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Brilliant 4.72rating (254)

Special Needs Care and Assistance

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Provide assistence at a children’s home that cares for 20-25 Vietnamese children.
  • Provide a helping hand to local staff, whilst gaining valuable experience in special needs care.
  • Assist the local staff to take care of the children, including feeding, playing games, doing various activites and putting a smile on their faces.

Highlights

  • Provide assistence at a children’s home that cares for 20-25 Vietnamese children.
  • Provide a helping hand to local staff, whilst gaining valuable experience in special needs care.
  • Assist the local staff to take care of the children, including feeding, playing games, doing various activites and putting a smile on their faces.
  • Help with their speech and muscular abilities.
  • Play, sing, dance, art classes, nail painting, face painting and more!

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    50+

    About the program

    Special needs volunteering in Vietnam can be a very rewarding opportunity. Put a smile on these kids’ faces as you play games and creative activities with them!

    You will volunteer at a children’s home that cares for 20-25 Vietnamese children, who have a variety of disabilities. Your main role as a volunteer is to play with the kids and care for them. Your daily roles include comforting the children, playing games, and interacting with them. Previous ...

    About the program

    You will volunteer at a children’s home that cares for 20-25 Vietnamese children, who have a variety of disabilities. Your main role as a volunteer is to play with the kids and care for them. Your daily roles include comforting the children, playing games, and interacting with them. Previous experience in this field would be helpful but not essential.

    One of the most important roles in improving the quality of the children’s lives, is enhancing their speech and muscular capacity. Specific daily activities are carried out for the children, in which you can get involved with.

    The children also love to play games, dance and sing. Painting, art and other creative activities is encouraged by the local staff and loved by the children!

    *During the Lunar New Year and other holidays, a special program may be run. 

    Location
    Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is home to some 6 million people, most of whom you will see at some point during your stay as they whiz around town on their motorbikes. The city’s Tan Son Nhat Airport lies 7km north west of the city centre and is the most popular arrival point in Vietnam for international travellers. As well as long haul arrivals there are many flights to HCMC from within Asia, especially from Bangkok and Hong Kong.

    Project Tasks
    Help care for disabled children, improving their wellbeing
    Gain an insight into local practices and assist the Vietnamese staff
    Acquire valuable teaching experience and learn the basics of how to take care of special needs children


    Typical day

    Monday
    On your first Monday, you will be introduced to the project and the staff. You will get the chance to discuss your role at the project with the local team. You’ll be introduced to the children and get familiarised with how the children’s home is run.

    Tuesday to Friday
    You will start your ...

    Typical day

    Monday
    On your first Monday, you will be introduced to the project and the staff. You will get the chance to discuss your role at the project with the local team. You’ll be introduced to the children and get familiarised with how the children’s home is run.

    Tuesday to Friday
    You will start your project at the disabled children’s home. Your volunteer duties will depend upon the needs of the children’s home at the time. You can expect to be playing games and other activities with the children, such as helping with their speech and posture. Please note: there will be a long break for lunch.

    Volunteering is 4-6 hours a day. 

    *Please be aware that transportation for projects during the week is only provided via bus (public transport). If any participant would like to use a taxi instead, they can do it at their own expense. Our team will assist in getting taxis if they prefer to do so.

    *Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience. 


    Free-time activities

    As a large city, Ho Chi Minh has a lot to offer from shops to Vietnamese water puppet shows. Here are a few suggestions:

    Backpacker street
    Bui Vien Street is the main street in Ho Chi Minh City, also called ‘backpacker street’. There are many cheap restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, massage ...

    Free-time activities

    As a large city, Ho Chi Minh has a lot to offer from shops to Vietnamese water puppet shows. Here are a few suggestions:

    Backpacker street
    Bui Vien Street is the main street in Ho Chi Minh City, also called ‘backpacker street’. There are many cheap restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, massage parlours, markets, tour agencies and hotels/hostels. This is a great place for tourists to shop, dine, entertainment and to party!

    Landmark 81
    Landmark 81 is the tallest skyscraper in Southeast Asia. It towers over the rest of Ho Chi Minh’s buildings and has incredible views form the top. Not only that, it also has an ice rink, virtual reality game, restaurant and shops!

