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Thanking letter
Since its beginning, SJ Vietnam has had a lot support of our partners, networks, friends and volunteers.
SJ Vietnam is a full member of CCIVS and NVDA since 2006. We are also a partner of YAP and Alliance.
Thank to the great partnership, we have gained big success with more than 3000 local members, 500 international volunteers.
In January 2008, SJ Vietnam was a co-host organization of NVDA General Assembly (with VPV) in Hanoi.
We will have 50 work camps, 12 long-term projects, 4 national projects with World Bank and Ministry of Health, which aim to poor children, less-fortuned kids in National Pediatric hospital, HIV/AIDS and safety traffic in Vietnam.
For the achievements, we are sincerely grateful to our partners, friends, sponsors, donors, volunteers, especially Solidarités Jeunesses, NICE, IWO, Greenway, Javva.
We are also very thankful to Un Etai pour le Vietnam, a French student association in Toulouse who have been coordinating with us in project “Youth House-School for disadvantaged and street children at Fisher Village in Ha Noi, Vietnam” since 2005.
We look forward to strengthening partnership with you and welcoming your volunteers to SJ Vietnam projects for sustainable development in beautiful Vietnam.
Yours sincerely,
On behalf of SJ Vietnam
Director
Do Thi Phuc
1. SJ Vietnam Introduction
SJ Vietnam is an international youth NGO (Non-Government Organization) which started in 2004 in Vietnam from an international work camp granted by United Nation Volunteers.
Our office at SJ Vietnam International Youth House: No.10D, Lane 28 Tay Ho Street, Ha Noi. (www.sjvietnam.org)
We promote peace, solidarity and active citizenship through international voluntary service. It’s an independent, non political and non religious organization open to everybody without any distinction of nationality, race, philosophy, financial resource, education or sex.
ACTIVITIES
A. Work camp:
Work camps organized by SJ Vietnam in or around Hanoi that seek to provide an experience that connects solidarity, intercultural learning, and community life to help disadvantaged, street, poor and blind children, needy children in paediatric hospital and disabled, old, homeless people.
B. Long-term Volunteer Projects:
Our long term projects are organized in Ha No, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh for environment and society to gain sustainable development
C. World Bank projects:
In 2006, SJ Vietnam won the World Bank’s Innovation Day reward for “Bring a Smile– Soothe the pain” and “Youth House” project to help out the poor, street disadvantaged children in the fisher village living under Long Bien Bridge and needy children in National pediatric hospital of Vietnam. Furthermore, in 2007 two projects “Safety Traffic” project and “HIV awareness for street children” project were also the granted by Ministry of Health and World Bank in a contest of “Vietnam innovation day”. .
D. Training courses, seminars and conferences:
SJ Vietnam organizes regular workshops, seminars and conferences and training for thousands of its members which provide young volunteers conflict management, leadership, intercultural learning and volunteering skills, etc.
E. Festivals and events:
For Vietnamese festivals such as International Children’s Day, Mid-Autumn festival, Christmas and Tet holiday, SJ Vietnam holds events to celebrate these meaningful occasions for less-fortuned children and people to give them equal opportunity and lots of smiles, happiness.
F. Sending volunteers abroad:
Through net work of international partners, SJ Vietnam offers Vietnamese volunteers the chance to join work camps abroad
How to contact us?
Our office is open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6pm GMT +7.
Our address: No 10D, lane 28, Tay Ho Street, Ha Noi, Vietnam
Tel: +84.4.7195080/ +84.4.2154993
Fax: +84.4.7195080
Skype/Yahoo/MSN ID: sj.vietnam
Website: www.sjvietnam.org
General email: info@sjvietnam.org
Work camps: workcamp@sjvietnam.org
Long term projects: ltv@sjvietnam.org
For partnership, please contact our director at: phuc@sjvietnam.org
Thank you very much for your cooperation and please discover our program in wonderful Vietnam as following!
2. Work camp Calendar 2008
Normally, SJ Vietnam’s work camps vary from environmental, educational, art, construction, social work. Our volunteers stay in basic accommodation, schools and welfare centers that promotes group living. The common language is English, although the volunteers are encouraged to learn the basics of the local language. In some work camps, the hosts or the volunteers organize discussion, excursion, exchange parties, school visit, and sports programs.
The work camps are ten days to two weeks, and three weeks or four weeks with Vietnamese camp leaders. The volunteers take local buses to and from the sites.
We are a non-profit organization with no external income so we charge volunteers coming from developed countries participation fee of 150 Euros (you can pay in US$ or Vietnam Dong with approximate amount), which includes accommodation (you can watch a video one of our camp places at:
(http://vietnam.solidaritesjeunesses.org/video/volunteers/visit%20of%20SJ%20House.avi),
which cover the cost of all projects (ex. free food, scholarship, donation, festivals for disadvantaged children and people, materials, training for locals), local transport, local food and 30% of these fees will be used to SJ Vietnam administration (staff salary, rent, phone office work, etc).
SJ Vietnam encourages people with difficulty to join our work camps. Please contact us for more detail.
When the volunteers are accepted, we will send you an updated info sheet.
Participate in our work camps to have great fun and enjoy amazingly charming Vietnam!
SJ Vietnam 2008 Work camp Calendar
3. 1. Hold the Future Centre (for disable adult and teenage)
Code
- Work: The volunteers help disable people in their daily job of making simple hand made products. Volunteers also organize leisure/social activities for them during their free time or on weekends. The volunteers are expected to create a friendly English environment, to help them learning this language. We are looking for volunteers who work well with disadvantaged people.
- Accommodation and Food: You will stay in one of our Youth Houses with very simple and basic facilities. Volunteers should be ready to sleep on floor. All volunteers have to prepare and cook meals for themselves.
You can have breakfast and lunch on the way you go to work. You can cook or go out for dinner with other volunteers.
- Program: Catch bus from accommodation to Welfare Center at 8:30 am every working day. Work from 9 am to 11 am. Volunteers can have lunch near Center. In the afternoon, work starts from 2 pm to 4 pm. Volunteers have free time after 4 pm.
- Location: It is near the centre of Ha Noi.
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country. Do not forget smiles.
