Care and support for abandoned children in South Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City      2 projects of 2 wks from December to February

Volunteer project: The volunteers will support an orphanage run by monks, which was built in the early 20th century and is quite famous in Ho Chi Minh City. The orphanage is now a place of charity for unlucky children and also helps treat diseases. Now the monks are taking care of and bringing up more than 100 children from the South of Vietnam. The children here have unfortunate backgrounds as many have been abandoned by their parents and relatives. Every few months, the monks find a new baby left in front of the pagoda gate. The head monk sometimes receives phone calls from hospitals requesting him to take in abandoned babies. At the moment, about 100 children live in the orphanage; their ages ranging from 5 days old to 20 years old. 60 of them are orphans that are suffering from cerebral palsy, blindness or Down syndrome. About 30-40 local children have the chance to study at the orphanage as some local teachers teach them Vietnamese in the morning.

Volunteers will spend time with the children and help to improve their English, organize games and other activities for them. Volunteers will also do some manual work, like cleaning and renovation, to improve the children's houses and classrooms. Volunteers will get closer to the children’s life and try to broaden their horizons and encourage them to learn better for a brighter future. Volunteers can also support children with disabilities in the disabled children's room.

Study theme: Disadvantaged children in Vietnam

Special requirements: Interest and motivation for working with children in difficult situation

Leisure activities: Self-organized city tour and excursions, etc.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a dormitory in Saigon, in shared rooms with bunk beds. Free Wi-Fi is available at the volunteer house.

Location: Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City (or Sai Gon), in the southern part of Vietnam.

Terminal: Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN), 20 minutes drive from the volunteer house

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 250 USD
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival.

All available dates for this project:
December 21, 2020 - January 2, 2021
January 25 - February 6, 2021