Itinerary

Work Project

Volunteers, depending on number of volunteers per group, will be engaged in a variety of projects, from teaching English pronunciation and colloquialisms, the building of playgrounds and better homes to replace substandard housing, refurbishment of buildings for use as schools, work on kindergarten and primary schools, as well as village markets and other infrastructure to help raise the standards of living throughout rural Vietnam. (Kindergartens are not currently funded by the Vietnamese government). Disadvantaged youths living in rural areas outside of town are allowed to attend the schools we work on at no cost. All volunteers will teach Basic English and play games with the children, and assist with our new Portable Mobile Libraries Projects, called "Books to Live." This program is most appropriate for those over 18, unless traveling with a parent or guaradian, and those who feel reasonably confident about their overall fitness level. The work can be demanding and the climate is hot. As part of this project:

a) We're so grateful to anyone who can bring some children coloring books and crayons and anything that have to do with the libraries with them when they come. Books that can teach the teachers how to educate the children from grades 2-9, and about the world at large (such as geography). Other good things for the teachers and students are things like: good pens, nice note books, arts and school supplies, used or new

b) Visit with several schools. After visiting the schools, we have been asked to help write "evaluations" to indicate how, what and why they may to improve the education system in the Vietnamese countryside, and how to use these new "Portable Libraries Project" in schools in Vietnam successfully. This report will be a very important for the Vietnam Education Ministry Department. This is about a long term commitment to help educational programs for the future of Vietnamese countryside children, who have little access to education.

d) Help set up a simple library system and instructions on how to set up the books in each portable library. When the libraries come to each school, we have been asked to help train the teachers to use the books and system correctly. The schools want all the children to read 1 book per week and to make a book report for each book. What did they learn about the book and why? What did they think? We will award to the child who read the most, writes the most reports and to those who express themselves well. We have been asked to make a "books log" to hand out to the teachers and students in each school where we have our portable library set up.

f) Setting up libraries with Dong Phuong College

Projects vary depending on the number of volunteers, which projects were finished (or not) with the prior group, what priorities have changed, weather conditions, which supplies are available, and often the interest and fitness level of the volunteers. For these reasons, specific projects are often not fixed until the week prior to your arrival and can even change upon arrival.

Food and Lodging

Volunteers will be lodged in a simple hotel just outside of Hoi An. Running, hot water and flushing toilets are available as is limited electricity. Volunteers will be served local Vietnamese specialties - simply incomparable cuisine of fresh herbs, noodles, rice, meats and vegetables. The French influence has left behind a proud tradition of fine crusty breads, strong coffee, and a love of inventive cooking processes.
Leisure Activities

Simply walking in this World Heritage Site is a sheer joy, but volunteers can use free time to discover the charming bridges in colonial old town Hoi An, China Beach, Champa ruins at My Son, Hue, Marble Mountain, among many other highlights.

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