Volunteering in Vietnam and with VPV is an experience I would recommend to anyone.
Being mid-way through my career, and deciding to take a break to try something different, I found myself volunteering in Vietnam for a three-month assignment. I assumed I’d be one of the older volunteers, and even though I was, I only noticed it a couple of times...kidding! Despite the age difference I never really noticed it, as I think everyone in the house connected through the shared experiences of being in a new country, not knowing the language, and learning our jobs.
The project I worked on was at the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD). SRD is a Vietnamese non-governmental organization (NGO) that supports poor rural communities to adapt to the changing environment and sustainably manage their own livelihoods.
My background being in software development, I did not have the experience or knowledge to contribute directly to projects in the field, though that’s not what I was there for. My work consisted of helping to streamline their back office operations (improve daily time keeping, automate project invoicing) and support project reporting (proofread project reports that were translated to English).
I couldn’t have asked for better colleagues at SRD, they were incredibly welcoming, supportive, and the daily lunches where we all ate together, really gave it a family atmosphere.
Additionally, the staff at VPV made coming to and settling in a new country a very easy process. From being met at the airport, check-ins throughout the duration of the project, and until my last day, I couldn’t have asked for more.