Writer: Lina Schröter & Wiebke Dreier - Volunteers C4C Office
Written on: 13th August 2024
After 4 months of volunteering in different regions of Vietnam, the interim seminar for us DIZ volunteers took place in Hoi An. The seminar was a one week get-together that’s supported by the German partner organization „Deutsch-Indische Zusammenarbeit e.V.“ (DIZ). It aimed to connect C4C members and volunteers, while also giving room for discussion and reflection on our voluntary service so far.
We were a small group of eleven women, five volunteers and six staff members. While most of us already knew each other in person, the Teach for Change volunteers from Hanoi had the chance to meet the founder Ms. Hong and the other employees. By living and eating together we got to know each other better and connected on a personal level. For us volunteers working with the staff in the C4C office, it felt refreshing to spend some
time with them outside of work.
A major part of the schedule were our presentations about the experiences we made regarding our volunteer work at C4C. This gave us a chance to get an insight into the projects of our co-volunteers. We learned about the different experiences with Teach for Change as well as the variety of jobs and tasks in the C4C office. Not only did we explain our tasks, we also shared about highlights and struggles we encountered. For us it was very eye-opening to hear about the different perspectives. This made us understand that every voluntary service is unique and has its individual challenges.
The discussions we had about our volunteering experiences felt very dear to us. That’s why the brainstorming session at the end of the week was from great importance for us. We tried to think of possible solutions to improve the problems that got clear through our presenations. By categorizing the problems and considering everyone involved - hosts, volunteers, partner organizations and C4C – we developed solution-oriented ideas together.
Not only did we spend time discussing our voluntary service, we also learned about intercultural competences and the role of women in Vietnamese society. Aside from the theoretical part of the seminar, we also took part in various practical activities, including a ride on the typical Vietnamese coconut boats and a very exciting trip to Cham islands. Our free time we spent playing games and exploring Hoi An.
All in all we had an exciting week, filled with inspiring conversations, moments of bonding and unforgettable memories!
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