    Bitexco tower
    Another place to go for a great view of the city. There is an observation deck (Saigon Skydeck) open daily and offering panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City. From floors 50 to 52, there are more entertainment facilities, including a fine dining restaurant and bar/nightclub.

    Dam Sen cultural park and Water Park
    Fun for adults as well as kids, this water park is guaranteed to get you smiling! Plus, it also has some lovely gardens to walk around too. There’s animals, musical shows and restaurants too, making it a fun day trip.

    Thien Hau temple
    Thien Hau Temple is a beautiful Chinese temple, situated in district 5 of Ho Chi Minh city. It is dedicated to Thien Hau, (also named the Lady of the Sea). Inside there are many intricate carvings, statues and paintings, a very pretty and atmospheric place to visit.

    Vietnam Quoc Tu pagoda
    The Quoc Tu Pagoda is located in District 10 of Ho Chi Minh City, and is another interesting temple to explore, with its lovely incense smells, colourful statues, murals and shrines. It’s one of the tallest pagodas in the city with 7 floors. Usually only the first and second floors are open, but they open up the third and seventh floor to visitors every 15th of the month.

    Monkey Island
    A couple of hours out from the city is ‘Monkey Island’, also known as Can Gio Island. This huge 80,000 hectare nature reserve contains mangrove trees, water coconut forests, and yes- monkeys! Hundreds of them live wild here and they will be sure to say hello to you- just be sure not to bring food with you, they are pesky little creatures!

    Ba Den mountain (The black virgin mountain)
    The Ba Den Mountain trail takes you through lush jungle, mountain streams and caves, before reaching its rugged top. You can also take a cable car up to the top to see some wonderful views from above, sometimes from above the clouds!

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Education Requirements

    at High School level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    Police check or working with children check

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Accommodation
    3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
    Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
    Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
    1 day orientation
    Daily transportation to project
    In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
    Fundraising support
    University course credits (where applicable)
    Certificate of Completion

    Airport Pickup at Tan Son Nhat International Airport

    Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

    A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). You must arrive between 06:00 - 22:00 on Saturday or Sunday.

    If arriving outside the pickup times you can book a private transfer and any extra nights for an additional fee.

    If arriving on Saturday, you will need to pay for an extra night’s accommodation, or arrange your own accommodation for the night.

    Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

    From the airport to the Ho Chi Minh accommodation, it takes 20 minutes by taxi. From the airport to the Phan Thiet accommodation, it takes 5 hours by public bus, and to the Mekong Delta around 4 hours by public bus.

    Accommodation

    All accommodation and meals are included in the cost of the programs. All volunteers are expected to be environmentally aware and to use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. You will be expected to clean up after yourself, and to play your part to keep the accommodation neat and organized.

    In Ho Chi Minh City, the accommodation is in a volunteer centre which is located on a college campus. You will share the rooms with fellow participants, but be in close proximity with local students. This allows a really nice cultural exchange and bonding. Rooms are dorm-style with 6-8 people per room. Rooms are well equipped with air conditioning, and good sized single gender bathrooms, clean and functional. Internet access is available at the accommodation and there are various internet cafe’s nearby.

    *Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.


    Private Room Upgrade: please contact us directly for options and pricing

    *Please note: Upgrade prices can change, so please check the price with us first

    Food & Beverages

    3 good meals are provided every weekday during your project, with 2 meals on the weekends (breakfast & dinner). Bottled water is easily available in Vietnam and volunteers should budget approx US$1 per day.  There is also filtered water available at the campus.

    You will be eating local Vietnamese dishes, with predominantly rice at most meals. The Vietnamese cuisine is known for its fresh flavours, soups and stir-fries. There may also be some western dishes such as spaghetti and sandwiches.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. We assist you to find cheap flights to Vietnam. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Vietnam provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Vietnam you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Vietnam. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $357 per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
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    Location

    Asia > South East Asia > Vietnam > Ho Chi Minh City

    Meet your project coordinator

    Lauren
    254
    reviews
    4.72
    Brilliant
    1989
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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