3.2. Fisher Village (Youth House School for disadvantaged and street children)
Code SJV 0804 SJV 0821 16/6-28/6
- Type: Edu/Soc/Teach/Kid
- Work:teaching, cleaning and cooking with local volunteers.
- Accommodation and Food: Volunteers will stay in one of our Youth Houses with very simple and basic facilities. Volunteers should be ready to sleep on floor. All volunteers have to prepare and cook meals for themselves.
- Program: Work starts at 9 am. A group (team 1) will go to market to buy food for lunch with local volunteers. Team 2: teaching children and team 3 will clean the house. You will have lunch with children and in the evening you can go out or cook by yourself.
- Location: Near Red River and Center of Ha Noi. You have to catch bus to go to our office.
- Remarks: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country. Do not forget smile
3. 3. Hospital for Children
Code Date
SJV 08053
- Type: Kid/soci/art
- Work: Teaching children to draw and painting, organize games.
- Accommodation and Food: Volunteers will stay in one of our Youth Houses with very simple and basic facilities. Volunteers should be ready to sleep on floor. All volunteers have to prepare and cook meals for themselves.
- Program: Every morning the volunteers prepare activities for afternoon to play with kids, and will work in the hospital with children every afternoon. You have free time in the evenings.
- Location: It is near the centre of Ha Noi.
- Terminal: You catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use bus.
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country, etc.Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.4. Welfare Center in Hai Duong for orphanages and disability
Code Date
SJV 0806
Type: Dis/kid/soci/teach
- Work: teaching children to draw and painting, organize games, play with kids.
- Accommodation and Food: You will stay at the hostel of the children. Food will be provided by the center.
- Program: Every morning volunteers get up quite early to help children cleaning and preparing to go to school and then help children to have breakfast. Work starts at 8 am to 11:00 pm. Volunteers have lunch with children and start work in the afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30pm. In the evening you have free time you can have fun activities with kids or exchange culture with locals.
- Location: Hai Duong is far from Ha Noi city about 50 km.
- Transportation: You catch bus from Ha Noi to Hai Duong
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country or some tools. Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.5. World Heritage camp:
Code SJV0848 Date 22/9 – 4/10
Type: Env/Soci/Cul/Art
- Work: cleaning beaches, planting, to draw and painting, organize workshops, performing and exchanging with local youth
- Accommodation and Food: You will stay at the hostel of local youth union with basic condition
- Program: Every morning volunteers will make campaign and clean beaches with local. You will organize many creative activities to raise awareness of locals for sustainable protection of the World Heritage site. In the evening you have free time you can have funny activities or exchange culture with locals.
- Location: Halong is far from Ha Noi city about 170 km.
- Transportation: You catch bus from Ha Noi to Halong Bay
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country or some tools. Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.6. Water Filter for poor people living on slum boats on Red River
Code
- Work: Making water filter for the people living near the red river.
- Accommodation and Food: Volunteers will stay in one of our Youth Houses with very simple and basic facilities. Volunteers should be ready to sleep on floor. All volunteers have to prepare and cook meals for themselves.
- Program: Every morning the volunteers go to Island of Red River. You and local volunteer will make water filter for people live there from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. You can bring food with you. You have free time every evening.
- Location: It is near the centre of Ha Noi
- Terminal: You catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use bus.
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country. Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.7. Children’s Day Festival
Code
- Accommodation and Food: We have a house with bathroom, toilet, and water. Volunteers can cook for your meal everyday or go out. There are many restaurants of local or different countries.
- Program: Volunteers will organize “Children’s Day” (1st of June) festival for disadvantaged children in welfare centers, National Pediatric Hospital of Vietnam, street and orphan children and children with HIV. Time is free at the evening.
- Location: Near of the centre of Ha Noi
- Terminal: Volunteers can catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use bus.
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country, etc. Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.8. Mid-Autumn Festival - Arte Diem project (promote peace through art)
Code
- Accommodation and Food: We have a house with bathroom, toilet, and water. Volunteers can cook for their meals everyday or go out. There are many restaurants of local or diffident countries.
- Program: Everyday Volunteers make stars at their accommodation with local volunteers. You have free time every evenings you and local volunteers will have many fun activities. At the weekend you can go travel in Ha Long Bay, Sapa, etc.
- Location: You will live at a house near Red River
- Terminal: You catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use bus.
- Remarks: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, raincoat, instruments and pictures of your country.
3.9. Christmas and New Year festival for disadvantaged children
Code
- Work: Making presents and organize small party for disable children.
- Accommodation and Food: We have a house with bathroom, toilet, and water. You can cook for your meal everyday or go out. There are many restaurants of local or diffident countries.
- Program: Everyday you make light star, smash at your accommodation with local volunteers. You have free time every evenings you and local volunteers will have many fun activities. At the weekend you can go travel in Ha Long Bay, Sapa, etc.
- Location: You will live at a house near Red River
- Terminal: You catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use bus.
- Remarks: The volunteers should come with Santa Claus clothes and they will collect second hand clothes to give to the very poor children. They don’t have enough warm clothes in winter. Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country, etc. Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.9. Special work camp: Repair boats for poor people at Fisher Village on Red River
Code: SJV080 Date: 5/5-17/5. Type: Social
- Work: Carry materials from city to the Fisher Village, help poor people repair their house (boats) in water of Red River, under Long Bien Bridge, in Hanoi capital, Vietnam.
- Accommodation and food: Volunteers will stay in a Youth House of SJ Vietnam with basic accommodation. It is near local market and very easy to go to city center. You can cook by yourself.
- Program: We just organize this work camp one time a year. Every morning you star work from 9: 00 am to 11: 00 am and in the afternoon you work from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm. You have free time at weekend so you can travel in many beautiful places near Hanoi, Viet Nam.
- Location: It is a peaceful, small village near Red River where very poor people who are rubbish collectors live.
- Terminal: You catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use public bus.
- Remarks: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, raincoat, materials and pictures of your country
3.11. Lunar New Year
Code: Volunteers join a group of local people and volunteers to make ‘Chung” cake and give them as happy gifts for the Lunar New Year. Volunteers organize special party, give gifts to the street children and children with HIV/AIDS and wish them a Happy New Year.
