VIA Ford Foundation Community Fellowships in Vietnam

In 2010, VIA will offer two Ford Foundation Community Fellowships to exceptional candidates with a demonstrated and ongoing commitment to Vietnam or the Vietnamese-American community. This fellowship provides a unique opportunity for community activists to combine their passion for Vietnam with purposeful, hands-on volunteer experience.  Fellows participate in VIA's long-term volunteer program in Vietnam and receive funding and staff support to design and implement a community service project in their host communities. VIA’s Community Fellowship program is generously funded by the Ford Foundation. Community service projects must involve members of the local community and serve one of the following target areas: 

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  • Ethnic minority people 
  • Women and girls
  • People with disabilities
  • People living with HIV/AIDS
  • The environment

Read about 2007 and 2008 Ford Foundation Community Fellows!

Benefits:

In addition to the benefits that ALL VIA volunteers receive, such as TESOL, cross-cultural and language training, insurance, travel from training to post, a monthly living stipend and housing, participation in VIA's annual in-country conference, staff support and return airfare upon completion of contract, Ford Foundation Community Fellows receive the following: artclubkathy

  • Program fee waiver
  • Reimbursement for one-way airfare to VIA's training location in Chiang Mai, Thailand (up to $1000)
  • In-country travel stipend
  • Shipping and materials stipend
  • Up to $1000 for service project
  • $1000 readjustment allowance upon completion of project and submission of service project report form 

Qualifications:

  • Must meet all requirements for participation in VIA's long-term volunteer program in Vietnam
  • Demonstrated long-term commitment to Vietnam or the Vietnamese-American community evidenced by prior work experiences, volunteer activities, or academic pursuits JesswithPatient

To Apply:

  • Complete and submit the regular 2010 Application which will be available on VIA's website in December, 2009.
  • Complete and submit the Community Fellowship Addendum
  • Submit one letter of recommendation from a sponsoring institution.  Only one letter of recommendation will be accepted per applicant. 
  • All application materials are due by email by February 5, 2010.

Important Details (the fine print!): cheesefries

  • Fellows will be posted at one of VIA's 10 regular volunteer posts in Vietnam, which include English teaching and resource positions at public universities, research institutions, government agencies, or local NGOs. For more information, please read the Vietnam 1 & 2 Year Program page. For a list of posts and descriptions, please view the Long-Term Posts page.
  • Fellowships are for one year beginning mid-July 2010. If the volunteer chooses to stay with VIA for a second year he or she is encouraged to carry on the project, although additional service project funding will not be available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lillian Forsyth, Vietnam Program Director, by email or phone at (415) 904-8033 ext. 305  

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