The Vietnam Mountain Challenge
and Orphanage Project
The Challenge
Discover the unique cultural diversity and magnificent rugged scenery of northern Vietnam on this thirteen-day charity challenge. Scale the heights of Vietnam’s tallest peak and encounter colourful hill tribes on your charity trek before returning to Hanoi, the leafy capital with its tree-lined boulevards and colonial villas, where you have the volunteer opportunity to spend four days improving the lives of children at an orphanage.
Vietnam, and in particular the rugged north, is an area of stunning natural beauty. The terraced hill sides and lush valleys surrounding the small town of Sapa are home to a multitude of colourful ethnic peoples. Sapa itself is a mere 9km from Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s tallest peak, where you will spend three full days trekking 3,143m to the summit as well as visiting vibrant markets and village communities.
Following the climb, spend time at an orphanage outside Hanoi which is in desperate need of renovation and assistance.
The Volunteer Project
Established in 1990, the orphanage provides a home for 43 children aged between 1 and 15 who come from disadvantaged agricultural communities. In many cases the families cannot afford to feed, clothe or educate the children and so are forced to abandon them.
With limited assistance from the local government, the orphanage relies heavily on donations and sponsorship – which most importantly have led to the creation of a nutrition programme, funding a diet rich in protein, vegetables and fruits. This programme is monitored with tri-monthly height, weight and measurement checks. It is hoped that in the future enough money will be raised to provide additional tuition to supplement their schooling and help some, if not all, the children gain admission to university.
One of the major projects we are hoping to achieve is the refurbishment of a derelict room to be used as a library/relaxation room for the children. This involves plastering, repainting, shelving, constructing cupboards and units, sewing cushions, making curtains etc. Other worthwhile tasks include refurbishing the bedrooms, creating sports and playground facilities and a vegetable garden.
This trip can be an open charity challenge for inviduals, a bespoke group charity challenge or a corporate trip for CSR and team building.
This charity fund raising idea is part of volunteer organisation Different Travel's international volunteer program and its carbon neutral responsible tourism travel policy.