Disabled Children Care Program in Vietnam

This experience takes place in a local care centre in Vietnam that supports children with physical and cognitive disabilities. The program is built around routine, supervision, and consistency, ensuring both children and volunteers are supported properly.

Purpose
Help children in Ho Chi Minh City navigate the challenges of physical and mental disabilities. You will be stationed at a local hospital’s childcare center. The goal is simple: offer these kids a chance at a more independent, dignified life through consistent care and social interaction.

This is not a drop‑in or unsupervised placement. Volunteers work alongside trained local staff within an established care environment.

What a Typical Day Looks Like

Daily Life at the Hospital

Most of your time involves being a steady presence for children aged three to twelve. You might help a child find their voice through speech exercises or keep them company during a nap. It is hands-on work.

You will assist with lunch, help them brush their teeth, and keep them active with music or painting. Local staff will guide you as you learn the rhythms of Vietnamese healthcare.

Daily activities vary slightly depending on the centre and the needs of the children, but typically include:

• Morning preparation and welcome routines
• Assisted play, games, and creative activities
• Supporting children during structured learning or stimulation sessions
• Lunch and rest periods
• Afternoon engagement and calm activities

Volunteers follow the guidance of local coordinators at all times.

Role of the Volunteer

Volunteers are there to support, not replace, local staff. Tasks focus on:

• One‑on‑one or small group interaction
• Helping children engage in play and movement
• Providing comfort and positive attention
• Supporting daily routines under supervision

No formal teaching or medical procedures are performed by volunteers.

In Ho Chi Minh City, a small group of children spend their days inside a hospital-based care home. Some struggle to speak. Some find movement difficult. Others experience the world in ways that rarely fit neat categories.

This program places you beside them.

You’ll spend your time supporting children with a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities, including autism. The work is hands-on and human. Feeding. Sitting quietly. Playing simple games. Singing. Helping a child feel safe enough to engage with the people around them.

Progress here is measured in small moments. A smile held a little longer. A word attempted. A child choosing to join an activity instead of staying withdrawn.

You won’t be “fixing” anything. You’ll be present. Patient. Consistent. That presence matters more than it sounds.

The placement is based within a childcare home attached to a local hospital. Children range from early childhood into their teens. Days are structured but flexible, shaped by the children’s needs and the guidance of experienced Vietnamese staff.

Your role is to support, not replace, the caregivers already there. You’ll shadow them, assist with daily routines, and help create a calm, engaging environment. Tasks include basic personal care, hygiene, feeding, posture and speech support, and supervised play using art, music, movement, and simple social activities.

Some days will feel heavy. Others unexpectedly light. Most will be both.

Outside the placement, you’ll be immersed in daily life in Ho Chi Minh City. Orientation covers local customs, health and safety, and practical basics. You’ll learn simple Vietnamese phrases, share meals with the group, and gain a grounded look at how disability care operates within the local healthcare system.

The program runs year-round and starts every week.

This is not an easy placement. It asks for emotional steadiness, humility, and attention. But for those willing to show up fully, it offers something rare.

Support and Supervision

• Local coordinators are present daily

• Clear routines and expectations are explained before starting

• Volunteers are never left alone with children without guidance

• Ongoing support is available if challenges arise

This structure protects both the children and the volunteers.

Who This Experience Is For

This experience is a good fit if you:

• Are patient and emotionally grounded

• Are comfortable working in a care environment

• Want a meaningful but structured role

• Value guidance and clear boundaries

It may not be suitable if you are looking for independent volunteering, short‑term drop‑in work, or unstructured experiences.

Where This Experience Is Available

This experience is part of our Vietnam volunteer programs and is offered through established care centres working with disabled children.

Availability, duration, and suitability are confirmed during the application review process.

→ View volunteer programs in Vietnam