- Accommodation and Food: You will stay in one of our Youth Houses with very simple and basic facilities. Volunteers should be ready to sleep on floor. All volunteers have to prepare and cook meals for themselves.
- Program: Volunteers work from 9 am to 11 am. Iin the afternoon from 2 pm until 4 pm. Volunteers have free time after 4 pm.
- Location: It is near the centre of Ha Noi.
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country.
Do not forget smiles.
4. LIST OF LONG-TERM PROJECTS
4.1. SJV-L081: YOUTH HOUSE SCHOOL
Type: KID/DISA/SOCI/ENVI/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Cooking lunch for the children, teaching English, cleaning the Youth House.
Objectives: SJ Vietnam has set up an informal “school” (Youth House School) for the children near the Fisher Village. It is a small education center for disadvantaged and poor street children. SJ Vietnam encourages the children to go to our Youth House School regularly for free basic education and free meals. We have been increasing their awareness of the need of education which can hopefully help them to get a simple job and a more secure future with independent living and a good economic status.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc), a great chance for you to try the most food in the world as well.
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam.
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work with street children.
4.2. SJV-L082: HAI DUONG WELFARE CENTER AND HANNAH KINDERGARTEN.
Type: KID/DISA/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Volunteers will lead the painting and drawing classes, computer classes, organize games and take care of infants during free time at the welfare center. Volunteers also teach English to the children in Hannah Kindergarten.
Objectives: To encourage the disabled children to integrate into the community and communicate more with other people. From volunteer work, we would like to help the children to be more self-confident.
Accommodation & Food: Volunteers will stay with the kids at the center. The accommodation is very simple, basic, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, mosquito net needed. Food will be provided by the center. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Trip to Con Son, Kiep Bac to enjoy the valleys, the mountains, the water falls, streams or a trip to Halong bay – one of the most beautiful, natural bays of Vietnam.
Location: Hai Duong city (50 km from Hanoi).
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work with disabled children of different levels of disability.
4.3. SJV-L083: XUAN THUY NATIONAL MARINE PARK
Type: ENVI/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Clean the river banks, plant trees, build garbage storages in the national park; organize workshops or campaigns to raise awareness of the local people about environmental protection and the ecology systems. Volunteers also organize informal English classes for the young people in the village to encourage them to communicate in English.
Objectives: To demonstrate the role of volunteering and bilateral partnerships for development. To develop eco-tourism and to raise awareness about environmental protection.
Accommodation & Food: Home stay with the local people. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, mosquito net, plastic bowls and cups needed. Volunteers prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: To enjoy the nature of the park with many different types of bird species. Besides, biking, sailing and bird watching is very interesting as well.
Location: Xuan Giao, Nam Dinh (150 km from Hanoi).
Remarks: Volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work hard.
4.4. SJV-L084: ENGLISH TUTORS FOR BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Type: KID/DISA/
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Tutor English to the blind children and adults, records tapes.
Objectives: Volunteers help the blind children and adults in daily activities, teach them English and encourage them to communicate more with others.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work with disabled people.
4.5. SJV-L085: ENGLISH TUTORS AND GAME ORGANIZERS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN IN VIETNAM
Type: KID/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Teach English to the children organize games for them, talk with them.
Objectives: Volunteers are English teacher and game organizers for children... Volunteers are expected to share the feelings and difficulties with the children by listening and understanding their stories. Try to create friendly English environment communication both for Vietnamese tutors and children. To ensure the fundamental rights to physical and spiritual growth for pediatrics patients, like communication, knowledge, amusement, creative games, and physical exercises.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work with disabled people.
4.6. SJV-L086: HOLD THE FUTURE – CENTER FOR DISABLED PEOPLE AND TEENAGERS
Type: DISA/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Join daily activities with disabled people at the center, help them to make products, organize informal classes to give the people there a general education to improve their education level.
Objectives: The volunteers will help the disable in their daily activities such as going to the centre, making simple hand-made products, organizing leisure games and trying to encourage them to be more self-confident in communicating with everybody.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work with disabled people.
4.7. SJV-L087: SJ VIETNAM OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Type: SOCI/MANA
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: work in the SJ Vietnam office as an official staff.
Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of volunteerism in Vietnam as well as to promote SJ Vietnam projects and its activities.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy, ready to deal with different situations.
4. 8. SJV-L088: SJ VIETNAM WORK CAMP MANAGEMENT
Type: SOCI/MANA
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Coordinate, monitor and evaluate work camps
Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of volunteerism in Vietnam as well as to promote SJ Vietnam projects and its activities.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Vietnam.
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy, ready to deal with different situations.
4.9. SJV-L089: SJ VIETNAM WEBSITE UPDATING AND MANAGEMENT
Type: SOCI/MANA
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Manage SJ Vietnam’s website, update information, and write articles for on the website.
Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of volunteerism in Vietnam as well as to promote SJ Vietnam projects and its activities.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy, ready to deal with different situations.
4.10. ENGLISH TEACHERS FOR THE KIDS AT KIDS FUN SCHOOL AND COORDINATOR FOR A CREATIVE WORKSHOP FOR KIDS OF THE FISHER VILLAGE
Type: KIDS/SOCI/DISA/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Teach English to the kids at the school, prepare workshops every 6 months
Objectives: Volunteers help to run a creative workshop for kids from the Fisher Village which aims to create an artistic performance in conjunction with a charity event jointly organized by KIDSFUN and SJ Vietnam. During the workshop, through a combination of drama, dance, songs and story-telling, kids will learn English, dance, songs and acting in an immersive and original way. At the end of 6 months, the total amount generated from the volunteer's activity will be donated to a specific fund, dedicated to the children of the Fisher Village (See project SJV-L081).
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy, ready to deal with different situations.
WHAT TO BRING TO VIETNAM AND OUR PROJECTS
From December to April, the weather can be easily changeable: warm at days and quite cold especially in the evening, take warm clothes and raining clothes!
- You should bring some summer clothes with you because it is about 12-20*C degree in winter in Vietnam. Occasionally, it is 7-8*C, you can bring some warm clothes as well.
- You need to take your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, cups, bowls and something from your country to share with others.
