IVHQ Food Outreach plus

Joining my wife for our 13th volunteer gig with IVHQ, once again we were not disappointed. As seasoned travelers and retirees, we have built volunteering into most of our travel plans. HCMC was no exception. New campus, different location for project but consistent good support from IVHQ/Green Lion local teams and a great opportunity to help at the Food store preparing food, serving the homeless community as well as other local clients and interacting with the local staff were highlights. I am always pleased to see young people getting out of their comfort zone to experience different cultures in different places as well as this time, to meet more senior folks doing the same. The exchange of information and experiences is always rewarding. This year, we took a weekend trip, arranged by the local Green Lion team to Mui Ne. The very affordable trip ($21 USD per person for car, hotel and meals) came with a catch. We were to teach English at a local school on Saturday night and Sunday morning to students who don't see many Westerners come through their small village. With the support of my wife and our local contact in Mui Ne, I had the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and help teach for the first time. Guess you are never too old to give it a try....Fortunately, for my wife, the internet helped us find pictures to go with our assignment of teaching about Australian wildlife and sea animals to kids in Vietnam. Gotta admit, it was fun but know I'm happy to stick with Food Outreach and Construction programs as I have in the past. One of the plusses of IVHQ, there are several program options.