Catalyst Foundation

The Volunteer Experience

Catalyst Foundation volunteers experience personal empowerment and profound joy in making a difference in the lives of the children of Vietnam. We create customized volunteer programs for groups, organizations and companies to serve the children and their families residing in Catalyst’s target communities.

Catalyst Foundation creates a supportive and positive experience for a team of volunteers that are adventurous, fun, flexible, cooperative and compassionate. It is a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and friendship between our children and our volunteers. Volunteer your time and talents; we know that one person CAN make a difference!

There are many ways you can help us:

Coordinate Fundraising Events, research and/or write a grants, help us find corporate sponsorships
Marketing & Public Relations
English/Vietnamese translations
Provide medical exams for hundreds of children in our scholarship project, as well as for families in neighboring communities
Renovate, repair and/or build homes and schools
Visit local schools to deliver bikes for children and distribute food for hundreds of families
Host a weekend camp complete with campfires, outdoor movies, games, visits to the beach, soccer, crafts, songs for the children in Vietnam

Our volunteers share a passion of working tirelessly to be the catalyst for positive change for the children of Vietnam.

Vietnam Aid Expedition

The Vietnam Aid Expedition held every two years provides direct assistance to the children we serve in Vietnam. This is a good will, volunteer trip. Over 100 volunteers have traveled with us to Vietnam in the past and each of them has been deeply moved by the children they meet. This "volunteer vacation" is rewarding for everyone involved.

Upcoming Aid Expeditions
March 29-April 2, 2010 - FULL
October 11-15, 2010

Download the 2010 Aid Expedition Application

Applications are due October 1, 2009.
Each volunteer is expected to raise a minimum of $1000 to contribute towards the Aid Expedition projects.
Volunteers are responsible for all their travel and lodging costs, approximately $800 - $1500 (depending where you are traveling from to get to Vietnam).
In-country travel, lodging and meals for one week is approximately $800 - $1000.
Volunteers under the age of 18 are welcome to participate if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Because we will be working directly with young children, alll volunteers must pass a federal criminal background check.

APPLY SOON! Preference is given to "alumni" volunteers and each expedition is capped at 50 volunteers.

Read our Blogs from past Aid Expeditions

Corporate Volunteer

Corporate volunteering is a win-win for everyone – Catalyst Foundation gets much needed manpower and expertise, while corporate partners foster increased employee pride and teamwork.

We offer both short-term volunteer opportunities, similar to the Aid Expedition and we encourage longer-term corporate volunteer programs to maximize the contribution for both the corporation and Catalyst Foundation. Long term volunteers (two to four months) may have backgrounds in Social Work, Clinical Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Human Resources, Communications, Policy and Advocacy, Information Technology, or Marketing; these specialty areas in particular are relevant to the needs of our programs.

We would be pleased to work with you on developing a corporate volunteer program that would take best advantage of your company’s strengths.

Student Volunteer

Student volunteer groups can choose from a variety of projects in Vietnam to gain some valuable work-experience, a fantastic cultural experience, and an oppportunity to help others less fortunate. The projects are available for one to twelve weeks and for high school, college and graduate students. Each volunteer is expected to raise funds for their specific project and is responsible for all their travel and lodging costs. In addition, because we will be working directly with young children, alll volunteers must pass a federal criminal background check.

Student volunteers can:

Teach spoken English to children or adults, in addition you can teach a variety of other subjects from art to music.
Gain experience volunteering in Medicine & Health Care including physical therapy, nursing, crisis counseling and dentistry.
Get your hands dirty volunteering on a range of cultural and community-based projects including Arts & Crafts, Drama, Community Farming or Building projects.
Coach soccer, rugby, cricket, volleyball, basketball and a variety of other sports.
Gain work-experience on an internship in finance, advertising, marketing, PR, social work, management areas. Contact us if you have a specific requirement and we can set something up for you.
Do something really worthwhile overseas by helping to raise awareness of Human Trafficking through our comuunity education projects.
Conduct first-hand research for your University Dissertation in one of our developing world destinations. Our experience and expertise will help you to prepare a detailed research plan, and we will sort out all practical aspects of your program.