1558View
3m 58sLenght
6Rating

Join the UBELONG Family: https://ubelong.org Tran Van is a market research specialist and university lecturer from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In February this year she took a break from work to volunteer her skills in neighboring Laos for three weeks. Together with her friend Christine Ha, she left her busy urban life in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City to share her expertise in the "marketing organic products" Immersion project in Vang Vieng. In a very short period of time, Van and Ha made a significant impact in the organic farm where UBELONG Volunteers serve: streamlining administrative operations, providing management training to local staff, assessing marketing opportunities for farm products and designing a plan to improve ecotourism initiatives in the area. Van and Ha were the first of many volunteers from developing and emerging economies who are serving as UBELONG Volunteers today, realizing the UBELONG mission of providing international volunteer opportunities for all. The example of Van and Ha in Laos shows that the affordability, breadth and flexibility of the UBELONG Immersion program are changing the ball game in international volunteering. Van's thoughts from Vietnam set an example of how South-to-South cooperation at the grassroots level and among common people can make a difference.