Trick or treat in Ha Noi
The year 2009 ended eventful. KUE’s executive manager paid a visit to us to get an idea about the state of things in Ha Noi. He came to ask after us, to see our house and to inspect the university. Above all he welcomed a new group of 17 weltwärts volunteers.
The visit of the manager provoked primarily confusion and bad blood. KUE occupies the moral high ground. They demand with might and main their requests what they think is written in the cooperation agreement. Perverse if you get look behind the scenes. I had a glance at the Vietnamese version of the cooperation agreement. I won’t give too many articles of the document away. However it lacks important details.
The basic conditions determined that 35 German-Volunteer-Students (whatever that’s supposed to mean) assist NTU in their matters, especially in aiding the students with their English- and German homework. Criticism goes to both sides. How can they focus on assisting the students’ homework, which is principally in Vietnamese language, in the fields of Finance and Banking, Accounting, Economics, Architecture and Industrial design!
Who's to blame?
I value KUE’s enthusiasm. However it has not much of a meaning if no one pays attention to weltwärts intention and especially to the legislation of sending and receiving country. No sending organization should attract a great number of volunteers to a new project which offers work for only a few. If so, it needs experience to provide quality service in finding a new project.
An organization must be familiar in dealing with volunteers. They must know the expatiations of partner organizations and projects. They need in essential the skill to implement the relevant guideline. KUE should link up with other organizations. It will quicken the learning process.
Let me give you an example of the latest chaotic planning. The new group of volunteers expected to volunteer in Ha Noi. Conversely they were told after their arrival at Ha Noi’s airport that they are going to volunteer in Hai Phong City, 100 km away from Ha Noi. What happened? Well, KUE unexpectedly concluded an agreement with another private university without informing the involved volunteers. The worst is yet to come. It doesn’t look like they will ever have a meaningful work to do there.
Perhaps a volunteer’s life
One of the substantial change is concerning to my accommodation. KUE rent a house without letting anyone of us know. They wanted to offer housing for the old and new volunteer group. They said they couldn’t withdraw from the contract. As a result, we left our house in My Dinh and moved to Vinh Phuc at the South-West end of Westlake.
The new area is cleaner and less noisy than the previous one. The house is just 5 minutes away from NTU by motorbike. It offers seven spacious rooms, a big living room and a kitchen. I even have a single room with balcony and a private bathroom. The cost of living, especially for dining outside is more expensive.
Nevertheless it is interesting to explore the area around, to check out shops and restaurants. Sometimes neighbors are interested in a little chat. One of my neighbors, he’s a professor, surprised me most. He just completed his contract at an international university in Germany. The interesting part of the story comes now. The university is not located in a major city. Nope, the university he taught at is in my little city Bruchsal in Baden-Württemberg. What a coincidence!
Unlike to others I am still happy with my work. Some volunteers are discontented with their projects. Instead of improving the situation they bore the situation or just stayed at home. Finally they will work soon in different projects or even for a different partner organization.