- Something you need to remember:
• Limit clothing that will attract attention such as short skirts or shorts, sleeveless or plunging necklines. These clothes may attract unwanted attention or offend the sensibilities of your co-participants or Vietnamese outside our accommodation.
• The participants need to have their own travel assurance and medical assurance. Before you go to Vietnam, you need to make sure you got adequate insurance coverage.
VISA
A valid passport and a visa are required of all foreigners visiting Vietnam. With very few exceptions, there is no such thing as a "visa on arrival." Visas are issued by Vietnamese embassies and consulates. Some overseas offices of Vietnam tourism are able to issue tourist visas.
Tourist visas are good for thirty days and may be extended after your arrival in Vietnam.
You don’t need invitation letter from us, apply for tourist visa ONLY.
Don’t start to explain that you come here to be volunteers, to help the poor children, etc…. Except if you want to spend 3 days of explanation at embassy and not receive your visa for “national security reasons”
Make at least 3 photocopies of your passport and visa and put them in different place. Keep the other photocopies for yourself. It can be very useful if you lost your papers.
Know the address of your embassy in Hanoi before coming!
INFORMATION ABOUT HANOI AND VIETNAM
WELCOME TO HANOI
Brief introduction
Located in the northern part of Vietnam, Hanoi is the capital of this South-East Asian country. A thousand year old city, situated at the banks of the Red River, with an estimated population of about 4 million. With many colourful districts including the French styled Old Quarter near Hoan Kiem lake, the modern New Quarter, and the more touristy Tay Ho. Altogether, Hanoi is a buzzing and exciting city with many interesting places to visit, a city never to forget.
Getting to Hanoi
The most common way for international volunteers to arrive in Hanoi is by airplane. Noi Bai international airport (HAN/VVNB) is situated about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north-east from Hanoi and is easily reached by bus, taxi or motorbike.
Money
The Vietnamese currency is the "Vietnamese Dong" (VND). The exchange rate in January 2008 was:
1 USD = 15,952 VND
1 EUR = 22,874 VND
Check the exact change at http://finance.yahoo.com/currency.
Be sure that you understand how to convert your national money to/from Vietnamese Dong before to come!!! And count the money that you receive back when you change your money.
Weather
In Hanoi there are four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But it is possible to divide the climate into two main seasons: the rainy season from May to September (it’s hot, heavy rain), and the dry season is from October to April (it’s cold, little rainfall).
Few days before to come, check the weather news at http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/VN_cc.htm (in English) or
You need some winter clothes from December to February and summer cotton clothes and light rain clothes in summer!!!
Best thing to do
Anyone who has ever visited Hanoi will probably tell you that it may be the most beautiful city in all of Asia. A city between the rivers, built from lowland, Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometime is called "city of lakes". Among its lakes, the most famous are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Tay ho Lake, Bay mau Lake, ... As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural centre of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike.
If you are in Hanoi, museums are the first recommendation for you to visit such as Ho Chi Minh museum, Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi’s Fine Arts Museum, Women’s Museum,
Army Museum, Air Force Museum and many more.
Visit http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293924-Activities-c6-Hanoi.html to have more information.
If you want to enjoy Vietnamese history in a very interesting ways, why don’t come to the water puppet show. This fantastic art form originated in northern Vietnam, and Hanoi is the best place to see it. At the Municipal Water Puppet Theater (Roi Nuoc Thang Long, phone: 825 5450, 57B Pho Dinh Tien Hoang, admission 20,000-40,000d, still-camera fee 10,000d, video fee 50,000d, performances at 6.30pm & 8pm, 9.30pm Sun), the higher admission price buys the best seats and a take-home cassette of the music, fans and multilingual programs are free – it helps to read up on each vignette as it’s performed. Check out the faces of enthralled Vietnamese kids in the audience – they’re magic.
Vietnamese food
Vietnamese cuisine (cuisine translates to ?m th?c in Vietnamese: ?m: drink and th?c: food) is known for its common use of fish sauce, soy sauce and hoisin sauce. Vietnamese recipes use many vegetables, herbs and spices. Throughout all regions the emphasis is always on serving fresh vegetables and/or fresh herbs as side dishes along with dipping sauce. The Vietnamese also have a number of Buddhist vegetarian dishes. The most common meats used in Vietnamese cuisine are pork, beef, prawns, various kinds of tropical fish, and chicken. Vietnam is especially famous for Pho. If you don’t try it when you visit Vietnam that means you have never been there!!!
For more specialties of Hanoi, please visit: http://www.hotels-in-vietnam.com/hotels/food.html
Markets
Dong Xuan Market is a three storey market in the Old Quarter, 900m north of Hoan Kiem Lake. The market burned down in 1994, killing five people, all of whom had entered the building after he fire started, to either rescue goods or steal them. It has now been rebuilt and is a tourist attraction in its own right. There are hundreds of stalls here, employing around 3000 people.
Hang Da Market is a relatively small market, but it is good for imported foods, wine, beer and flowers. The 2nd floor is good for fabric and ready-made clothing.
Shopping for souvenirs
The old quarter is the best place to find all the things with very reasonable price such as Pho Hang Bong, Pho Hang Gai, and Pho Hang Dao. Night Market opens every Friday and Saturday night in Pho Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Hang Duong where you can buy many things but remember to make bargain if you don’t want to pay with double price.
USEFUL WEBSITES
Transportation
http://gotohanoi.com, www.dulichvietnam.com.vn
Foreign Consulates:
http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/vietnam/hanoi/useful-information/foreign-consulates-in-hanoi.html
Hanoi health information:
http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/vietnam/hanoi/useful-information/hanoi-health-information.html
Emergency phone:
http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/vietnam/hanoi/useful-information/hanoi-emergency-phone-numbers.html
You can read useful information:
http://www.vietnamtourism.com, http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/south_east_asia/vietnam.
www.sjvietnam.org
+84 (0)4 719 5080
Since its beginning, SJ Vietnam has had a lot support of our partners, networks, friends and volunteers.
SJ Vietnam is a full member of CCIVS and NVDA since 2006. We are also a partner of YAP and Alliance.
Thank to the great partnership, we have gained big success with more than 3000 local members, 500 international volunteers.
