Finishing Up our Work in Hanoi

Millennium Development Goals

Achieved by this Team:
720 hours of classroom instruction by

14 volunteers, six hours/day

140 hours of preparation time

One high school;Two universities

4,100 students impacted

These excerpts from our team journal provide a brief glimpse into unique volunteer opportunities in Hanoi, Vietnam. We're all very grateful to be able to serve in this way, at this time, in this city. If you've ever considered visiting Vietnam, please contact Global Volunteers to learn how you can provide a truly needed service at the high school and university levels. Who knows? You may end up teaching a future leader of this developing country!

Thursday, Dec. 4

This being my second trip with Global Volunteers, after one month I’ve become a true “Hanoian.”
The pandemonium that is the streets and daily life of Vietnam is actually a controlled chaos, and finely tuned orchestra. From our vantage point above the street, we watched as the various performers played their parts…sometimes solo, sometimes in group, with the occasional cymbal crash….all without a conductor. In the school, we’re teachers….not in the sense of the tenured nine-month professionals back home, but as the old-time storytellers, passing down wisdom and knowledge to the next generation. We’re grandparents and uncles and aunts teaching what cannot be found in books….our life experiences.

Sometimes I get frustrated with the excitement and noise which follows the children from the streets through the gates and into the classroom, but I keep in mind that my main objective is to help out, and our grass-roots diplomacy provides lessons and memories that will last all their lives. - Leo Pyzynski

Friday, Dec. 5

(With apologies to Dr. Seuss): Our trip is done; Our trip was fun; Let’s hope to do another one!

Leo and Ruthanne approached their morning with a rambunctious gang of first-graders with some trepidation. With mixed feelings, we spent the last morning with the smaller first-grade class, which was fine for all. The children colored and sang songs. Leo and Ruthanne joined with them in a rousing rendition of the Hokey Pokey. We’ll miss them. After dinner, the 6th graders threw a surprise “party” for Leo and Ruthanne, complete with confetti, beautiful gifts (framed pictures and edible goodies) and undeserved adulation. Very special. Finally, our “Last Supper” as a team we began two weeks ago as individuals and now we truly have become a team. We are all very sorry to say good bye. Really “au revoir,” certainly not “adieu.” Ciao,
-Ruth DeWolfe

Second Week of Service Vietnam Team 3

Millennium Development Goals Achieved:
14 volunteers, six hours/day

English conversational skills

One high school;
Two universities

4,100 students impacted

Monday, Dec 1

Awakened again by what I like to call the “dawn horn” – by this I refer to the incessant traffic noise, of course. The Vietnamese are early risers. Must be all that snake wine they drink.

Monday morning in Hanoi – quite the contrast to the weekend in Halong Bay. A switch from yesterday’s calm waters, caves, karsts, coves and kayaks to today’s chaotic cacophony of car horns, classrooms and kids.

The fact that I’d overeaten at breakfast became all to apparent when I sat on a classroom bench and it collapsed. What little credibility I had with Group 7A was clearly gone now!

Our high school Global Volunteers seemed to get back into the flow of teaching without too much trouble, although some groups (of students) tend to be easier than others.

Highlights of the day included classroom discussions about World AIDS Awareness Day, and Patrick being hugged by a 12th-grade girl, followed by Jenny teaching the verb: “to blush.” And, let’s not forget the overly friendly security guard whose daily big smile and handshake for me have been augmented by puckered lips and an expectant lean. It all happens in Week #2!

After a team meeting and another lesson in “survival Vietnamese” the majority of the team dined al fresco while watching the crescent moon descend (and listening to the car horns, of course). – Emma Pedgrift

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008

The team met at 7:3o to start the 7th day of teaching. Michele, our kind and knowledgeable leader, shares our meeting schedule and attempts to reach into each volunteer’s head. Most acknowledge their understanding of the times for events.

Emma read her journal entry for Monday in her wonderful British style, and her humor brought much laughter to the team. The NBK Group’s bus arrived at the hotel at 8:15. There are nine of us volunteer teachers making the 30-minute trip to school. We normally arrive while a class is going through their morning exercise routine. We then split into 4 ½ teams (Amelia is working solo) to review the day’s agenda. Each class is jammed fully of teenage energy, noise, confusion, frustration and – hopefully – joy.

Today’s lunch break marked Leo’s baseball class attempting to hit a real baseball. Leo’s teaching of the Vietnamese girls and boys is priceless. Imagine a batting tee, a 12-year-old boy swinging a bat and driving a line shot into the middle of 500 bicycles! The show goes on today!

