Magaly helps children in Vietnam

TIME is running out!!! Help me go to Vietnam to help defenseless children!!

My name is Magaly Sanchez and I am a high school student in CA, United States.

I have been recently given the opportunity to volunteer overseas in Vietnam, to work with children in a centre in the Bavi Province. However, going on this trip means I have to pay a lot of money (estimated $4000).

Short Review

Ill be leaving to Vietnam in July, but the program fee is due on the first week of April ($1997). I will be going to Vietnam to volunteer in a centre in the Bavi Province. Exactly what I'll be doing during my stay will be determined once I arrive and I have my evaluation with the head of the centre, but I could be either teaching english to children, caring for infant, disabled children, or nondisabled orphans. Ofcourse I'll also be helping around doing some chores. Though my stay is short and my work won't make a drastic difference, I hope that the children will atleast be happy and cared for while I'm there.

 

Program I am volunteering with

I will be volunteering with the Global Volunteer Network (GVN), or more specifically under the Vietnam Youth Volunteer Experience.

Program Overview

The Vietnam Youth Volunteer Experience was specifically designed with 15-17 yr. olds in mind. It was created to give teens like me a chance to participate in one of their many rewarding programs. Volunteers from different countries come togehter to immerse themselves in a developing country, to experience a different culture, and stimulate their personal growth, all while helping others in need. The program is held in a different country every year, though this is the second year it's being held in Vietnam. The program allows the volunteers to experience a shorter version of its standard programs with additional benefits like 24-hour supervision (credit to GVN's program overview). For more information on the Global Volunteer Network, visit globalvolunteernetwork.org

You can also check out all past volunteers' journals at volunteers' journals.

Or if you'd like to view journals from past volunteers in Vietnam specifically you can go  here.

The most inspirational journal entry I've read has to be from Laurie Kanefsky.

Why I want to volunteer

I believe giving is a privilege for those who have a little more to give. I may not have the money, but I have the passion, skill, and committment that others may not. My mission in life is to share all I have with those who need it and accept it.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

- Margaret Mead (1902-1978); CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGIST

Vietnam and the impact of my volunteer work

Vietnam is a country recovering from decades of war, colomialism, and an impoverished command economy. It has recently begun its attempt at becoming a market economy, though this requires a more educated workforce.

A lot of children in Vietnam live in such poverty they can't attend school regularly and must work instead. Some children spend their days without any adult care, and many of them have disabilities. There are also many elderly people that have no means of income or family to support them. Though there are centres in Vietnam that host these children and elderly, there are often not enough resources or volunteers to help take care of everyone and keep the centres running smoothly. From the accounts of past volunteers, many of the centre they have volunteered in have only on average 30 staff for 300 residents at any given time.

As part of my service in Vietnam, I will be volunteering at a centre in Ba Vi province (90 hours on bus from Hanoi). There I will be working either in rehabilitation with disabled children, teaching English to children, or taking care of young children and babies without disabilities (depending on my evaluation upon arrival to the centre). 

The children will recieve all my love and attention as long as I'm there, and after I return I will continue to support the project in Vietnam. 

The cost of volunteering abroad

It is not nearly as inexpensive to volunteer as one would expect. There are a lot of costs associated with volunteering, especially if it's overseas.

Program fee: $1,997 + all volunteers are required to make a minimum donation of $200 

flight ticket: tickets range from $1,200- $1,800, depending on the season and airline.

immunization: when travelling, for whichever purpose, some countries require it's visitants to have certain vaccinations before they arrive. The cost for my vaccinations would be around $50.

travel insurance: $247

passport and visa: estimated $200 total

The impact of your donation

Your donation, however large or small it might be, will go toward paying the program fee and other expenses accompanied with volunteering abroad, e.g. travel insurance and vaccinations.

Any funds beyond my goal will go toward supplies for the centre and the US Based GVN Foundation for philanthropic purposes.

Reward

There is no minimum donation amount required, but I am offering rewards for certain donation amounts.

 * Every donation will be publicly acknowledged on my personal social media accounts.

-Facebook: facebook.com/MagalySanchez17

-Instagram: lampno1

 **If you would like to keep your donation anonymous I will respect and honor your request

All rewards will be given out after my return from Vietnam

*You can donate even if you don't have a paypal account

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