In January 2008, SJ Vietnam was a co-host organization of NVDA General Assembly (with VPV) in Hanoi.
We will have 50 work camps, 12 long-term projects, 4 national projects with World Bank and Ministry of Health, which aim to poor children, less-fortuned kids in National Pediatric hospital, HIV/AIDS and safety traffic in Vietnam.
For the achievements, we are sincerely grateful to our partners, friends, sponsors, donors, volunteers, especially Solidarités Jeunesses, NICE, IWO, Greenway, Javva.
We are also very thankful to Un Etai pour le Vietnam, a French student association in Toulouse who have been coordinating with us in project “Youth House-School for disadvantaged and street children at Fisher Village in Ha Noi, Vietnam” since 2005.
We look forward to strengthening partnership with you and welcoming your volunteers to SJ Vietnam projects for sustainable development in beautiful Vietnam.
Yours sincerely,
On behalf of SJ Vietnam
Director
Do Thi Phuc
1. SJ Vietnam Introduction
SJ Vietnam is an international youth NGO (Non-Government Organization) which started in 2004 in Vietnam from an international work camp granted by United Nation Volunteers.
Our office at SJ Vietnam International Youth House: No.10D, Lane 28 Tay Ho Street, Ha Noi. (www.sjvietnam.org)
We promote peace, solidarity and active citizenship through international voluntary service. It’s an independent, non political and non religious organization open to everybody without any distinction of nationality, race, philosophy, financial resource, education or sex.
ACTIVITIES
A. Work camp:
Work camps organized by SJ Vietnam in or around Hanoi that seek to provide an experience that connects solidarity, intercultural learning, and community life to help disadvantaged, street, poor and blind children, needy children in paediatric hospital and disabled, old, homeless people.
B. Long-term Volunteer Projects:
Our long term projects are organized in Ha No, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh for environment and society to gain sustainable development
C. World Bank projects:
In 2006, SJ Vietnam won the World Bank’s Innovation Day reward for “Bring a Smile– Soothe the pain” and “Youth House” project to help out the poor, street disadvantaged children in the fisher village living under Long Bien Bridge and needy children in National pediatric hospital of Vietnam. Furthermore, in 2007 two projects “Safety Traffic” project and “HIV awareness for street children” project were also the granted by Ministry of Health and World Bank in a contest of “Vietnam innovation day”. .
D. Training courses, seminars and conferences:
SJ Vietnam organizes regular workshops, seminars and conferences and training for thousands of its members which provide young volunteers conflict management, leadership, intercultural learning and volunteering skills, etc.
E. Festivals and events:
For Vietnamese festivals such as International Children’s Day, Mid-Autumn festival, Christmas and Tet holiday, SJ Vietnam holds events to celebrate these meaningful occasions for less-fortuned children and people to give them equal opportunity and lots of smiles, happiness.
F. Sending volunteers abroad:
Through net work of international partners, SJ Vietnam offers Vietnamese volunteers the chance to join work camps abroad
How to contact us?
Our office is open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6pm GMT +7.
Our address: No 10D, lane 28, Tay Ho Street, Ha Noi, Vietnam
Tel: +84.4.7195080/ +84.4.2154993
Fax: +84.4.7195080
Skype/Yahoo/MSN ID: sj.vietnam
Website: www.sjvietnam.org
General email: info@sjvietnam.org
Work camps: workcamp@sjvietnam.org
Long term projects: ltv@sjvietnam.org
For partnership, please contact our director at: phuc@sjvietnam.org
Thank you very much for your cooperation and please discover our program in wonderful Vietnam as following!
2. Work camp Calendar 2008
Normally, SJ Vietnam’s work camps vary from environmental, educational, art, construction, social work. Our volunteers stay in basic accommodation, schools and welfare centers that promotes group living. The common language is English, although the volunteers are encouraged to learn the basics of the local language. In some work camps, the hosts or the volunteers organize discussion, excursion, exchange parties, school visit, and sports programs.
The work camps are ten days to two weeks, and three weeks or four weeks with Vietnamese camp leaders. The volunteers take local buses to and from the sites.
We are a non-profit organization with no external income so we charge volunteers coming from developed countries participation fee of 150 Euros (you can pay in US$ or Vietnam Dong with approximate amount), which includes accommodation (you can watch a video one of our camp places at:
(http://vietnam.solidaritesjeunesses.org/video/volunteers/visit%20of%20SJ%20House.avi),
which cover the cost of all projects (ex. free food, scholarship, donation, festivals for disadvantaged children and people, materials, training for locals), local transport, local food and 30% of these fees will be used to SJ Vietnam administration (staff salary, rent, phone office work, etc).
SJ Vietnam encourages people with difficulty to join our work camps. Please contact us for more detail.
When the volunteers are accepted, we will send you an updated info sheet.
Participate in our work camps to have great fun and enjoy amazingly charming Vietnam!
SJ Vietnam 2008 Work camp Calendar
3. 1. Hold the Future Centre (for disable adult and teenage)
Code
- Work: The volunteers help disable people in their daily job of making simple hand made products. Volunteers also organize leisure/social activities for them during their free time or on weekends. The volunteers are expected to create a friendly English environment, to help them learning this language. We are looking for volunteers who work well with disadvantaged people.
- Accommodation and Food: You will stay in one of our Youth Houses with very simple and basic facilities. Volunteers should be ready to sleep on floor. All volunteers have to prepare and cook meals for themselves.
You can have breakfast and lunch on the way you go to work. You can cook or go out for dinner with other volunteers.
- Program: Catch bus from accommodation to Welfare Center at 8:30 am every working day. Work from 9 am to 11 am. Volunteers can have lunch near Center. In the afternoon, work starts from 2 pm to 4 pm. Volunteers have free time after 4 pm.
- Location: It is near the centre of Ha Noi.
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country. Do not forget smiles.
3.2. Fisher Village (Youth House School for disadvantaged and street children)
Code SJV 0804 SJV 0821 16/6-28/6
- Type: Edu/Soc/Teach/Kid
- Work:teaching, cleaning and cooking with local volunteers.
- Accommodation and Food: Volunteers will stay in one of our Youth Houses with very simple and basic facilities. Volunteers should be ready to sleep on floor. All volunteers have to prepare and cook meals for themselves.
