Project Overview
Want to build your muscles as well as friendships?
The source of Vietnam’s lush beauty is also a cause of real problems for the local population. The monsoon rains that paint the island a deep green also wreak havoc on the poorly constructed houses – and that’s where you come in! You’ll be working with one of our partner projects south of Ho Chi Minh City re-housing as many families as possible, all supervised by trained professionals (just to make sure they stay standing!). You’ll spend your time near the famous Mekong Delta which is well worth a visit and a roll or two of film from your camera, just make sure you leave enough for the jungles, mountains and rice paddies that litter the landscapes as well as all the friends you’ll make from the local communities.
This project is organised and run by local organisations and is focused on trying to reduce the levels of poverty in the Tan Phuoc district. The area is very close to the Mekong Delta; a famous tourist attraction in Vietnam and well worth a visit in your free time. This project aims to re-house as many families as possible who are in need of a new home. Alongside the building project there is always the need to help locals improve their English speaking skills by speaking with native speakers.
The organisation running this project has set themselves very high targets for alleviating poverty in the Tan Phuoc community and need as many helping-hands as possible to assist them. By working on this project you will genuinely be helping the poor people of Vietnam whilst seeing the immediate results of your efforts. If the families targeted by the initiative are not re-housed to higher ground, their homes and their lives will remain at risk to the elements.
You do not need building experience but you should have a reasonable level of fitness for this project. Working conditions will be hot and resources are basic. This means that activities that could be fairly easy at home are much more difficult on location. You should have a genuine willingness to help in any activity requested and able to handle sometimes repetitive activities. Please note that this can be quite strenuous work and you will also be getting immersed in the local community, learning a bit of Vietnamese along the way.
You will be assisting in the building of new houses for the people of the district of Tan Phuoc. This will include: transporting of raw material to the construction area, making cement and helping with all elements of the construction process alongside a professional site coordinator. There will also be an element of Teaching English to the local community; especially the children of the local Secondary schools.
Located approximately 70km from Ho Chi Minh City, Phuoc Lap is a poor commune of the Tan Phuoc rural district where the building project is based. Once a home has been completed, which normally takes about 4 weeks, it is usual that another home will be started in a different commune. Accommodation will be in a local guesthouse, meals are not included and you will need to budget accordingly for food. (approximately US$50 per week).
Minimum numbers may apply if you are arriving after January 2010. Please call us for more information.
Once the project has been confirmed please arrange for your flights to arrive into Ho Chi Minh airport (code SGN) on the stipulated start date. 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
Thomas Paschos gives this project 10/10
Here is what Thomas had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The people are amazing and the best bit of the trip is knowing that I am helping them by working on the project. Things are great!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
It's great to know that I'm helping with the project. Knowing that I'm making a difference has made this the best experience of my life. I definitely want to come back!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
It has been the best experience of my life!
Adam Henretty gives this project 10/10
Here is what Adam had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Meeting the local people and teaching English to people who wanted to learn.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The way everything is reused makes you think about all the things you waste and take for granted.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Try to learn some of the language or find a translater.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Getting to know some of the kindest people in MyTho.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
if we got to finish the second house.
Ralph Petts gives this project 10/10
Here is what Ralph had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The friendliness of the local people was wonderful, they were genuinely pleased to see us, being in the Mekong Delta meant that they hadn't met many Westerners and some seemed surprised to see us, all children were prompted by their parents to say hello. The Local builder I was assigned to (Dung) spoke no English - I (Obviously) spoke no Vietnamese, we got on amazingly well - he really is a craftsman and filled me with confidence - I almost thought I was a builder myself!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
At one time during the time I was there I felt that I was involved in a propaganda exercise, but seeing the look on the face of "No" (the lady we were re-housing) when we passed the house over to her made me feel very proud that I'd been there, I also felt welcomed by the "committee" in the town and although they expected a great deal (English classes in the evenings as well as working during the day) I gave as much as I could.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1. Volunteer for thw outlying areas (I was in the Mekong Delta) they much more appreciative of your help.
2. Say "Xin Ciao" to the adults and "Hello" to all the kids - they love it, try to speak the lingo as much as possible.
3. Try the local food - I ate Snails (!) and Eels.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I feel proud to have been involved.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
The "Guest house" could be improved by adding some furniture, there was one chair in the whole building, the communal areas had a TV and a double bed to sit on, I felt that I was very lucky to be there with Michele (she was lovely and a brilliant teacher) alone as if there had been more staying it would have made it very difficult.
Jayne McCallister gives this project 10/10
Here is what Jayne had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The great feeling of helping others from a less privileged background than me, coupled with just how appreciate the local community were of our efforts to make a difference.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Meeting the local people and finding out how friendly, welcoming and contented they were
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Throw yourself totally into the project
Expect the best, plan for the worst and be prepared to be surprised
Savour every moment
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
An experience I will always cherish
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
It would have been a better experience if I had spent a few more weeks there
Gavin New gives this project 10/10
Here is what Gavin had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The interaction with the local people and the relationships that were established.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
There certainly was. Before we left we were contemplating moving to a bigger house in order to raise a family. We have now put any thoughts of moving on hold for some time until we feel it is absolutely necessary as what we currently have is palacial compared to the people of Vietnam.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Be prepared for hard work.
Adhere to all the pre-travel advice.
Enjoy the experience!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
The smiles on the local people's faces said it all - they were so grateful which made it all worthwhile.
Adam Parish gives this project 9/10
Here is what Adam had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The highlight for me was the local people. Everyone was so friendly and couldn't do enough. Our builder in partiular was very friendly and a pleasure to work with.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The friendlyness of the locals changed the way I think about Vietnam. I had been told that Vietnamese people could be quite hostile towards Western people, but we found the exact opposite.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1) The more effort you put in (talking to locals, exploring), the more you get out.
2) Embrace everything, things are very different to what you are used to, but this is part of the experience.
3) Try to learn some of the local language, the locals really appreciate this!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
A fantastic experience that I will never forget.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
The UK team was absolutely fantastic, in particularly Anja Torikka was a great help. She helped sort out our last minute Visa brilliantly.
We found the in-country support not so good. We were picked up from the airport and left in some accomodation in the main city (we were expecting to go to Mekong). Nothing was explained to us for the first 24 hours, which made things very difficult. We had to ask alot of questions to find out what was going on. As soon as we left to go to Mekong on the Sunday, everything improved. The support team were very helpfull and I was impressed by the willingness of one of them (Mr Hui) to get involved with the project itself.
So to sum-up, I felt the initial arrival support needs improvement.
Angela Marsh gives this project 8/10
Here is what Angela had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The food. The cheap lifestyle. The family 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?
I have an immense appreciation for the home I live in and the luxuries I can have.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Budget for daily travel.
Dont rely on i-to-i to provide internet at the accommodation even if it states there will be in the orientation guide.
Be prepared for inefficiencies in the work process.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Worthwhile.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Better communication from the in-country team. Accurate information in the orientation booklet. A microwave, stove, some sort of cooking contraption in the guesthouse.
Lucy Runciman gives this project 8/10
Here is what Lucy had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Working in a rural location and getting to see how the local people live in the Mekong Delta.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1. Don't go with too many expectations, just go with the flow.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
A bit more information about the town (My Tho) we were staying in - perhaps a map on the wall that volunteers can add to, showing things such as good places to eat, bank opening hours etc etc.
Jonathan Stocken gives this project 8/10
Here is what Jonathan had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
