANINGFUL AND ALTERNATIVE WAYS.

FEEL FREE TO EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT BY DONATING $$ TOWARDS THE SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENT OF OUR MISSION AND GOALS: “TO UPGRADE THE STANDARDS OF CARE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE ENTIRE SFS COMMUNITY!

We need everything at the shelter as the conditions there are basic at best, but first we need your heart!   We’re are seeking Doctors, Nurses, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Special Needs Therapists, Massage Therapists, Caregivers, Primary and Secondary School, Conversational English, Art / Music / Dance, Physical Education / Yoga, and Organic Gardening, etc., etc., TEACHERS (ACTIVE OR RETIRED) and/or STUDENTS who are engaged in those particular areas of study. To rehabilitate teach and train the handicapped, abandoned, displaced/homeless and orphaned residents at the SFS.   

FYI, There are about 7 or 8 full time “regular” volunteer caregivers” that currently manage and fulfill the basic daily needs for the 84 residents at the SFS.  It is a nearly impossible job!  The regular volunteers work from dawn till dusk in a valiant daily ritual of selfless caregiving for and on behalf of the men, women and children living at the shelter.  The St. Francis Shelter Volunteer Group has recruited approximately 65 basically trained caregivers that have completed the basic caregiving class and/or the basic physical therapy exercises and principals “mini workshop” that have been offered by our volunteer teaching staff.   However, many of the new volunteers are only able to visit the shelter sporadically each month due to their personal work, family and / or educational commitments and constraints.  Even with the incredibly positive response to our volunteer recruitment adverts and postings, we are still drastically shorthanded on the ground and in the trenches at the shelter!  The growing presence of the basically trained volunteers has given rise for hope for the regular volunteers and the residents who live and work at the shelter 24/7.   It is our sincere desire and prayer!  That more volunteers will chose to get involved and become a part of this huge, un-conditionally loving, community effort and eventually our purpose, single minded focus, highest mission and goals “to upgrade the standards of care and improve the quality of life for all the residents” will become a reality!

To carry on bravely, to “Motivate and Rehabilitate” is our mantra and our prayer!!

I have inserted a link in to the body of this email shown below.  So you may preview our website and the video that was filmed on location at the shelter just a couple of months ago.

I thank you so much for taking the time and for being interested enough to learn about our humanitarian  efforts in Vietnam.   We would to love hear from you if this message touches your heart?   If you’d like to get involved in our mission at the SFS, we would be most grateful to learn more about who you are and what talents or skills  or other contributions you are willing to offer and share.   From there if appropriate we will move to the next step in the process of welcoming you in to our  St Francis Shelter Volunteer Group.

Wishing you all best with much love and aloha,
Philip

Philip York
Program Director

Hello, i am shelter dog, if you have free time, you are welcome to walk them daily,or weekly, or monthly.  The dogs need your love and ready to give it back to you.

See you very soon.

Just to clarify something, some confusion about needing, or not needing to have a Work Permit to volunteer in VN.
Last Updated: 9 September 2015
4.3 Work permits for foreign employees

A work permit is not required if the expatriate:
Is a volunteer. It means a foreigner working in Vietnam on a voluntary basis and without entitlement to a salary in order to implement an international treaty to which Vietnam is a signatory;

bluenz wrote:

I read an interesting article a while ago, about these volunteers who pay big money, it's a multi $ BILLION worldwide business, and how they do more damage than good to communities, especially so called orphanages, where many are not orphans. ( VN is bad for this ).
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct … Ndgws0pzDQ
And another.
http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/vo … good-idea-

Definitely.
I understand there are a lot of 'volunteer' and NGO organizations that spend a mere 10-15% of donations on the needy they represent(?).
This includes a certain US presidential candidate's charity organization.
I will not mention her name.

Hi,

I'm running the charity program: "Enlightenment with Happy Farm" to do organic gardening to raise funds for women and children in Vietnam. If you're interested, you can join.

Another programs, I also participated in is Yoga for Cancer and Breast Cancer Network in VN (BCNV). You can join as Volunteer.

Hi!!
I am Vaiphei from India wanting to join volunteer in Vietnam. I have been here in hcmc, Vietnam for the past three weeks. I just love volunteer works and helping the needy people. I master in Biology specialising in Entomology.

Yeah, I am very much interested in it. Besides, my most expertise is on dengue and malaria control. When should I join you?

I'm also interested in volunteering program in Vietnam? Please post info of these organizations and how to join.  Thank you!

Hi, I love yoga and I practice at least two hours a day, I'm interested in your program Yoga for Cancer. Thanks!

Hi everybody,

I invite all those who wish to volunteer to post an ad in the Volunteering in Vietnam section. It is more appropriate.

Thanks,

Priscilla 

Hi,

I will introduce you to an organic gardener. She's going to expand her biz in Lam Dong province (Dalat) for about 120ha.
And, you can join our small charity garden in HCMC, D.7. We'll start to plant on Oct. It's only a modelling project of 300sqm.

If yes, do not hesitate to contact via my personal email: "hbl4hcm@yahoo.com"

Cheers/ Hue

Or, if you would like to volunteer at Children Hospital No. 2, I'll introduce you to one of my friends' project.

Hi Thanh,

What is your strength?
- English Teaching?
- Organic Gardening?
- Healthcare expert?
- Yoga/ Meditation Coach?
- Nutritionist?
- Alternative therapist?
- Childcare?
etc.
Let me know so that I can suggest and introduce you to the right group/ org.

Cheers/ Hue

Hi Alice,

Can you let me know exactly the area your friend is doing? What type of volunteer job?

Thanks/ Hue

Hi,

I'm living in HCMC. Let me know how to contact with Philip. And, just wondering how I can arrange my time to travel from HCMC - Dong Nai.

I'm keen on massage and alternative therapy, nutritional health coach, mindfulness/ yoga practice and organic gardening.

Let me know via my personal email: "hbl4hcm@yahoo.com"

Cheers/ Hue

hbl4hcm wrote:

Hi,

I'm living in HCMC. Let me know how to contact with Philip. And, just wondering how I can arrange my time to travel from HCMC - Dong Nai.

Cheers/ Hue

Here is the FB group, you can join to contact him.

Thanks, Nga.

Hi,

In VN, there are many charitable organizations from Government or private groups.

The social activities are welcomed here.

If you and your freinds want to join, I can help you to contact with these organizations

Best regards,

Thu

get a contact in a local state school. they will love you if you help

you can open an English club to teach English for passionate people freely and create an environment to share experience.

phuclelh wrote:

you can open an English club to teach English for passionate people freely and create an environment to share experience.

phuclelh - have you done this before? Seems to me might be some logistical hurdles.