In Motion: Developing Alongside the Vietnamese Capital.
After two months in Hanoi, I must admit that I still have a hard time doing the city justice when attempting to describe it to an outsider. On one hand, first impressions can be rough. The barrage of unfamiliar scents and sensory stimuli can be overwhelming; not to mention the temperature, which far too often surpasses what my Swedish upbringing has left me accustomed to. On the other, those who look beneath the surface will find that there is logic to the chaos. Learn how to navigate the endless sea of motorbikes, and the city’s charm is undeniable. Time and time again, I have been left in awe by the warmth and hospitality of the Vietnamese people, and by the nation’s rich culture and history.
It is true that my journey here still is in its initial stages. Nevertheless, I am confident that I will one day look back at my time realizing the SASID-project at the Center for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) with pride and gratitude.
The Path to SASID
Quite some time has passed since I first became aware of SASID – or “Solidarity Action for Sustainable and Inclusive Development”. The humanitarian project, realised within the framework of the European Solidary Corps (ESC), immediately caught my attention, as it presented me with a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend 10 months on the ground in a developing country; supporting sustainable development initiatives and carrying out capacity building activities. Living though increasingly unstable times, I had long desired to contribute to a meaningful, positive change – and SASID appeared to be the perfect platform to realise that wish. In essence, I hoped to learn from my peers in the host country, and to share what knowledge could prove useful to them, to collectively synthesise more sustainable solutions.
As luck would have it, SASID-project managers in Europe would present such an opportunity by allowing me to connect with likeminded people at the Hanoi-based NGO CSDS. Taking full advantage of its vast experience in the fields of youth empowerment and sustainable project implementation, I came to know CSDS as an organisation which successfully created pathways for Vietnamese people to access quality education; with a particular focus on people from low-income families in the country’s underserved, rural regions.
First impressions made it clear that I was dealing with people who genuinely cared. Furthermore, the staff articulated that they were open to feedback, and dared to discuss what further improvement could look like. Their passion and openmindedness ultimately became what convinced me to commit the next chapter of my life to a city halfway across the world – of which I previously knew relatively little. Although life here can be both unpredictable and hectic at times, I am happy to report that my instinct about CSDS and its values proved to be on point. At least as of two months in, I could not have asked for much more from my coworkers across the core organisation, its “voluntourism”-branch Volunteers for Peace (VPV), and Scholarship fund Bright Future Fund (BFF).
The Flow of Life
Admittedly it did take some time to find my place within the organisation. Between the new work context, colleagues, and cultural backdrop, anything else would perhaps have been more strange. Whereas fellow volunteers found their groove at kindergartens or care centers for people living from disabilities, my experience so far has primarily focused on teaching.
On a typical day, I spend my mornings teaching English language communication classes at one out of two colleges. There, we provide opportunities for young people to practice English with a foreign instructor – regardless of their financial situation. As other learning centers would require you to pay substantial sums for such a “premium”, the project aims to reduce the gap between rich and poor; democratizing education, and providing ample opportunities for all. As a long-term presence, I have additionally taken on duties related to project coordination, introducing short-term volunteers to the project and ensuring an appropriate degree of continuity within the voluntourism framework.
In the afternoons, I usually teach private communication classes, through the CSDS initiative “Language Labs”. Open to everyone, these sessions have allowed me to interact with people from diverse walks of life. One day, I am practicing grammar with an ambitious high school girl who dreams of studying abroad, and another I’m helping a researcher brush up on her presentation skills, as she anticipates being published in an international journal. Is it a program that allows us to intervene where it is needed, and position our students to succeed both academically and professionally. In extension, I view it as a way to enhance the community’s capacity to address their needs. By providing them with the skills and space to voice their opinions, share their knowledge, and engage with an international community, I believe that our students are empowered to pursue opportunities that can benefit themselves and their communities alike. Although it will likely take some time before we see the fruits of their labour, I am confident that their endeavours will result the community-driven approach to sustainable development that SASID champions.
Through the Language labs format, I have additionally had the pleasure of getting acquainted with a variety of people from more difficult economic situations; amongst them several recipients of the BFF scholarship. Truth be told, I often wonder who the real teacher is during my sessions with them. I feel an immense admiration for their dedication, and I am humbled by their willingness to share their stories with me so freely. It is contagious, to the point that I often spend my free time – both evenings and weekends – taking on additional language lab sessions. Afterall, who would not do their best to support that kind of friend?
Looking Ahead
Hanoi is a city in motion. It is a place where modern skyscrapers and ancient temples stand side by side. It is a place where brilliant, kind-hearted people are living through the kind of transformation my grandparents have told me stories about. It is a place where tough choices are made to pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
It is not my place to guide this transformation towards a certain vision for the future. That matter is entirely in the hands of the Vietnamese people. However, I am more than happy to support their aspirations, whenever my presence is welcome. In that light, I am starting to see that perhaps there is yet a role for me to play…
Written by Edvin Pettersson, SASID-Project.