Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#From fear of unfamiliar environments to a mindset of embracing challenges. #Confidence in communicating and building relationships in English. #I have warm memories from connecting with the children.
Building Memories with Kids in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Hello, I'm Kim Mi-ji, a gapper who did volunteer work for two weeks in Ho Chi Minh. I participated in the project "The Moment My Existence Shines, Sharing Happiness with the Children of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam".
This March, I unexpectedly took a voluntary retirement due to financial difficulties at my company, and this made me think deeply about my future career and life. During this time, I learned about the concept of a 'gap year' and thought about the things I truly wanted to do and what I was interested in. I wanted to have time to expand my perspective and reflect on myself through new experiences rather than just passing time.
In this process, I remembered my long-held bucket list of volunteering abroad. Since I love children and enjoy spending time with them, I thought this project was the best fit for me to spend meaningful time while connecting with kids, so I decided to participate. I wanted to overcome the fear of a strange environment and interact with various people while gaining new insights, and experience positively influencing someone through activities with children.
Since I usually went on short trips of three nights for foreign travel, I had many worries about staying abroad for a long time. There was also the burden of needing to communicate in English, and I was somewhat passive in mingling with new people. However, the preparation process before departure was guided step by step, and the orientation materials provided were detailed, allowing me to prepare progressively. Because of this, I could relieve a lot of the burden of preparing for departure and start my volunteer work with a more comfortable mind.
Upon arrival, I met with the coordinator at the school at 7:45 AM and took a bus to the destination. The morning activities ran mainly from 8:30 to 11:10 AM, and after lunch, we had our own rest time until 2 PM. The afternoon activities ended at 3:30 PM, followed by free time.
There was ample free time to explore the area or interact with other participants, allowing us to rest and recharge.
The accommodation was in an eight-person room and was clean and comfortable to live in. Staying with participants from different nationalities allowed for natural interaction and exposed me to different thoughts and values, broadening my perspective. I remember how a Korean friend helped me a lot when I struggled with communication due to my poor English conversation skills. I gained confidence that even if my English isn't perfect, the willingness to communicate is enough to build relationships.
The most touching moments were the times spent with the two-and-a-half-year-old kids I looked after. At first, they seemed unfamiliar with me and wary, but as time went on, they began to approach me first and smiled brightly. Watching them naturally come and sit on my lap or hold my hand was truly sweet and memorable. Although we spoke different languages, the pure expressions and warm hearts of the children were clearly conveyed, and I genuinely came to care for them.
Through this volunteer work, I also reconsidered the challenges and significance of being a childcare teacher. I observed that on some days, two teachers cared for about 9 kids, and on busy days, about 15. I saw firsthand that putting the kids together, feeding them, and taking care of nap times is not an easy task. I came to understand how much effort the teachers put into ensuring the kids' safety and well-being, which deepened my respect for them. The overall safety management of living and activities was well-organized, and I felt reassured to participate in the program thanks to the quick guidance and response from the coordinators.
For personal reasons, there was a time I needed to contact the coordinator over the weekend, and I truly appreciate how quickly they responded and helped me with what I needed, even on a weekend. This volunteer experience was not just a time of warm connection with the children but also a valuable lesson about the worth and responsibility of caring for someone. I learned that even a small amount of attention and affection can positively impact each other. If I had to score the help this project provided in changing my life, I would give it a 7 out of 10.
While in Ho Chi Minh, I visited places like Bui Vien Street and Ben Thanh Market. On weekends, it was nice to take time off to go to other areas like Phu Quoc or Nha Trang. I learned to understand thoughts and cultures by interacting with people from various backgrounds, fostering a sense of understanding and consideration between us. I want to tell future participants not to be afraid and to challenge themselves.
This gap year experience was more than just a simple volunteering trip for me. My fear of unfamiliar environments has greatly reduced, and I've learned to enjoy growing alongside diverse people without fear of new challenges. In the future, I want to actively challenge myself and experience a broader world rather than shy away from unfamiliar experiences. Although it was a short time, I created precious memories that will last a long time, making it a meaningful moment that gave me the opportunity to grow.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
Home
Take a step out of your comfort zone.
Challenge yourself for your own sake.
Feel complete freedom.
Be happy.
