Project Overview
Overview
Have you got a way with children?
This project is set in the unique city of Hanoi, and it’s a place that’ll 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 you’ll 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.
Trip Highlights:
- Helping look after the children at your project
- Getting a real insider's view into Hanoi life
- Exploring the 'old' city - great fun
Itinerary & 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.
The Morning Star centre was established in June 1994 and has two centres that help educate approximately 185 children who suffer from Downs Syndrome, the effects of agent Orange, Japanes Encephalitis and autism. The children are aged between 2 and 17 years old and the main aim of the project is to look after these children, educate and encourage them to live independantly with the support of special educational systems both at home and at school so that they can be integrated into society.
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.
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 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!
The projects are located in the districts of Hanoi, up to 7kms from your accommodation and a taxi ride away from your accommodation or motorbike taxi ride. Hanoi is a pleasant city with a European feel, and you will find many attractive lakes, parks and boulevards to explore. Hanoi is a much more peaceful city than Ho Chi Minh; Vietnam's largest city, and is home to many interesting museums, temples and pagodas. You will be staying in a guest house in the centre of the lively Old Quarter of Hanoi, with all facilities within walking distance inlcuding bars, restaurants.
Meals are not included in the placement fee but can be bought locally.
You will need to fly into Noiboi International airport in Hanoi on the advertised arrival date (airport code HAN). Please note that we can normally arrange for an airport pick up at an additional fee if you are arriving early, please contact the office to arrange.
Stories
Dianne Holman gives this project 10/10
Here is what Dianne had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Vietnam certainly left its mark on my heart as did the children at the Phuc Tue Caring Centre. I met some wonderful volunteers from around the world and made many new friends!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
My background is in teaching (early childhood), so I was lucky to undertake the project with i-to-i as part of my professional development. The project certainly gave me a great opportunity to challenge myself and has allowed me to bring a new excitement and motivation to my current role.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I had a wonderful experience with the children and i-to-i. I would recommend i-to-i, as it is great that short term projects are offered for people who want to volunteer but can only travel for a certain time.
Rachel Watson gives this project 10/10
Here is what Rachel had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
How much I loved Vietnam! My trips to Halong Bay and Sapa. Meeting the children I worked with.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The whole thing!
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Do your own research as well as what you're sent.
Prepare yourself for the different culture - you will have to adapt to the new country, not the other way round!
Keep smiling - even bad things that happen are a good story when you get home! Embrace the whole experience.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
My Happy Again experience. Vietnam's forever in my heart.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Imporved airport pick-up (by someone from i-to-i, or at least someone who spoke English)
Accommodation closer to the project, or at least an advance warning about how far away it was!
Rebecca Kane gives this project 10/10
Here is what Rebecca had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The highlights of the trip for me was deffinatly working with the children who were incredibly cute and the experience was extreemly rewarding! At Morning Star the staff were very friendly and helpful and I adored the children there, as well as at Phuc Duc centre where I felt that my help was needed and well received!
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Be prepared to pay for multiple taxis every day. Make sure you understand where each project is once you have been there for the first time as often the taxi drivers do not know where it is! Be prepared for the heat and the bugs!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
An incredible experience that will stay with me forever and has made me rethink my career choice!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
My main improvement would be that there was some type of pre arranged transport to the centres in the morning, in particular for Morning Star as often the taxi drivers did not know where it was and we ended up paying huge amounts as they were driving around for so long. Possibly sorting out a taxi to pick us up every morning who knew where to go would sove this problem, I have not problem paying for a taxi everyday but it was a little frustrating when the taxi drivers did not know where to go and we ended up paying 3x the amount it should have been!
Jacqueline Mathieson gives this project 7/10
Here is what Jacqueline had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Working with the orphans
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Be prepared for anything
Go with an open mind
Participate in all that you can!!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
The most rewrding part of my holiday, I can't wait to participate again. It is the best way to get imersed into the culture and the country
Virginia Tinkler gives this project 7/10
Here is what Virginia had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Meeting new people, especially other volunteers and travellers.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Realising how much more advanced we are, and the quality of our lives in England.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Learn some basic Vietnamese
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Interesting experience, when you get to know local people you realise we have similar values and expectations.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Being more confident with the Vietnamese language.
olivia Cosden gives this project 7/10
Here is what olivia had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The highlights of my trip were interacting with the children and the staff at the Phuc Tue Center and getting to know the city in Hanoi.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1. Be flexible
2. Persevere, don't give up if things are difficult
3. Have fun!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
An opportunity to learn the culture and people of a new country.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
The transportation was difficult to organize and getting to and from the placement was often stressful. The numerous taxis (up to 4 a day) were really expensive.
