Organic gardening project in support of Agent Orange victims

  Vietnam

• Hanoi: 
Hanoi

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: April 16 - April 29

Description: Vietnam Friendship Village is a treatment/care centre for Agent Orange victims located in Ha Tay Province, which was opened in 1993 to treat children and veterans suffering from the effects of Agent Orange. The children, whose fathers or grandfathers were exposed (causing chromosomal damage) or who were contaminated from their mothers milk, suffer from a range of difficult conditions. While staying in Vietnam Friendship Village, children and veterans are nourished and are provided with free medical care. The children, who may stay there for several years, receive not only basic education, but also some forms of job training.

The Organic Gardening Project was launched in 2004 with the goal of creating islands of a harmonious approach to agriculture within areas of environmental and human devastation - increasing awareness of the consequences of war and, at the same time, demonstrating positive strategies for healing and living. At this moment, the farm is providing about 60% of the villages consumption of vegetable. It is expected that it will cover all the needs and there will be products left for sale to raise funds for the village.

Three short-term volunteer projects will run in the frame of this program in the following dates:
April 16 - April 29
July 30 - August 12
September 17 - September 30

Volunteers will help with clearing the site, preparing soil, weeding, planting vegetables and fruit trees, cleaning a fish pond and redecorating the flowers in the garden. Additional activities may include planting trees, moving bricks for construction, collecting garbage and playing with the children or exchanging with local volunteers or farmers.

Discussions among the volunteers about Agent Orange, Vietnamese culture, and other social issues will take place during some of the evenings.

Free time activities: Vietnamese Day, International Day, self-organized city tour and excursions, etc.

Vietnam Friendship Village is located by the border of Ha Tay Province and Hanoi Capital. It is only about 20 km from Hanoi downtown.

There is an extra fee of 140 Euro for participation in this project, intended to support the hosting organization.

Highlights: Study part: Disadvantaged children in Vietnam

Qualifications: Interest and motivation for working with children in difficult situation.

Cost in US$: USD 290

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative young person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Vietnam Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.