| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
refugee
Joined: 21 Dec 2009
Posts: 33
|
 Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:18 pm Post subject: Volunteer teaching/NGO? |
 |
|
I'm looking to do some volunteering in Hanoi and am looking for reputable organisations.
I'd perhaps be most useful/valuable teaching English to underprivileged kids.
Internet searches turn up dozens of semi-scam organisations who're basically looking for free foreign labour in exchange for free board. One even wanted teachers to pay to work. I've also heard about people being scammed under the pretense of teaching poor kids and end up relentlessly confiscating iphones in class...
So anybody have any positive experiences with reputable organisations or such like? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
1st Sgt Welsh
Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Good for you refugee  . When I was in Hanoi a few of my friends and I did volunteer work for the Blue Dragon. They are legit and sound like exactly what you are after. Here is the link:
http://www.streetkidsinvietnam.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
refugee
Joined: 21 Dec 2009
Posts: 33
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 3:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
OK thanks, I have contacted them.
Would you mind sharing some info about what you did there or any stories? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
A LOT of them are scams - should you see ANYTHING that says, like - "COST: $500 for processing expenses" or something like that, they DO get free labour out of you, and then claim that you "...have earned valuable experience!'
...and they're correct -you will have been blessed with the ability to recognise the next scam posing as a volunteer opportunity.
Basically - try to talk to anybody who has volunteered at a place before, or put out some names of places that you are interested in volunteering at here on Dave's.
To avoid the free volunteer labour scam, TRY TO observe if the "Director" or administrative/receptionist staff happens to be handling any money from adults randomly coming in! I've heard about one such school/"charity" from one friend, read an article about another place a couple years ago...but I had only heard about a couple of them (like, literally only two....few and far between, I'm sure) in Viet Nam that have posed as "...benefiting the orphans and street kids and girls of the night through education...." and so forth where it actually is nothing but a for-profit school.
THIS place looks fairly legit, plus you get the added bonus of being in thee most geographically beautiful place in all of Viet Nam - http://www.sapaochau.org/
Good luck, and I hope you have a rewarding experience!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
refugee
Joined: 21 Dec 2009
Posts: 33
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
1st Sgt Welsh
Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| refugee wrote: |
OK thanks, I have contacted them.
Would you mind sharing some info about what you did there or any stories? |
Not really a lot to tell. I was tutoring one young Vietnamese guy from the countryside who needed to improve his English so he could apply for a scholarship to Australia. Wasn't really doing it that long before I got transferred down to Saigon. I had two friends who were teaching there longer and they were doing fairly small classes (only about four or five adolescent students per class as I recall).
If you are interested, I'd suggest just meeting with one of the administrators, have a chat and check the place out. When I was there they were always after volunteers (especially for weekends) and, based on everything I saw, the organization was completely on the level and I have no hesitation recommending getting involved  . |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
