Boomers Abroad

Description

A wide range of volunteering placements allows for volunteers to work in an area where their skills will be most useful. Volunteers can choose from teaching English language skills, orphanage work, panda conservation work, or working with special needs children. Volunteers are needed NOW through International Volunteer HQ's partner organization in China!

* Childcare

The childcare volunteer program in China focuses on helping at special needs centres and with some limited work available at orphanages. Many parents in China cannot afford special education or focused care for their child if they have a physical or mental disability. However, there are some community centers that do exist to offer programs for these special needs children from poorer backgrounds that cannot attend mainstream schools. Workers are desperately required as the centers are incredibly understaffed. IVHQ volunteers work in these community centers alongside a small number of local staff assisting children with both physical and mental disabilities. Volunteers assist with the daily operations, which includes tasks such as preparing food, serving meals, cleaning and arranging games and activities for the children. However, the most valuable thing volunteers can offer is love and support for these children. This is one of our neediest programs and is always in need of more volunteers. In addition to this, there are also some limited opportunities to work at orphanages as part of the childcare program. Abandonment statistics have skyrocketed with the China's "one child" rule (or Family Planning Policy) and the societal value of boy babies only further complicates a dire situation. Most Chinese orphanages are understaffed, short on necessary resources and funds. Orphanage volunteers in China are needed to help provide love and care for these children, assist with homework and demonstrate valuable life skills. As an orphanage volunteer in China, you will be involved in many child-focused and enjoyable activities with these children such as feeding the children and preparing them for school. You will also arrange afterschool projects - games and crafts, sports and help them with their homework. You may also teach the children English depending on their age and English capabilities. NB The main need for volunteers on the IVHQ China Childcare program is at special needs centres, however we do have some limitied availability at orphanages. While we can take your preference into consideration, we make no guarantees for what type of institution you will be placed as it does depend on need and availability at the time you will be volunteering.

* Teaching English

Volunteer English teaching in China focuses on developing conversational English skills with Chinese students. IVHQ presently works with Chinese public schools; most of which are located in rural areas just outside of Xi'an and serve the farmers' children and poorer people living outside the cities. In China, there is a growing demand for an English education. With the unprecedented economic growth China has experienced in recent years, the importance of English education has also grown. Many schools in China have established an "English corner", a specially designed spot for teaching/learning English. These schools are very eager to have native English teachers. Unfortunately, only private schools with huge budgets in city areas attract native English teachers. Most of the resource-poor schools remain hopeful for quality English teachers for their classes, with native English speakers at the top of their wish lists. As a volunteer English teacher in China, you will teach English at these rural, resource-poor schools. NB Volunteers DO NOT need to be a qualified or experienced teacher. Volunteer simply need enthusiasm, an open mind, caring spirit and a compassionate nature. If English is not your first language it is important you are fluent and have both advanced written and verbal English skills.

* Panda Conservation

The regal Giant Panda, a well known symbol of China, faces extinction. Many factors are assaulting the Giant Panda's survival: habitat loss, industrialization, a low birth-rate and a history of poaching. It is estimated that there are only 1000 wild Giant Pandas left in the world. The majority of these live in the Chinese provinces of Shaanxi and Sichuan. IVHQ partners with a wildlife and Giant Panda conservation center in the Shaanxi province, approximately two hours outside of Xi'an. Fifteen Giant Pandas call this center home and are being monitored and studied along with other endangered species and wildlife. When you volunteer with the Giant Panda project, you have direct contact with these splendid animals as you work at the conservation center. Volunteers will bathe and feed the animals, clean enclosures and perform general maintenance at the sanctuary. Other endangered species at the center include Golden Monkeys and the Crested Ibis and volunteers will interact with these rare animals as well. It is important to note that the work with the pandas only takes 2-3 hours daily, and therefore many volunteers also choose to teach English at a local school to ensure they have sufficient work and do not become bored. Teaching classes are arranged with the program coordinator during orientation upon arrival in China. NB The IVHQ Panda Conservation has different program fees to the other China programs due to the high costs associated with running this program. Please refer to the program fees page for more information on this.