Vietnam

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Aisling Heeran on why you need to volunteer in Vietnam!

Submitted by Caitriona on 10 August 2011 - 2:11pm

My name is Aisling Heeran and I am a student from Leitrim.  This summer I decided to do some volunteer work in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam for 6 weeks and I can definitely say that I’m delighted that I made the decision.  Before departing I was all excited, eager to explore the unknown and discover new traditions and a new way of life but when I arrived the first thing I discovered was that I wasn’t as brave as I thought I was!!  I spent 2 sleepless nights wondering what I was doing in this warm humid country, thousands of miles away from home.  I felt very alone a

'Just Do It!-Ciara Spain's Experience in Vietnam'

Submitted by Caitriona on 28 July 2011 - 3:06pm

When I declared to my family and friends that I would be volunteering in Vietnam I was met with an air of concern. As I’m only 19 it did seem a bit strange to everyone that I wasn’t so keen on a 3 week trip to Ibiza with my friends. However after a long chat with Anton from EIL I felt totally reassured and more eager than ever to take on the expedition. I had previously volunteered in Kenya and Namibia on school building projects. From these trips grew an urge to work more with children.

Neasa, Rose and Annmarie in Vietnam!

The experience has been very rewarding but also challenging at times. As we were told during the interview and the predeparture workshop, your role as a volunteer can be quite unclear at first and it may seem that you don't have a role, however, we tried to focus on the children and contribute in any way we could.

I'm getting on great here in Vietnam!

As my time here is coming to an end I'm in the process of writing up profiles on each of the children for future volunteers. I'm putting together details such as how to communicate with the children, tips for feeding them and what games they like to play. It has been a lot of fun preparing these profiles as I've realised how well I've gotten to know them over the last 2 months and the children have really enjoyed getting their profile pictures taken as well!

I'm half way through the programme already!?

I would recommend any volunteer coming here to be open minded, to be prepared for the humidity and the chaotic traffic, to be mindful of the different culture, to accept customs and the way the Vietnamese live, they will have a great time, there is much to enjoy with these hard working, friendly, resilient people. I would recommend this programme to everyone, while it may seem you're not having much of an impact you're presence

The 'Nam'

Submitted by Brona Higgins on 13 July 2009 - 12:49pm

Xin Chao!!

So Im finally getting round to writing this - after six weeks in here. Can't believe Ive been here this long already.....Vietnam has definitely been an unbelievable experience so far - crazy, frustrating even at times but mostly unbelievable. I feel like Ive settled in well and havent hit any difficulties or home sickness...yet....so fingers crossed....