Teach For Change (TFC) Program

1. Purpose of This Document

This document establishes the operational policies, financial arrangements, and transparency commitments governing the Teach For Change (TFC) Program.

It is intended to provide all stakeholders with a clear understanding of program structure, responsibilities, financial flows, and safeguards to ensure ethical, sustainable, and accountable implementation.

 

2. Program Overview

Teach For Change (TFC) is a social-enterprise education program operated by Catalyst for Change (C4C) since 2017.

 

2.1 Program Objectives

TFC pursues the following objectives:

a) To support language education providers—particularly in urban and semi-rural areas—where recruiting long-term international teachers is challenging.

b) To expand access to language learning and intercultural exchange opportunities for children, especially those with limited exposure to international environments.

c) To generate sustainable income that supports C4C’s social empowerment initiatives for vulnerable women and communities.

 

2.2 Background

In 2015, C4C piloted a model involving direct funding and operation of language centers managed by single mothers. Due to operational and financial constraints, this model was discontinued.

Since 2017, TFC has operated through a partnership model with independent education providers.

 

3. Partner School Framework

All TFC host institutions are independent, for-profit education providers operating under formal agreements with C4C.

Standardized conditions apply to ensure consistency, fairness, and program stability across locations.

 

3.1 Volunteer Living Support

Partner schools are responsible for providing adequate living support for assigned TFC volunteers.

This includes:

• Safe and appropriate accommodation

• Daily meals or a weekly meal allowance

 

Where meals cannot be provided directly, the school must provide a weekly food allowance as follows:

• 1,000,000 VND per volunteer per week in major metropolitan areas (Hà Nội and Hồ Chí Minh City)

• 750,000 VND per volunteer per week in provincial, semi-urban, or rural locations

 

These amounts reflect differences in local cost of living and may be reviewed periodically by C4C.

 

3.2 Recruitment and Program Management Fee

Partner schools shall pay C4C a standard recruitment and program management fee of:

USD 300 per volunteer per month

This fee covers:

• International recruitment and selection

• Placement coordination

• Program administration

• Volunteer support services

• Safeguarding oversight

 

Fee adjustments may be considered based on:

• Length of volunteer commitment

• Professional qualifications

• Teaching workload

• Strategic partnership considerations

 

Any adjustment must be agreed in writing.

 

3.3 Optional Consultation and Support Services

Partner schools may request additional services from C4C, including but not limited to:

• Educational consulting

• Teacher training

• Marketing support

• Program development assistance
   

Fees for these services are determined separately through written agreement.

 

4. Volunteer Commitment Requirements

 

4.1 Minimum Service Period

Volunteers recruited directly through C4C must commit to:

A minimum placement duration of three (3) months (twelve weeks) at a single host institution

This requirement ensures continuity of instruction and program stability.

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4.2 Deposit Policy

Upon acceptance, volunteers are required to submit a refundable deposit of:

USD 100

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4.2.1 Refund Conditions

The deposit will be refunded upon successful completion of the agreed placement period, provided the volunteer:

• Fulfills assigned responsibilities

• Complies with program policies

• Maintains acceptable professional conduct

Participation in the program is otherwise free of charge.

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4.2.2 Non-Refund Conditions

The deposit will not be refunded if the volunteer:

• Withdraws before completing the minimum commitment without valid emergency justification

• Fails to perform assigned duties

• Violates program policies or safeguarding standards

This measure protects partner institutions, students, and community stakeholders from disruption.

 

5. Financial Transparency and Use of Funds

Teach For Change operates as a self-sustaining social enterprise. C4C does not rely on regular institutional grants to support core program operations.

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Program revenue is allocated to:

• Administrative operations

• Personnel costs

• Volunteer management

• Safeguarding systems

• Program infrastructure
   

Any surplus remaining after operational expenses is reinvested into C4C’s social empowerment initiatives. Details financial can be found in C4C annual report published on website every year.

 

6. Empowerment Programs Supported by TFC

Reinvested funds support long-term initiatives serving vulnerable communities, particularly single mothers and their families.

 

These initiatives include:

• Mental health counseling and therapy

• Emergency assistance

• Vocational training

• Economic empowerment programs

• Capacity-building initiatives

 

7. International Partner-Funded Placements

Since 2023, C4C has partnered with international organizations that receive government funding to send volunteers abroad, including but not limited to:

• GOTOCO

• Austria Services Abroad

• DIZ (Germany)

• Other approved partners
   

7.1 Allocation of Partner Funding

Use of partner funding depends on program type:

Non-TFC placements:
Funding is typically used to cover volunteers’ living expenses in Vietnam.

TFC placements:
Because host schools already provide accommodation and meals, external funding associated with these volunteers is redirected to C4C empowerment programs.

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This structure enables expansion of services such as regular therapy sessions and empowerment workshops.

 

8. Transparency and Accountability Commitment

C4C is committed to operating TFC in a transparent, ethical, and accountable manner.

All stakeholders are encouraged to seek clarification regarding program operations, financial arrangements, or responsibilities at any time.

Participation in TFC contributes both to educational delivery and to a broader social enterprise model supporting vulnerable communities across Vietnam.

 

9. Acceptance of Terms

Participation in the Teach For Change program—whether as a volunteer, partner school, or collaborating organization—constitutes acknowledgment of and agreement to the policies outlined in this document.