The bus arrives back at the hotel each day around 3:45. Today, Michele leads a group on a 40-minute adventure from the hotel through Hanoi’s maze of rush-hour traffic to the Temple of Literature, an area honoring Confucius. It’s an impressive site for intellectuals from all over the world.

Dining at the Koto restaurant and shopping at the nearby Handicraft Link is rewarding. These are both non-profit ventures to serve the needs of thousands of Hanoi’s “street kids.” The Koto Training Center teaches them skills in cooking and restaurant management.

Another trek back “home” through the evening streets…this time encountering Hanoi’s kids in their pajamas outside the storefronts getting ready for bed. Lots of smiling faces as we return to the hotel, tired but satisfied with our job well done for another day. Three more to go!
-Dick McKenney

The View From Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam.

Nov. 28, 2008

As our first week of teaching came to an end, we enjoyed another beautiful, sunny day.

Millennium Development Goals: Primary and Secondary Education
14 volunteers, 490 hours instruction; 4,100 students impacted

Tim, Jim and I had a wilder than usual taxi ride to Foreign Trade University this morning. Tim and I spent the morning in a 2.25-hour literature class assisting Ms. Huong and her 70 first-year business students. The topic was esssy writing, and Tim and I had the opportunity to brush up on our rusty knowledge of style, tone, rising action and phrasing. Many of the students have an impressive command of English, as one asked Tim and me the difference between "discrepancy" and "incongruity."

Tim, Jim and I had a brief 35-minute lunch of noodles and beef from styrofoam takeout boxes, while Mr. Tri, our Director at FTU, solicited our advice on the English language greeting to be included in the University's annual Lunar New Year greeting card. The pressure was on.

I spent my afternoon in Ms. Hue Chi's 2.25-hour marketing class for first-year international business students. I taught alone straight through the period. We asked each other many questions and discussed various topics. They taught me Vietnamese history and culture and are fans of Michael Phelps, Britney Spears, "High School Musical," and most things American or British. I told them about American education, politics, driving and traffic, geography and Vietnamese-Americans. One student asked how she could learn to think in English. Another wondered if everyone's vote was worth the same in the U.S.

Before returning to the hotel after our afternoon classes, Mr. Tri wished to further discuss the greeting card. I'm sure we will continue working on this Hallmark moment next week before it will be presented to the President of the University for final approval.

When I return home, I look forward to standing at the end of a crosswalk as six lanes of traffic part and I safely walk across the street to enjoy a big bowl of pho. I believe I can now join my fellow fun-loving team members as a veteran Global Volunteer.
- Donna Young

First Week at the Foreign Trade University:

The week went well. The students are friendly and enthusiastic, and the reception by the program director was well-organized. Other reflections: Big thrill riding on motor bike; young professor took me to her favorite dress shop -- helped economy by having six dresses made for women in my family!

Saturday, we needed R&R after a busy week. Most volunteers headed for Ha Long Bay, and Mary, Donna and I take the City Tour. Most noteworthy was the lake where (John) McCain crashed. Water puppet show; two pagodas also visited; Ho Chi Minh masoleum probably was the highlight. Our tour guide gave us a thorough history of Ho. Donna arranged a photo for me with an attractive bride at the memorial. (Young man to email photo tonight to my wife.) My previous emails home described "hardships" for volunteers doing their work....oh, well!

We've now seen Hanoi as tourists and are ready for our final work week. Dinner last night as the only man with three lovely women was fun! New expression coined: "Fox and the turtle."
- Jim Wilson

Tuesday, November 25th

Day Two with our service at Mguyen Bing Khiem High School, Hanoi University, and Foreign Trade University. After a full, confused somewhat stressful day of adjustment on Monday, we felt more confident in our teaching skills when we arrived at our mission on Tuesday eager to give of our time and talent.

The van was a bit late due to traffic congestion. We have to be on time because of the van blocks the flow of traffic on an extremely Narrow congested street. Horns blast continuously as motor bikes, cars, pedestrians slip thru dangerously narrow spaces. There are no rules to the road except to keep moving slowly and steadily without stopping.
We arrived at the school having enjoyed a 20 minute ride thru interesting Hanoi. The Van passed thru iron forged gates into a court yard where the kids were playing badminton but mostly fooling around. They were waiting to learn how to play baseball with Leo and Dick

School has five floors, no elevators and it is a challenge not to forget any teaching items.
The team congregated in the teacher’s room where we pooled our materials and resources.
A computer sits on the table next to the printer waiting for a cable and connection to the internet. A huge flat screen TV hangs on the wall playing some “action movie.” Mr Quy, our director, is most helpful and grateful for the team’s flexibility with the programs and assignments. Figuring how works is is another challenge but going with the flow seems to work
The students welcome us enthusiastically. They are eager to have us entertain them with our English and humor. I wonder how much they really understand. We try to be simple and make it fun..