- Program: Work starts at 9 am. A group (team 1) will go to market to buy food for lunch with local volunteers. Team 2: teaching children and team 3 will clean the house. You will have lunch with children and in the evening you can go out or cook by yourself.
- Location: Near Red River and Center of Ha Noi. You have to catch bus to go to our office.
- Remarks: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country. Do not forget smile
3. 3. Hospital for Children
Code Date
SJV 08053
- Type: Kid/soci/art
- Work: Teaching children to draw and painting, organize games.
- Accommodation and Food: Volunteers will stay in one of our Youth Houses with very simple and basic facilities. Volunteers should be ready to sleep on floor. All volunteers have to prepare and cook meals for themselves.
- Program: Every morning the volunteers prepare activities for afternoon to play with kids, and will work in the hospital with children every afternoon. You have free time in the evenings.
- Location: It is near the centre of Ha Noi.
- Terminal: You catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use bus.
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country, etc.Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.4. Welfare Center in Hai Duong for orphanages and disability
Code Date
SJV 0806
Type: Dis/kid/soci/teach
- Work: teaching children to draw and painting, organize games, play with kids.
- Accommodation and Food: You will stay at the hostel of the children. Food will be provided by the center.
- Program: Every morning volunteers get up quite early to help children cleaning and preparing to go to school and then help children to have breakfast. Work starts at 8 am to 11:00 pm. Volunteers have lunch with children and start work in the afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30pm. In the evening you have free time you can have fun activities with kids or exchange culture with locals.
- Location: Hai Duong is far from Ha Noi city about 50 km.
- Transportation: You catch bus from Ha Noi to Hai Duong
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country or some tools. Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.5. World Heritage camp:
Code SJV0848 Date 22/9 – 4/10
Type: Env/Soci/Cul/Art
- Work: cleaning beaches, planting, to draw and painting, organize workshops, performing and exchanging with local youth
- Accommodation and Food: You will stay at the hostel of local youth union with basic condition
- Program: Every morning volunteers will make campaign and clean beaches with local. You will organize many creative activities to raise awareness of locals for sustainable protection of the World Heritage site. In the evening you have free time you can have funny activities or exchange culture with locals.
- Location: Halong is far from Ha Noi city about 170 km.
- Transportation: You catch bus from Ha Noi to Halong Bay
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country or some tools. Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.6. Water Filter for poor people living on slum boats on Red River
Code
- Work: Making water filter for the people living near the red river.
- Accommodation and Food: Volunteers will stay in one of our Youth Houses with very simple and basic facilities. Volunteers should be ready to sleep on floor. All volunteers have to prepare and cook meals for themselves.
- Program: Every morning the volunteers go to Island of Red River. You and local volunteer will make water filter for people live there from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. You can bring food with you. You have free time every evening.
- Location: It is near the centre of Ha Noi
- Terminal: You catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use bus.
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country. Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.7. Children’s Day Festival
Code
- Accommodation and Food: We have a house with bathroom, toilet, and water. Volunteers can cook for your meal everyday or go out. There are many restaurants of local or different countries.
- Program: Volunteers will organize “Children’s Day” (1st of June) festival for disadvantaged children in welfare centers, National Pediatric Hospital of Vietnam, street and orphan children and children with HIV. Time is free at the evening.
- Location: Near of the centre of Ha Noi
- Terminal: Volunteers can catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use bus.
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country, etc. Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.8. Mid-Autumn Festival - Arte Diem project (promote peace through art)
Code
- Accommodation and Food: We have a house with bathroom, toilet, and water. Volunteers can cook for their meals everyday or go out. There are many restaurants of local or diffident countries.
- Program: Everyday Volunteers make stars at their accommodation with local volunteers. You have free time every evenings you and local volunteers will have many fun activities. At the weekend you can go travel in Ha Long Bay, Sapa, etc.
- Location: You will live at a house near Red River
- Terminal: You catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use bus.
- Remarks: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, raincoat, instruments and pictures of your country.
3.9. Christmas and New Year festival for disadvantaged children
Code
- Work: Making presents and organize small party for disable children.
- Accommodation and Food: We have a house with bathroom, toilet, and water. You can cook for your meal everyday or go out. There are many restaurants of local or diffident countries.
- Program: Everyday you make light star, smash at your accommodation with local volunteers. You have free time every evenings you and local volunteers will have many fun activities. At the weekend you can go travel in Ha Long Bay, Sapa, etc.
- Location: You will live at a house near Red River
- Terminal: You catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use bus.
- Remarks: The volunteers should come with Santa Claus clothes and they will collect second hand clothes to give to the very poor children. They don’t have enough warm clothes in winter. Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country, etc. Do not forget smiles on your lips.
3.9. Special work camp: Repair boats for poor people at Fisher Village on Red River
Code: SJV080 Date: 5/5-17/5. Type: Social
- Work: Carry materials from city to the Fisher Village, help poor people repair their house (boats) in water of Red River, under Long Bien Bridge, in Hanoi capital, Vietnam.
- Accommodation and food: Volunteers will stay in a Youth House of SJ Vietnam with basic accommodation. It is near local market and very easy to go to city center. You can cook by yourself.
- Program: We just organize this work camp one time a year. Every morning you star work from 9: 00 am to 11: 00 am and in the afternoon you work from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm. You have free time at weekend so you can travel in many beautiful places near Hanoi, Viet Nam.
- Location: It is a peaceful, small village near Red River where very poor people who are rubbish collectors live.
- Terminal: You catch taxi or bus from Airport to your accommodation and everyday you can use public bus.
- Remarks: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, raincoat, materials and pictures of your country
3.11. Lunar New Year
Code: Volunteers join a group of local people and volunteers to make ‘Chung” cake and give them as happy gifts for the Lunar New Year. Volunteers organize special party, give gifts to the street children and children with HIV/AIDS and wish them a Happy New Year.
- Accommodation and Food: You will stay in one of our Youth Houses with very simple and basic facilities. Volunteers should be ready to sleep on floor. All volunteers have to prepare and cook meals for themselves.
- Program: Volunteers work from 9 am to 11 am. Iin the afternoon from 2 pm until 4 pm. Volunteers have free time after 4 pm.
