Volunteer

This is my first time participating in a volunteer program, especially one focused on wildlife conservation. When I first learned about SVW, I was incredibly surprised by the volunteer model and the activities at the center, as well as how unique and diverse volunteering here is compared to other centers.

After experiencing a short, one-week stint as a volunteer at SVW, I found the team—from the volunteer manager to the staff at the rescue center—to be extremely enthusiastic in guiding and helping me. Not only did I gain basic knowledge about wildlife and their status, but I also learned about care methods and essential skills for working with wild animals. Most importantly, everyone was very kind to me, offering valuable advice and clear guidance when they learned I wanted to pursue a career in wildlife conservation.

No adjective can fully describe the joy I felt during my short week at SVW. SVW is truly a rewarding place where volunteers can learn many skills and consider it their second home, while also learning about noble professions and the people who overcome challenges to contribute to wildlife conservation in Vietnam.

We are Pham Ngoc Ha and Duong Minh Phuong, students in the Biology specialized class at the High School for Gifted Students in Natural Sciences. Because we love animals and nature, we have always hoped that all species could live freely in their natural habitats.
Before coming here, we thought the main work was just feeding the animals and checking their health. In reality, we participated in cleaning enclosures, preparing food, sanitizing the housing areas, and assisting with animal care. What impressed us most was not only how adorable animals like the Owston's civet or pangolins are, but also the enthusiasm and dedication of the staff at the center. Phuong's most memorable moment was meeting Manh—a masked palm civet that lost a leg due to the illegal wildlife trade. That moment helped us better understand what these animals have to endure.

After the trip, we realized that rescue work is very demanding but incredibly meaningful. We hope everyone will speak up to protect wildlife, because only when we act together can we make a change.

This is my first time participating in a volunteer program, especially one focused on wildlife conservation. When I first learned about SVW, I was incredibly surprised by the volunteer model and the activities at the center, as well as how unique and diverse volunteering here is compared to other centers.

After experiencing a short but meaningful week as a volunteer at SVW, I found the entire team—from the volunteer manager to the staff at the rescue center—to be extremely enthusiastic in guiding and helping me. Not only did I gain basic knowledge about wildlife and their status, but I also learned about animal care and essential skills for working with wildlife. Most importantly, everyone was so kind to me, offering valuable advice and clear guidance when they learned I wanted to pursue a career in wildlife conservation.

No adjective can fully describe the joy I felt during my short week at SVW. SVW is truly a rewarding place where volunteers can learn many skills and feel at home, while also learning about noble professions and the people who work tirelessly to contribute to wildlife conservation in Vietnam.