Want to see what all the fuss is about?

China is definitely the place to be at the moment. It’s hard for a country of over a billion people to sneak up on anyone but it has suddenly become the subject of fevered conversation and interest, and the next 100 years has already been christened ‘China’s century’. This is your chance to separate the myth from the fact and see for yourself what the future looks like, while making a huge difference to the lives of orphaned and underprivileged children throughout Xi'an. You’ll be responsible for giving general care, playing games, singing songs and taking simple lessons.

What does this community project do?

We work with a number of different projects which you can volunteer at in Xi'an. These are at two orphanages, a municipal orphanage and a small one organized by a South African lady called Amanda. There is also a centre for mentally disabled children, aimed at educating the children and providing assistance to their parents. There is also the opportunity to work in the kindergarten associated with the university of XiDian University.

The municipal orphanage is a large, government run centre. There are currently 110 staff and 470 orphans. Since 1994, this orphanage has helped to re-home almost 300 orphans to both Chinese and foreign families. This orphanage looks after babies to children aged up to 16. Once the children turn 16, many start to work at the orphanage and look after younger children. Children who do not have special needs go to local schools during the day. Volunteers are required to look after babies aged 0 to 3 years. During the summer you may also have chance to teach English to the older children who are on their summer holidays.

The other orphanage, called Starfish, is organized by a South African lady called Amanda. It is located in a nice complex with two large flats. The very ill babies  (aged 0 to 3 years) are collected from the city orphanage and Starfish helps to organise the necessary surgery in bigger cities like Shanghai or Hangzhou. You will be required to help look after the children.

Finally the centre for disabled children - Heart to Heart Kindergarten; was set up by parents whose children are mentally disabled. The organization has helped 168 disabled children since 2001. There are 13 trained teachers, two social workers, six part-time workers and some volunteer groups. Most of the children are autistic at this centre. The caring and interaction with the kids offered by western volunteers is very helpful to the children.

XiDian kindergarten is a normal kindergarten, there are over 500 children and 60 staff and the school itself resembles a fairy castle. Set up in 1958 it has a good reputation in Xi’an. The work mainly includes teaching English, singing, and dancing with the children.

Volunteers who book this project will be placed at one of the above projects, based on their background and previous experience. Preferences can be stated but this is not guaranteed.

Why does this project need volunteers?

Volunteers are needed at all of these projects to help care for the disadvantaged children. Although there are full time members of staff, they are over stretched and under-resourced, so your help is desperately needed. 

At the XiDian Kindergarten a bilingual scheme has been introduced but many of the teachers do not have the English skills to be able to give the lessons. Some of the English Major students volunteer but also need assistance in improving their language skills.

Your role as a volunteer

The work at these projects will be a general care role. You will be playing with the kids and helping with games, songs and simple lessons. You can also help with meal times and day-to-day routines, such as nappy changing and bathing. Sometimes you may also take the children out into the community to get them used to doing everyday activities, allowing them to get to know their surroundings and society.

The skills you need

You need to love working with children, three of the projects are working with children with special needs so you may also find this challenging. The kindergarten will also be challenging as you will need to be prepared to teach English, sing songs and dance! You also need to be aware of the language barrier and cultural differences, it is important to go to the project with lots of enthusiasm and an open mind.

Accommodation included

You'll be staying in a shared volunteer apartment on a shared dormitory basis.

Project resources and advice

Resources at the project are very limited, so you may wish to bring some resources along with you, such as books, music, tapes, toys, paints, clothes, utensils, and toothbrushes for orphans. Gripe water is also very much needed as it is very important for the babies with a cleft palate condition that have not been able to be operated on. These babies are unable to take food and rely on the gripe water to settle their stomachs, without this water they could be severely ill and face hunger and could possibly die. 

Local facilities

Transport to the orphanage will be by public bus, taking two buses, this can take up to 1.5 hours so it will mean an early morning start. For the Heart to Heart and Starfish projects these will also be by bus but will take less time. Each bus will cost around 1 Yuan per journey. The Kindergarten is approximately a 10 to 15 minute walk. 

Food included

3 meals delicious and nutritious meals will be provided each day, breakfast and dinner at the volunteer house and lunch either at the project or at the volunteer house. Meals will be traditional Chinese cuisine!

Things that you will need to organize yourself

• Flights to China: i-to-i can secure preferential rates, please ask us
• Travel insurance: i-to-i can secure preferential rates, please ask us
• Visa
• In-country transport (except your airport pickup on arrival date)
• Tours, trips and add-ons: i-to-i can secure preferential rates, please ask us
• Extra food and equipment