The Childcare Program
This amazing program will warm the heart of any international volunteer with a love for working with children and helping those in true need. Volunteers on this project will be based in the largest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, a bustling metropolis jam-packed with culture and sights. From street food vendors selling local fare (all travellers must try the delicious ‘pho’) to historic war sights and museums, this city truly is an amazing place to visit, however, it is also one that neglects the most vulnerable in its society. Ho Chi Minh’s children are suffering and international volunteers are needed to provide support. As a developing nation, poverty levels are high, and children suffer from many ills, such as a lack of nutrition, to low levels of education and health. This project works with a variety of childcare centres, providing education, shelter, care and food to children whose parents are unable to provide daily care. Volunteers assist local caregivers and supply much-needed labor to support these children and provide the attention they deserve.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide quality childcare to the vulnerable children of Ho Chi Minh
- Improve the future prospects of local children through academic, social and emotional support
- Provide a basic education to those in need
- Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both children and international volunteers alike
How You Can Help
Volunteers play an essential role in helping Ho Chi Minh’s disadvantaged children through this wonderful program. Participants will spend their time taking care of children and will assist the local staff as needed. Volunteers will be busy working with the children by providing care essentials, playing games with them and are encouraged to use their skills and interests to develop fun things for the children to do. Participants may also wish to teach the children basic English and other subjects. Volunteers’ tasks will be varied and could differ day to day, however tasks may include helping at meal times with cooking, cleaning and feeding the children or helping the program with administrative functions. Regardless of the task, volunteers will relish this opportunity to provide care and compassion to some of Ho Chi Minh’s must vulnerable children and to provide a safe and happy environment for them to thrive.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Helping to teach children
- Attending to and interacting with the children
- Creating activities and entertaining the children with games and songs
- Teaching basic English and hygiene practices
- Help with feeding and cleaning duties where required
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to assist in the ongoing support and development of marginalized and at-risk children of Vietnam. This highly interactive and varied project does not require participants to have a background in the field of childcare, as there are many ways you can assist. However, volunteers with suitable education, qualifications or experience are highly sought after. Regardless, a volunteer’s individual role can often be tailored to suit their particular skills and interests. Importantly, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
Project Location
Volunteers on this important program are fortunate enough to be based in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City.
Having risen from the ashes of a turbulent past this former French colony, still known colloquially as Sai Gon, is storming into the future with panache. Visitors will be swept up in the excitement and awed by the evident extremes: modern vs traditional, past vs future and luxury vs simplicity. Ho Chi Minh has so much to offer the international traveler.
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs on MONDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 2 weeks to 6 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Volunteers are met on arrival into Ho Chi Minh and taken to the accommodation to settle in. An orientation session is held on Tuesday to introduce volunteers to the programs and their new environment. The session will cover safety, transportation, basic culture and history and is a chance to get to know other volunteers and the local team and ask any questions you may have.
- Arrival Day: MONDAY, ANYTIME AFTER 10AM
- Departure Day: SUNDAY 8PM TO MONDAY 10AM.
- Arrival Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam (Code: SGN)
Airport transfer is also available on departure, from 8pm Monday to 10am Tuesday.
For arrivals and departures outside these times a US$16 fee will apply.
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers in Ho Chi Minh are accommodated with one of our friendly host families. All families have been carefully vetted by the local team and offer the unique opportunity to be immersed in the Vietnamese culture and way of life.
All host family homes are clean and comfortable by local standards and include basic amenities such as private bathrooms with hot showers, western toilets, laundry facilities and fans for the summer months. Wi-Fi is also available free of charge. All families have experience hosting international volunteers. Depending on the time of year it may be necessary to share a room with other volunteers of the same gender.
Bed linen is provided so volunteers need only bring personal toiletries and towels.
Host families will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner daily thought the placement. Volunteers are also welcome to explore the city and eat out at the many local restaurants and cafes serving traditional and international fare. Please note that all meals provided in the volunteer house are included in the program fees. When eating out it is the volunteer’s responsibility to cover the costs.
Vietnamese food focuses on fresh local ingredients, particularly fruit, vegetables and herbs. The famous noodle broth (pho) is a must try and sticky rice is another staple.
For volunteers, staying with a host family in Ho Chi Minh means they gain something that tourists miss out on: a ‘live’ authentic glimpse into family life and the character of the people. By having the opportunity to stay with a host family and by working right alongside the local population volunteers can really experience all that Vietnam has to offer!
Arriving early or wanting to stay on? Additional night's are US$21 per person per night.
Prefer to arrange your own accommodation? The program fees are adjusted accordingly as shown below. No meals are included. Airport transfers and transport to and from the placement are included. Binh Thanh District and Thu Duc District recommended.2 weeks $560
3 weeks $670
4 weeks $780
Each additional week $110
Fees
That’s just USD 51 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
During your time in Ho Chi Minh why not spend your weekends exploring this amazing location! Our local partner can assist with arranging weekend excursions to some of this area's most beautiful attractions. These can be booked through Love Volunteers in advance of your placement, or through the local team when you arrive. Easy!
MUI NE
Day 1: After breakfast the day starts with a 4 hour drive to Mui Ne by comfortable minivan. Enroute enjoy lunch at local restaurant and visit the Ta Cu tourist area. Take an excursion up Ta Cu Mountain, either by guided hike or cable car. When you reach Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda, aka Upper Pagoda, admire the 160-foot-long (49-meter) reclining Buddha statue — the largest in Southeast Asia — said to be entering the final state of nirvana. Leaving this scenic spot with its coastal views, you’ll arrive in the resort town of Mui Ne and check in to your hotel. After dinner enjoy the rest of your evening at your leisure, perhaps strolling along the beach.
Day 2: Awaken early to enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the Mui Ne Red Sand Dunes followed by breakfast. After a visit to the Fairy Stream and a fishing village use the rest of the morning to relax on the beach or take in some water sports at your leisure (own expense). Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine for lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City and concluding your tour with drop-off at your accommodation.
US$306
HO CHI MINH CITY – MACKONG DELTA
Day 1: After breakfast set off by air-conditioned minivan for a two and half hour drive to the city of My Tho, gateway to the Mekong Delta. Take in the scenic countryside as you travel and learn about the region from your expert guide. Upon arrival in My Tho board a small private boat for a cruise along the Mekong River. Stop at a fish farm to gain insight into one of the region’s cottage industries before continuing to another island for a guided stroll around lush gardens with a variety of tropical fruits to taste. Then visit a coconut-candy factory and nearby villages to learn more about local industries and daily life. Later on see a bee farm then transfer to smaller rowboats to travel on the shallow canals of the delta. Stop for lunch at a restaurant where your guide explains the regional cuisine and helps you select specialty dishes. After a tasty meal hop back in your boat and navigate narrow creeks to pass Phoenix Islet, a beautiful spot known for fish farming. In the afternoon you check into your accommodation and explore the beautiful city on your own.
Day 2: Wake up early and enjoy an authentic local breakfast before hopping on a bicycle to visit the village market with your guide. Browse stalls filled with fresh produce and other foods as morning shoppers bustle about. Then head back to your host's home for a fun lesson on Vietnamese cuisine as you help prepare lunch. Savor the meal and talk with the family before you return to Ho Chi Minh City.
US$306