Community Work with Special Needs Children in Vietnam

  Vietnam

• Hanoi: 
Hanoi

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 2 - 12 week placements throughout the year

Description: This project is set in the unique city of Hanoi, and its a place thatll grab hold of you and never let go. Finally casting off the legacy of the Vietnam War and opening itself up to the world, it has managed to keep the spirit of the past alive and youll find it a captivating blend of old and new. Our partner project in the city, which supports children with special needs, will capture your heart too. You will join the dedicated staff helping children suffering from autism, Downs syndrome and Japanese encephalitis as well as the effects of Agent Orange, one of many damaging legacies of the War.

*Project details:
The Phuc Tue caring centre was established in June 2001. There are now 3 centres around Hanoi that provide care and education for approx 50 children and young people (aged 2 to 22yrs old) who are suffering from the effects of agent orange, autism, down syndrome and Japanese encephalitis. The Centre`s aim is to look after these children and help to integrate them into normal society.

The Hope Centre was established in June 1997 and has 2 sites that provides care and education for approximately 70 children suffering from the effects of autism, brain traumas, down syndrome, epilepsy and also homeless children. The children range from the age of 3 to 17 years. The Centre aims to provide vocational training classes for these children and to integrate them into an ordinary social life.

*Why volunteer at this project:
The project operates with limited funds and resources. They look for financial support from local sponsorship and international organizations and physical assistance from enthusiastic volunteers. This is where you come in! By helping to support their objectives in providing care and vocational programmes to reintegrate their young people back into society.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights: * Helping lokk after the children at your project
* Getting a real insider's view into Hanoi life
* Exploring the 'old' city - great fun

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
Volunteers at this project should have a genuine love of children and young people, and an interest helping people with challenging conditions. Volunteers on this placement should have a good understanding of these conditions and be confident in working in this area. Although you do not require any special skills, any experience working with children or young people would be valuable. You will need to be confident, understanding and resilient to difficult conditions.

Your role as a volunteer:
Your role will mainly involve caring for the children, singing songs, playing games with the children, joining daily activities and exercise with the pupils as well as helping the centre to cook, clean and feed the children. Be prepared to have some fun activities with the children!

Cost in US$: USD 1395.00 for 2 weeks, USD 200.00 for every week thereafter

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The project operates with limited funds and resources. They look for financial support from local sponsorship and international organizations and physical assistance from enthusiastic volunteers. This is where you come in! By helping to support their objectives in providing care and vocational programmes to reintegrate their young people back into society.

Age Range: 17 and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994