How You Can Help
Volunteer in Vietnam
Volunteer
As health, disability and education are our core focus areas, the primary support we are seeking is within our medical services and therapy programs from professionals such as:
Nurses
Physiotherapists
Occupational Therapists
Developmental Play Therapists
Social Workers
Special Education Teachers
From time to time we have positions available in business, management and administration. These positions will be advertised on this website or through a professional volunteer placement organisation such as Australian Volunteers International, Australian Business Volunteers or Voluntary Service Organisation.
Current vacancies
CHIA is currently looking for volunteers for the following position/s: Physiotherapist (min. 6 months from late 2008)
The role of a volunteer
CHIA’s rotation of (western) professionals work side by side with our Vietnamese staff to provide ongoing guidance and training so the standard of services provided by CHIA are continually improving. Some Allied Health fields exist in name only in Vietnam with no academic training available, while in other fields academic training is in its infancy. We also ask that volunteers help to set up resources which can be accessed by all staff and volunteers, and if possible and appropriate, to run community education seminars in their specialist field.
What to expect
Most volunteers are pleasantly surprised by the intellectual stimulation of facing professional situations rarely experienced in western environments. Volunteering is not without its frustrations – with language, cultural and social misunderstandings common. We always endeavour to present our guidance as 'consider the advantages of….', when trying to influence habits and beliefs built up over many generations. A smile and a calm demeanour can go a long way towards smoothing over any differences of opinion. It is very uplifting to deal with our beneficiary families who are incredibly grateful for receiving guidance and direct assistance which they may have been seeking for years.
Volunteers do need to appreciate that whilst CHIA is an Australian registered non-government organisation, we work in Vietnam with local government partners and communities and respect the beliefs and cultures of this country.
Volunteer requirements
The minimum length of stay for a volunteer is normally 3 months. This is to allow sufficient time for the volunteer to learn about CHIA’s operations, adjust to the different culture and make the most effective contribution they can.
Predominantly we look for longer term volunteers who are able to help make a significant contribution to our ability to assess and treat children as well as increase the knowledge of CHIA staff.
CHIA works in partnership with the Vietnamese Government and we are limited to the number of volunteers we can have working with us at any one time.
Application process
People wishing to volunteer at Children’s Hope in Action can contact:
Health and Disability Services positions Carol Nagy, Health Services Manager - medical@childrenshopeinaction.org
Business / Management and Administration positions John Tobin, Business & Marketing Manager – dev1@childrenshopeinaction.org
Stage 1
Along with your CV/Resume, please send us details as to why you would like to volunteer at Children’s Hope in Action, what skills you have which you feel would be beneficial to CHIA, how long you are able to volunteer and the date you are available to start.
Stage 2
If you have been successful in your volunteer application and we have suitable positions available, we will request a police report from your home country. Please be aware that processing times for police reports in different countries vary greatly, with some countries taking long times to send reports. It is best to request this report as soon as possible after you have a positive response from CHIA.
Additional notes
As CHIA is a grassroots organisation we are not able to provide financial assistance to volunteers. When you are considering volunteering, please ensure you are able to financially support yourself for the duration of your stay.
We also request that you ensure you have appropriate medical and travel insurance in place and have had all relevant inoculations.
All volunteers are provided with an information pack prior to departure for Vietnam.
Australian Volunteers International
CHIA has a relationship with Australian Volunteers International (AVI) for long term professional placements. AVI is currently supporting CHIA through the provision of a Business and Marketing Manager, Project and Communications Manager and Health Services Manager. These roles are focused on improving management and operations systems within CHIA and capacity building local staff to ensure long term sustainability of CHIA. For further information on Australian Volunteers International visit their website at www.australianvolunteers.com.au
Thank you for your interest in supporting Children’s Hope in Action.
 |
 |
 |
| Sponsored by Australian Volunteers International (AVI), CHIA’s Health Services Manager, Carol, on her way to one of our clinics. | AVI business and management volunteers, John and Michelle, with Nhan in CHIA’s therapy clinic. | Dan and Briee, Occupational Therapy volunteers. |