SJ Vietnam

I have realized that in all of my time here I have failed to blog specifically about my amazing organization. They are a youth targeted organization called Solidarites Jeunesse Vietnam (SJV)and are part of multiple international volunteer networks. In all of my time volunteering I feel they are one of the best organized. They have recently partnered with IVHQ and will be receiving a much larger influx of volunteers- I think they may need to expand their family soon! 

They have offices and projects throughout Vietnam with projects supporting youth of all kinds from disabled children to disadvantaged youth. They also create amazing opportunities for local volunteers to join groups of international volunteers. This creates such a great inter-cultural experience for everyone participating with them. This was definitely one of my favourite things about the organization. 

My experience in Hanoi was one I will never forget. It began just the same as many other volunteers who l've met, with total confusion, fear and thoughts of "what the hell am I doing here?" You're in the cab driving towards the SJV office travelling down a narrow and very busy road not understanding a thing. Hanoi, though possessing a very traditional charm, tweaks your fight or flight response upon first glance. 

But once you arrive and meet the AMAZING staff at SJV you will become one of the luckiest people alive. They go above and beyond to take care of you, and will get you anything you need, all you need to do is ask.  If you are as blessed as myself they will become like a family to you. As i write this i am I am sitting in the airport awaiting the beginning of my trip down to southern Vietnam, crying as I leave this family behind not knowing when I will see them again. 

Duc (pronounced more like Duke than Duck, a mistake some made haha) -he is one of the volunteer coordinators and is a phenomenal person and He has become like an older brother. If I ever had a question or needed anything I could ask Duc and he always had an answer for me. He was the first face of SJV I saw and one face I will miss so much. He invited me into that family like no other and I could not be more grateful for the time I spent with him.

Phuc (pronounced like Fook, means happiness) - she is the director of SJV, is beyond selfless and has put her heart and soul into that organization. As I told some of the new volunteers on my last night-"she's kind of a big deal." The dedication she shows to that place is astounding. Despite SJV having no program or placement within their organization to suit the NGO program i wanted she still managed to make it happen for me. I got to participate in multiple aspects of that organization and it has helped guide my future career. 

Mein and Hang are two other great ladies in the organization who work and coordinate with the long term volunteers and PR management. Mein is stuck with all us volunteers in the volunteer apartment and i admire her patience for dealing with new people so often- I mean your home is your place to get away from it all, not so much for her. Hang, bless her heart, is always so concerned and stressed. She reminds me of myself when I first started university, each day I learned she just needed someone to make her smile and just breath for a mini moment. 

Finally ill mention Nam. He was my coordinator- mostly anyway. I was kinda taken care of by the whole staff haha. I'm was special!! 

But Nam was a special individual Haha. From his high pitched giggle, to his guitar jam sessions in the cafe (with a soprano singing voice I might add) , to his party animal personality, created a charm about him. I have such a soft spot for this guy. The other volunteers and I often made the joke that he was just like one of the disabled kids in one of the project centres, sometimes we had to wonder:P This guy was incredibly selfless and extremely sensitive but has a heart of gold. SJV is lucky to have him. 

Oh and Linh!! He was the bartender at the cafe!! He was awesome. He could always put a smile on my face. He spoke very little English but you could catch him singing to himself, or giggling about something silly or even yelling at the tv during a soccer match. Priceless. 

I have been more than fortunate to have met these people and these words don't even begin to describe the charm they possess.  I am going to do EVERYTHING in my power to keep them in my life. I will miss these people like crazy, I have never felt so sad to leave anywhere before...

I am going to try my best to embrace yet another wonderful quote 

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" 

I am struggling with it now... I already miss my Vietnamese family!!! :')