Volunteer VietnamVi Thanh.

About Volunteer Vietnam - Vị Thanh.

Vị Thanh is situated approximately 35 km from the Mekong Capital city Can Tho. Located in the middle of the delta, and known as the region’s foodbowl, it has a beautiful landscape with an amazing river and canal system interspersed with rice paddies. This rather flat city is great for biking and hiking with photo opportunities around every corner.

In your free time you can explore the delta by boat or bike, visit fruit gardens or rice fields, stay in a bungalow resort in the heart of the delta and meet the local people while experiencing how locals in rural areas enjoy the cool of the evenings. Take every opportunity to enjoy local food, traditional music and perhaps even learn how to cook local dishes. On the weekend you can visit Can Tho, the region’s capital to visit the floating markets, enjoy the  local food, explore the city, and perhaps do some shopping.

Physical Therapy.

Assist with giving physiotherapy and occupational therapy for elderly homeless people with mental, physical and emotional disabilities in Vi Thanh city. 

Volunteers work closely with the VV physiotherapist and are trained in the therapy exercises. 

You will spend the majority of your time (approximately 12 hours per week) in the physical therapy program, with the balance helping out in the teaching or social care and support program.

 In this program:

You will work at the Vi Thanh Social Support Center with around 50 women requiring many forms of therapy. In addition to the VV physiotherapist, there are two physiotherapists who work at the center who will support volunteers, including training in the physio methods.

The Centre has a rehabilitation room with a variety of equipment, which you will be shown how to use if not familiar, and you will be trained in exercises for specific residents where necessary. You will always be accompanied by a VV team member and the Social Support Center staff are there to assist also.

While this program provides volunteers with the opportunity to assist these people, those undertaking qualifications in this field can be a useful resource to the VV staff working with limited resources.

 

Social Care and Support.

Care for children and adults with mental, physical  and emotional disabilities through delivery of healthcare activities across 3 sites:

  • Hoa Mai Half-Way Children’s Home – health and personal hygiene education, educational support and recreational activities.

  • Social Support Center - physical movement and activities for the elderly and disabled residents.

  • Primary School - health and personal hygiene education, educational support and recreational activities.

In this program:

You will work in the care and support program for approximately 12 hours per week with a VV team member, and at others times helping out with the teaching and physical therapy programs.

Teaching.

Assist with teaching English, arts, crafts, music and sports to the underprivileged children in two sites:

  • The Hoa Mai Half Way Children’s Home – takes place from 6-8pm in the evening, 3 times per week

  • The Primary School in Vi Thanh city - kindergarten to grade 4, teaching each morning

While VV has many teaching resources on site to help with your lesson planning, if you have experience in teaching, the team is always eager to hear your ideas.  If you have no experience in teaching, you will be given basic training including how to write a lesson plan.  You are always accompanied by a team member in the classroom; you are never left alone to teach a class! 

In this program:

You will teach approximately 16 hours per week, and at other times be helping out with the other programs, such as the physical therapy program and social care and support program.

 

  • Volunteers are expected to pay a program fee to participate that covers the cost of running the program including:

    • Program development

    • Full pre-departure support and assistance with Volunteer Visa

    • Accommodation in the Green House at each location

    • Weekdays - 3 meals (weekends at your own pleasure)

    • Airport transfers

    • Daily transport to and from your Project

    • Local team support – activity back-up and translation

    • 24-hr emergency support

    • Certificate of Completion