Location:

Hanoi, Viet Nam

Program Type:

Volunteer Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Work Types:

Education, Health, Social Services

Duration:

1-3 months

Program Overview

Program Description:

Volunteer to help victims of Agent Orange. A tragic legacy of the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s is the millions of people affected by Agent Orange. Between 1961 and 1971, the US military dumped millions of gallons of herbicide nicknamed Agent Orange on Vietnam. The defoliant released dioxins into the environment causing massive health problems in exposed populations. Many of the victims are small children whose parents were exposed to dioxin, suffered chromosomal damage, and gave birth to children with birth defects. ELI works with organizations committed to helping the victims of Agent Orange. These organizations area home to the children and provide medical care. Volunteers in this program will assist in providing day to day care to the children, lead activities for the children, and assist the center staff with tasks around the center. Qualified volunteers can assist in the clinic or with physiotherapy and occupational therapy exercises.

ELI, a registered non-profit organization, partners with organizations from around the world that make a difference in their communities. We work closely with these groups to ensure ELI volunteers get meaningful experiences at reasonable prices.

Setting Description:

Hanoi is the temperate capital and center of learning in Vietnam. The city has a rapidly growing population of 3 million and has managed to retain much of its French Colonial Charm despite the wars of the 20th century. Volunteer placements in the areas of health, community development, and teaching are available in Hanoi and will offer participants insight on the daily life in Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh City pulses with tropical energy. The city is home to over 6 million people and is the quickly expanding commercial capital of Vietnam. The City’s name was changed to honor the founder of the Vietnamese Communist Party in 1975. Most Southerners still refer to the city as Saigon, but officially, Saigon refers only to district 1.