Lunch is served at 11:15 in the basement of the school. We join the students at the tables after we are served rice, soup, fish fry, chicken, noodles, stir fry veggies and ice cream. After clean up, we return to our conference room for a nap. The entire school takes a nap until the gong is bonged..A cacophony of sound occurs, chatter, yelling horsing around, pushing shoving, talking, yelling as this massive student body of 2400 kids move to their assigned classes.
We do our thing….we try to represent a positive image from our country as ambassadors of good will to the Vietnam people..

At the end of the day we all exhausted and spent for putting forth 100% effort. Our desire to bring awareness and understanding between the two different cultures.. to build a positive relationship as we bring good will, friendship to our good neighbors. At three we pile into our van, quietly going over the day, sharing little vignettes of the day.
Everyone felt this day was a good one and how special to share our time and talent. Each day bringing about a closer bond with the Vietnamese people and team members.
-Amelia McKenney

Monday, November 24th, Hanoi, Vietnam

Our first day of real work. The pink-hued clouds and clear blue accents signalled a change -- not only in the weather but in our lives as volunteers and with hope, those of our students -- as we start our service in Hanoi.

Ruth Ann inspired the team with a quote: "To the Man of Goodwill, All the World is Home", Socrates.

And off we went to universities and high school waging peace and encouraging conversations.

Donna, Jim, and I headed to Hanoi's Foreign Trade University to support the faculty of the "English for Special Purposes" department. Our first large class of at least sixty represented the highest achievers in the English entrance exam process. They are 18 adn 19 year olds beginning their four-year journey towards specialization in Business Administration, Finance, or Economics.

A lively group of articulate students, eager to ask questions (with some prodding) and offer insight into their view of life in Vietnam and Hanoi. We encourage questions about our lives in the states as a springboard to questions specific to Vietnamese life. The students explained that most families consist of parents and two children. We also learned that time abroad is a common expectation in completing their BA education. Australia and the UK are the most common destinations.

Of course American movies and television have colored the student's conception of our reality and Donna and I attempted to ensure them that Los Angeles is not the violent world of Hollywood blockbusters!

I believe our time while short, can be a catalyst to encourage greater understanding and a willingness to explore the English language.

It is almost unworthy to mention that Global Volunteers has again maintained the alias "Teach 'n Eat" with the great food consumed overt times of fun and laughter. A noble start to our Adventures in Service. - Tim Cunniff

Report From Portugal

Team Four in Beja, Portugal

Monday, Sept. 29
Bom Dia! We had our first breakfast at the hotel before we set out for our various assignments. Scott and I had a walk of ten minutes or so to our school. In our first class, three girls were selected to show us around the school. One, who came from Mexico, had a good command of English. Perhaps being bi-lingual already made it easier to pick up another language. When we returned to class, we found that they were learning about choosing foods from a menu. Maria asked us the name of a food she described and drew on the board—sort of a pasty with one side scalloped and the whole deep-fried. It didn’t look like anything either Scott or I was familiar with.

After this class, we went to the cafeteria for lunch—We came back to school to a most interesting 5th year English class. It started out with an open discussion of the roles of parent and child, and led into the responsibilities of parenthood. Then our teacher gave each pupil a slip of paper with a problem a parent might face—“Your teen-age daughter is pregnant”—“Your son was caught smoking a joint”—“Your child wants to drop out of school”—and the student had to tell the class how he/she would handle it. In all the classes the students were very interested in the American presidential campaign, and wanted to know who we favored. They were overwhelmingly Obama fans.

On our way home after school, we found a group of our teammates enjoying afternoon tea at an outdoor café near our hotel, and joined them. Later, we had a discussion on the goals for our team. Paula came in to inquire how our first day at school had gone. Everything was great until we turned on the TV. Most of us were quite disturbed by the news on CNN of the failure of the congressional bailout, and the plunge of the stock market. Boa Noite!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008
It's Tuesday of our first week in Beja and most of the team members are already familiar with their schools, assignments, and schedules. Michele and Paula have worked hard building this young partnership with Beja while the City's (and the country's) educational system has been dealing with its own challenges brought on by some new and controversial changes. In the classroom however, the students and the volunteers focus on the task at hand - improving conversational English and gaining a better understanding of each other and our cultures.

