Have you thought of going to China but you would like to have a meaningful experience and do join a responsible travel tour. What about volunteer travel to China ? Interested ? Volunteering in China offers you the opportunity to get to know this wonderful country whilst gaining an experience that will last a lifetime. It will give you a chance to make an important contribution to the people of China, and to gain an in depth experience of the country and its culture that will stay with you the rest of your life.
There are various volunteering agencies who organise volunteer travel programs in China. One company that stands out is WLS International. This medium sized company has been organising volunteer programs successfully in China and Vietnam. The uniqueness in their program lies in the fact that they will place you in different projects. They have some wonderful projects in Beijing : working with children and young adult with special needs and disabilities, charity for children with autism, charity for children with autism, orphanage school and volunteer teaching at a poor school for immigrant workers’ children. With their program you will be placed with different projects which will enable you to get a unique and fulfilling experience. Some of their projects are located right next to or near the famous Forbidden City in central Beijing !
Their Volunteer Program in Beijing, China starts on any date throughout the year. Also you will get your own single room so you do not have to share with other volunteers. For these reasons I would recommend WLS International. This is what one of their volunteers had to say :
This is an excellent way of seeing and visiting somewhere totally different that does not cost as much as a tour group and it really does add meaning to a person’s version by working with people that are less fortunate. Lifelong friends made, money well spend. John (Canada), Beijing Volunteer Program in March 2007
Here are some of the volunteer projects available with WLS International in Beijing, China :
Orphanage School
There are 25 children from 3 years old to 12 years old at the orphanage school. The orphanage school was established in 1998. Our volunteers can take care of the children, play games, tell stories, drawing pictures, playing piano and much more.
Charity for Children and Young Adults with Disabilities
This charity is a local, unique, community-based charity serving the mentally disabled. It is truly a community based organizing, breaking away from traditional institutional care. The vision is equal opportunity for the mentally disabled to aid in their contribution to the community and share in the benefits with the community. Their mission is to improve the quality of the lives of the mentally disabled and their families.
Charity for Autistic Children
This charity was founded in 1993 by a parent of an autistic child and is China’s first non-governmental educational organization to serve children with autism. Their vision is to help people with autism to provide with equal chance of development and enjoy a normalization of life. Their mission is to focus upon family support & based on the training of teaching skills, Strive to be a bridge between society and people with autism. Autism is a developmental disability that impairs sensory input causing problems in social behavior, communication and learning. It hinders establishment of personal relationships, and interaction in community life. Most, but not all, individuals with autism have some degree of mental retardation. No single biological cause has been found but a significant number of medical disorders occur in conjunction with autism. Current research supports the fact that autism is a disorder of early brain development.
Primary School for Poor Children
This is a primary school for children of poor families from other provinces in China who are working in Beijing. The school is a not-profit and not-government school that receive no financial support from the government. Therefore the school’s facilities are very basic. Many immigrants parents can not afford expensive tuition fee for their children at the government school. The school runs on very limited resources so they need a lot of help. Volunteers can teach English and organise activities with the children. The school is located in the east of Beijing close to the city center.