Childcare and English Teaching in an Orphanage and Community Shelter

Volunteer abroad Vietnam orphanage teaching

  • The Project

    By volunteering in Vietnam, you can work in the Tay Dang Orphanage and Community Shelter, which aims to provide a home whilst caring 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 join a hospitality program which trains disadvantaged children for jobs with the world’s top international hotels.

  • Why the project needs you

    With over 200 babies, orphans and elderly been looked after at the centre the attention they need simply cannot be given unless volunteers are involved. Staff can look after the basics like accommodation, food and general duties but that extra attention which brings quality to life is unable to be provided. Volunteers can provide a more personal and caring touch to the home whether it is helping children with English, homework, organising extra curricular activities like sports, dance and singing or playing cards with the elderly, it all counts. Those with particular skills like physiotherapy can work with the elderly or those with psychology and social skills can lead group self esteem sessions for example.

    Project Location

    The centre is located 70km outside of Hanoi in Tay Dang, Ba Vi district, a beautiful rural area where the farmers grow yucca, corn, rice, pineapples and bananas. The room in your guesthouse is equipped with an en-suite shower-room, TV and Wifi. If you opt too, you can cycle the 4km from the guest house to the centre where you will pass fields, vegetable gardens, orchards, small farm houses and little stalls.

    Beware of water buffalo or cows crossing the road in front of you. You may also witness local events as traditional weddings in the guesthouse’s event facilities, situated next to the lake in this area popular with Vietnamese tourists.

    Accessible by public transport, Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, is considered to be the cultural centre of the country; where every dynasty has left behind their imprint with Chinese influence and French colonial design. Now becoming a major city in South East Asia it has internationally recognised universities, many cultural museums, theatres, fantastic restaurants and some superb inner city parks. For adventure lovers too Hanoi has something on offer. The tourism of Hanoi has taken measures to develop adventure sports like kayaking, rock climbing and trekking. The colourful festivals of Hanoi are another reason to attract tourists to the area. The festivals are a great time to learn about the local customs and beliefs.

  • Project Facts

    •Duration: 2 - 26 weeks
    • Cost: £1049 ($1836) for 2 weeks and £195 ($341) for each week thereafter
    • Requirements: age 17+
    • Location: Tay Dang, outside Hanoi, Vietnam
    • Project activities: Teaching English and possibly other subjects, and/or leading extracurricular activities
    • Working hours: 09:00 - 16:30, Monday - Friday
    • Project Availability: Project start every Monday.

  • What is included

    • Accommodation: Shared room in a guest 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

  • What is not included

    • Flights
    • Insurance
    • Visas
    • Meals: Volunteers must buy their own food
    • Transport between your project and guesthouse - some old bicycles are available to ride each day, however you may purchase a new one should you wish, and donate it after you have left the project. The ride takes between 20-40 minutes depending on how fast you cycle!
    • Airport drop-off

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