- Location: It is near the centre of Ha Noi.
- Comments: Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country.
Do not forget smiles.
4. LIST OF LONG-TERM PROJECTS
4.1. SJV-L081: YOUTH HOUSE SCHOOL
Type: KID/DISA/SOCI/ENVI/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Cooking lunch for the children, teaching English, cleaning the Youth House.
Objectives: SJ Vietnam has set up an informal “school” (Youth House School) for the children near the Fisher Village. It is a small education center for disadvantaged and poor street children. SJ Vietnam encourages the children to go to our Youth House School regularly for free basic education and free meals. We have been increasing their awareness of the need of education which can hopefully help them to get a simple job and a more secure future with independent living and a good economic status.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc), a great chance for you to try the most food in the world as well.
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam.
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work with street children.
4.2. SJV-L082: HAI DUONG WELFARE CENTER AND HANNAH KINDERGARTEN.
Type: KID/DISA/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Volunteers will lead the painting and drawing classes, computer classes, organize games and take care of infants during free time at the welfare center. Volunteers also teach English to the children in Hannah Kindergarten.
Objectives: To encourage the disabled children to integrate into the community and communicate more with other people. From volunteer work, we would like to help the children to be more self-confident.
Accommodation & Food: Volunteers will stay with the kids at the center. The accommodation is very simple, basic, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, mosquito net needed. Food will be provided by the center. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Trip to Con Son, Kiep Bac to enjoy the valleys, the mountains, the water falls, streams or a trip to Halong bay – one of the most beautiful, natural bays of Vietnam.
Location: Hai Duong city (50 km from Hanoi).
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work with disabled children of different levels of disability.
4.3. SJV-L083: XUAN THUY NATIONAL MARINE PARK
Type: ENVI/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Clean the river banks, plant trees, build garbage storages in the national park; organize workshops or campaigns to raise awareness of the local people about environmental protection and the ecology systems. Volunteers also organize informal English classes for the young people in the village to encourage them to communicate in English.
Objectives: To demonstrate the role of volunteering and bilateral partnerships for development. To develop eco-tourism and to raise awareness about environmental protection.
Accommodation & Food: Home stay with the local people. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, mosquito net, plastic bowls and cups needed. Volunteers prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: To enjoy the nature of the park with many different types of bird species. Besides, biking, sailing and bird watching is very interesting as well.
Location: Xuan Giao, Nam Dinh (150 km from Hanoi).
Remarks: Volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work hard.
4.4. SJV-L084: ENGLISH TUTORS FOR BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Type: KID/DISA/
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Tutor English to the blind children and adults, records tapes.
Objectives: Volunteers help the blind children and adults in daily activities, teach them English and encourage them to communicate more with others.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work with disabled people.
4.5. SJV-L085: ENGLISH TUTORS AND GAME ORGANIZERS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN IN VIETNAM
Type: KID/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Teach English to the children organize games for them, talk with them.
Objectives: Volunteers are English teacher and game organizers for children... Volunteers are expected to share the feelings and difficulties with the children by listening and understanding their stories. Try to create friendly English environment communication both for Vietnamese tutors and children. To ensure the fundamental rights to physical and spiritual growth for pediatrics patients, like communication, knowledge, amusement, creative games, and physical exercises.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work with disabled people.
4.6. SJV-L086: HOLD THE FUTURE – CENTER FOR DISABLED PEOPLE AND TEENAGERS
Type: DISA/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Join daily activities with disabled people at the center, help them to make products, organize informal classes to give the people there a general education to improve their education level.
Objectives: The volunteers will help the disable in their daily activities such as going to the centre, making simple hand-made products, organizing leisure games and trying to encourage them to be more self-confident in communicating with everybody.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy and ready to work with disabled people.
4.7. SJV-L087: SJ VIETNAM OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Type: SOCI/MANA
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: work in the SJ Vietnam office as an official staff.
Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of volunteerism in Vietnam as well as to promote SJ Vietnam projects and its activities.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy, ready to deal with different situations.
4. 8. SJV-L088: SJ VIETNAM WORK CAMP MANAGEMENT
Type: SOCI/MANA
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Coordinate, monitor and evaluate work camps
Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of volunteerism in Vietnam as well as to promote SJ Vietnam projects and its activities.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Vietnam.
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy, ready to deal with different situations.
4.9. SJV-L089: SJ VIETNAM WEBSITE UPDATING AND MANAGEMENT
Type: SOCI/MANA
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Manage SJ Vietnam’s website, update information, and write articles for on the website.
Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of volunteerism in Vietnam as well as to promote SJ Vietnam projects and its activities.
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy, ready to deal with different situations.
4.10. ENGLISH TEACHERS FOR THE KIDS AT KIDS FUN SCHOOL AND COORDINATOR FOR A CREATIVE WORKSHOP FOR KIDS OF THE FISHER VILLAGE
Type: KIDS/SOCI/DISA/EDU
Language: English
Age: 18+
Work: Teach English to the kids at the school, prepare workshops every 6 months
Objectives: Volunteers help to run a creative workshop for kids from the Fisher Village which aims to create an artistic performance in conjunction with a charity event jointly organized by KIDSFUN and SJ Vietnam. During the workshop, through a combination of drama, dance, songs and story-telling, kids will learn English, dance, songs and acting in an immersive and original way. At the end of 6 months, the total amount generated from the volunteer's activity will be donated to a specific fund, dedicated to the children of the Fisher Village (See project SJV-L081).
Accommodation & Food: Stay in one of the Youth Houses of SJ Vietnam for volunteers. The accommodation is very simple, basic and volunteers should be ready to sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, and mosquito net needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen. Vegetarian catering is possible.
Program: Hanoi offers many historical and cultural places, events and possibilities for free time activities (e.g. visiting the old quarter, museums, cinemas, clubs, lakes, etc).
Location: Hanoi, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Vietnam
Remarks: Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, working clothes, working gloves, plastic bowls, and cups really needed. Besides, volunteers should be enthusiastic, optimistic, and full of energy, ready to deal with different situations.
WHAT TO BRING TO VIETNAM AND OUR PROJECTS
From December to April, the weather can be easily changeable: warm at days and quite cold especially in the evening, take warm clothes and raining clothes!
