By Justin Frederiksen

I participated in the organic farming project at the Vietnam Friendship Village from February 20, 2006 to March 6, 2006.  The information available on the Volunteers for Peace’s (VFP) website about the project was excellent and accurately described the project. 

The purpose of the project was to help maintain the Village’s organic farm, which feeds the residents.  The other volunteers and I performed many different tasks in the garden including weeding, harvesting of carrots and green beans, hoeing of vegetable beds, insect removal, and planting of trees.  In addition to work in the gardens, we also painted the Village’s playground and moved soil from one area of Village to another, to help construct a walkway.  The work was never to difficult and sufficient breaks were given to allow for rest.  We did get dirty, as much of the soil in the garden was very muddy, but nothing that a quick washing didn’t take care of.

While we worked, we often became entertainment for some of the Village’s children and once they got to know us, many of them joined in the work.  We spent approximately 8 hours at the village, with about 5 of the hours doing work and the rest of the time resting, eating lunch, or playing with the kids. 

The VFP staff in Vietnam was exceptional.  They worked along side of us, which allowed us to get to know them very well, and were very organized.  The staff was especially considerate with any requests that we (the volunteers) had, such as schedule changes.  The food that was prepared by the VFP staff was very good, a bit monotonous, but as I traveled around Vietnam I learned that most meals were fairly similar and the variety that I am used to in the US is not normal in Vietnam. 

The accommodations for the volunteers consisted of a multi-story house in a neighborhood, about 4 km from the center of Hanoi.  It was an adjustment living with approximately 18 people all under one room, with only 4 bathrooms.  Ear plugs were a necessity, along with patience!  As one could probably guess, the house wasn’t the cleanest, as 18 people can easily make a mess in no time.  The addition of a cleaning service or a strict cleaning schedule for the volunteers to do would be an improvement.  Additionally, beds/bunk-beds and a few tables to set things on would make the bedrooms a bit nicer, currently the bedrooms furnished with small mats on the floor only.  Please understand that the accommodations, even though not exceptional, would in no way deter me from doing this camp again if I had the opportunity too.  The experience was terrific and I would recommend it to anyone.

There were 7 international volunteers and approximately 15 Vietnamese volunteers involved in the work camp.  Getting to know the other volunteers, both international and Vietnamese, was one of the highlights of my experience.  Even thought the camp is relatively short (just over two weeks) there was ample time to get to know the other volunteers.  It was very interesting talking to the Vietnamese volunteers about their culture, schooling, family and everyday life.  I feel they were equally appreciative for the opportunity to learn more about my culture, family, everyday life, ect. 

The Vietnam Friendship Village is a wonderful project that is helping to mend the damages that were done to the Vietnamese people during the decades of war in Vietnam.  The organic farming project at the Vietnam Friendship Village is a wonderful project that helps feed the residents suffering from the affects of agent-orange.  The opportunity I had to work in this project was unforgettable, educational, and fun!