Loretta, Eileen and I arrived at Mario Beirao Middle School at 10 a.m. and they were quickly whisked away to teach an 8th Grade class. My 9th Grade class began at 10:50 and we spent the full 45 minute period discussing all aspects of the United States and its similarities and differences to Portugal.

After class, an excited student came up to me to say she had recently visited Mexico. I was pleased to have this additional conversation with her -- but I was even more thrilled several hours later when we recognized each other as we were passing on the sidewalk in a different part of Beja. Her face immediately lit up and she said, "Hello!" as her friendly smile welcomed me to her community. This small but significant gesture, from a 9th Grade Portuguese girl on a narrow cobblestone sidewalk 3000 miles from my home, will stay with me long after the trip is over.

This evening at dinner, Michele finally got her broccoli, we identified SOME of the delicious seafood we were eating, and Brian provided a wonderful spontaneous tableside serenade at Susie's urging (and Eileen's embarrassment)!

As the night air finally began to cool, a Port wine nightcap and some interesting conversation with teammates at an outside café was certainly a fitting end to another great day.

Wednesday, October 1
A new month has begun. Things seem to be going better. Some of the glitches have been worked out or worked around. The Volunteers are becoming more comfortable with their assignments.

In the morning, we heard about a possible teacher strike. No one reported cancelled classes. However, Eileen and Susan both went up to the castle in their free time and it was closed because of a strike! Several folks have taken advantage of the Lavandaria and it is reported that the owner speaks French – a help to those who “nao falo portugues”.

Late morning found Dennis, Beau and me in a vocational class with Ines. These are young adults studying Information Technology. We asked where they were born and most were from Beja, but there were also several from Cape Verde and one young man from Ukraine. We invited the students to return for tutoring at 17:15 and several said they would. We were talking to some of the students in the hallway after class when students from another class joined us. Beau and Dennis’ enthusiasm enticed one of these students to join 5 of the class at the tutoring session. We thought 6 a nice turn out for an afterschool class and we were able to encourage 1:1 some of the more shy students.


Friday, October 3, 2008
One week of teaching has gone by in a flash. Beja continues to reveal itself as a beautiful city inhabited by warm and friendly people. Loretta and Scott walked this afternoon to the super, supermarket in the shopping center to see Beja's interpretation of the American Dream. Huge food market with a very interesting meat and produce department--you can just about buy anything there.

Once again, TGIF. Much excitement is generated by the team in planning for the weekend. Going to the ancient city of Evora is planned already (thanks to Helen), along with the possibility of going to the south coast. Since we're a "trusting, tolerant, patient and flexible team," whatever plans are implemented will result in a lot of fun. A Haiku is offered:

Be that as it may
Language can be difficult
For us to convey


Saturday October 4
After breakfast, we were off for a day of sight seeing. Roy and Suzie stayed behind in Beja to tour the city while the rest of us boarded a bus bound for Evora. Thanks to Helen with the assistance of Hugo, the desk clerk arranged the bus and a tour guide in Evora. Our first stop was the villa Romano Pisoes; Roman bath ruins located a short distance from Beja. We marveled that thousands of years ago people walked on those same mosaic tiles. We also were fascinated by the snails that covered the stalks of grass surrounding the ruins. A couple of motorcyclists stopped as we were leaving to check out the ruins as a possible stop for an upcoming trip for their motorcycling group. We traveled through scenic fields of cork and olive trees and arrived at the Esperao Winery which was surrounded by hectares of grapevines, according to Ruth much larger than the vineyards in California.

We arrived in Evora in time for lunch. Evora is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. We met Maria our tour guide after lunch. Maria grew up in Evora, studied tourism in Lisbon, and now gives Evora city tours. She guided us through the Church of St Francis with its Chapel of Bones, the Cathedral, and the Temple of Diana. The grounds around the Temple offered a panoramic view of the Roman aqueduct and the surrounding countryside. The walk back to the bus through the narrow streets gave time to window shop and purchase postcards and purses made from cork.

It was a sleepy bus ride back to Beja. We ate at the Restaurante Churrasqueira where we feasted on plates of salad, pork chops, salmon, sole, and grilled chicken. After dinner, some retired to their rooms while others gathered at a local café for port and dessert.

More to come soon!!