The Temple Orphanage program through ELI in Vietnam is designed to help shelter children from the harsh realities of life, even though they have already experienced a little of it. As a volunteer, I will be staying in a dorm that is situated close to the orphanage in Vietnam. Travel may require bus, but the site is feasibly within walking distance. Currently, I am in contact with the program specialist located here in the United States, Malissa Spero. She has provided me with much information about the typical goings-on of a volunteer placed in Vietnam.
Throughout Saigon, there is a full-time medical staff with roughly 10 nurses that we will be able to assist. Many of the children in these orphanages have disabilities, and as volunteers we will be able to lend a hand to the medical staff in terms of paperwork and the physical therapy that is given to the children. More important, we will be able to develop a strong connection with these children as more time is spent with them. I feel that this bond will become a good foundation for these children and bring light and happiness into their life. In addition to helping with the medical staff, we will also be focusing on giving these children a chance at receiving a higher-level education. Most of the children attend school on a regular basis, but due to their situation, they easily fall behind in school. The orphanage tries to help these children by hosting extra tutoring sessions. My trilingual background allows me to specialize in tutoring English in addition to helping with other subjects. By encouraging the children to do well in school, their confidence will increase and we can better integrate them into the community, giving them the first step into a brighter future. Volunteers will also lead activities and games for the children in order to create a sense of family within the orphanage. Through forming an amiable environment, the program attempts to give these children as normal a life as possible.
Ivy Tran