- You should bring some summer clothes with you because it is about 12-20*C degree in winter in Vietnam. Occasionally, it is 7-8*C, you can bring some warm clothes as well.
- You need to take your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, cups, bowls and something from your country to share with others.
- Something you need to remember:
• Limit clothing that will attract attention such as short skirts or shorts, sleeveless or plunging necklines. These clothes may attract unwanted attention or offend the sensibilities of your co-participants or Vietnamese outside our accommodation.
• The participants need to have their own travel assurance and medical assurance. Before you go to Vietnam, you need to make sure you got adequate insurance coverage.
VISA
A valid passport and a visa are required of all foreigners visiting Vietnam. With very few exceptions, there is no such thing as a "visa on arrival." Visas are issued by Vietnamese embassies and consulates. Some overseas offices of Vietnam tourism are able to issue tourist visas.
Tourist visas are good for thirty days and may be extended after your arrival in Vietnam.
You don’t need invitation letter from us, apply for tourist visa ONLY.
Don’t start to explain that you come here to be volunteers, to help the poor children, etc…. Except if you want to spend 3 days of explanation at embassy and not receive your visa for “national security reasons”
Make at least 3 photocopies of your passport and visa and put them in different place. Keep the other photocopies for yourself. It can be very useful if you lost your papers.
Know the address of your embassy in Hanoi before coming!
INFORMATION ABOUT HANOI AND VIETNAM
WELCOME TO HANOI
Brief introduction
Located in the northern part of Vietnam, Hanoi is the capital of this South-East Asian country. A thousand year old city, situated at the banks of the Red River, with an estimated population of about 4 million. With many colourful districts including the French styled Old Quarter near Hoan Kiem lake, the modern New Quarter, and the more touristy Tay Ho. Altogether, Hanoi is a buzzing and exciting city with many interesting places to visit, a city never to forget.
Getting to Hanoi
The most common way for international volunteers to arrive in Hanoi is by airplane. Noi Bai international airport (HAN/VVNB) is situated about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north-east from Hanoi and is easily reached by bus, taxi or motorbike.
Money
The Vietnamese currency is the "Vietnamese Dong" (VND). The exchange rate in January 2008 was:
1 USD = 15,952 VND
1 EUR = 22,874 VND
Check the exact change at http://finance.yahoo.com/currency.
Be sure that you understand how to convert your national money to/from Vietnamese Dong before to come!!! And count the money that you receive back when you change your money.
Weather
In Hanoi there are four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But it is possible to divide the climate into two main seasons: the rainy season from May to September (it’s hot, heavy rain), and the dry season is from October to April (it’s cold, little rainfall).
Few days before to come, check the weather news at http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/VN_cc.htm (in English) or
You need some winter clothes from December to February and summer cotton clothes and light rain clothes in summer!!!
Best thing to do
Anyone who has ever visited Hanoi will probably tell you that it may be the most beautiful city in all of Asia. A city between the rivers, built from lowland, Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometime is called "city of lakes". Among its lakes, the most famous are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Tay ho Lake, Bay mau Lake, ... As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural centre of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike.
If you are in Hanoi, museums are the first recommendation for you to visit such as Ho Chi Minh museum, Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi’s Fine Arts Museum, Women’s Museum,
Army Museum, Air Force Museum and many more.
Visit http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293924-Activities-c6-Hanoi.html to have more information.
If you want to enjoy Vietnamese history in a very interesting ways, why don’t come to the water puppet show. This fantastic art form originated in northern Vietnam, and Hanoi is the best place to see it. At the Municipal Water Puppet Theater (Roi Nuoc Thang Long, phone: 825 5450, 57B Pho Dinh Tien Hoang, admission 20,000-40,000d, still-camera fee 10,000d, video fee 50,000d, performances at 6.30pm & 8pm, 9.30pm Sun), the higher admission price buys the best seats and a take-home cassette of the music, fans and multilingual programs are free – it helps to read up on each vignette as it’s performed. Check out the faces of enthralled Vietnamese kids in the audience – they’re magic.
Vietnamese food
Vietnamese cuisine (cuisine translates to ?m th?c in Vietnamese: ?m: drink and th?c: food) is known for its common use of fish sauce, soy sauce and hoisin sauce. Vietnamese recipes use many vegetables, herbs and spices. Throughout all regions the emphasis is always on serving fresh vegetables and/or fresh herbs as side dishes along with dipping sauce. The Vietnamese also have a number of Buddhist vegetarian dishes. The most common meats used in Vietnamese cuisine are pork, beef, prawns, various kinds of tropical fish, and chicken. Vietnam is especially famous for Pho. If you don’t try it when you visit Vietnam that means you have never been there!!!
For more specialties of Hanoi, please visit: http://www.hotels-in-vietnam.com/hotels/food.html
Markets
Dong Xuan Market is a three storey market in the Old Quarter, 900m north of Hoan Kiem Lake. The market burned down in 1994, killing five people, all of whom had entered the building after he fire started, to either rescue goods or steal them. It has now been rebuilt and is a tourist attraction in its own right. There are hundreds of stalls here, employing around 3000 people.
Hang Da Market is a relatively small market, but it is good for imported foods, wine, beer and flowers. The 2nd floor is good for fabric and ready-made clothing.
Shopping for souvenirs
The old quarter is the best place to find all the things with very reasonable price such as Pho Hang Bong, Pho Hang Gai, and Pho Hang Dao. Night Market opens every Friday and Saturday night in Pho Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Hang Duong where you can buy many things but remember to make bargain if you don’t want to pay with double price.
USEFUL WEBSITES
Transportation
http://gotohanoi.com, www.dulichvietnam.com.vn
Foreign Consulates:
http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/vietnam/hanoi/useful-information/foreign-consulates-in-hanoi.html
Hanoi health information:
http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/vietnam/hanoi/useful-information/hanoi-health-information.html
Emergency phone:
http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/vietnam/hanoi/useful-information/hanoi-emergency-phone-numbers.html
You can read useful information:
http://www.vietnamtourism.com, http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/south_east_asia/vietnam.
www.sjvietnam.org
+84 (0)4 719 5080
