Volunteer! Charities to Help Out at Over the Holidays
"Volunteer." We’ll be the first to admit is a scary word. Especially when our weekends provide an oasis of calm, more valuable than any amount of 100 yuan bills. All we want to do on a Saturday is nurse our hangovers, kick our feet up with a DVD or spend an hour sipping overpriced coffee out of an oversized mug.
But there is something to be said for donating our time, and sharing a little happiness in the process. So for all of those in need of a little inspiration, we’ve compiled a list of the top charities that need your help.
The Bread of Life Bakery
This organization employs disabled orphans to bake and sell bread, cakes and pastries. Profits from the bakery go toward helping orphans and other children who have orthopedic needs.
Volunteer opportunities: They prefer visitors who can give educational lessons or presentations instead of long-term, live-in volunteers
More info at: www.breadoflifebakery.org
Operation Blessing
They work to improve the lives of orphans, disabled children and the elderly in Beijing. They provide surgeries for orphans and poor children, work to improve education in rural areas, frequently hold medical clinics and work to help communities become sustainable.
Volunteer opportunities: Operation Blessing is looking for volunteers with good Chinese communication skills.
More info at: www.obchina.org
Bethel China
Bethel provides care and education for blind and visually impaired orphans in China. They also provide training to other orphanages.
Volunteer opportunities: Bethel needs volunteers with specialist skills relevant to the children’s needs. Visitors need to make an appointment in advance.
More info at: www.bethelchina.org
New Hope Foundation
New Hope Foundation cares for orphaned babies and provides care and medical treatment for babies with surgically correctable deformities.
Volunteer opportunities: They would like volunteers that can come and spend a morning with the children.
More info at: www.hopefosterhome.com
UNICEF
UNICEF is dedicated to improving the lives of children by working to overcome obstacles such as poverty, violence, disease and discrimination.
Volunteer opportunities: Potential volunteers need to submit their resume; accepted candidates will be contacted.
More info at: Beijing@unicef.org
Chi Heng
This organization provides education and care for children whose lives have been impacted by AIDS/HIV and also run AIDS prevention projects.
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers are needed to help with fundraising, awareness-raising, event planning and office support.
More info at: www.chfaidsorphans.com
Compassion for Migrant Children
An organization dedicated to serving China’s urban migrant children, by establishing community centers in migrant neighborhoods.
Volunteer opportunities: CMC need volunteers for their afterschool program, early childhood development, life vocational skills, computer classes and much more.
More info at: www.cmc-china.org
Morning Tears
An organization dedicated to supporting the needs of children of convicts in Beijing. They are planning to start up a project similar to their successful Coming Home Centre in Zhengzhou. With this new Beijing center, they also want to assist children whose parents are in psychiatric institutions. Currently, they are seeking funding to get this project started.
Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers are needed for all types of work and will be assigned to a committee (communication, fundraising, research, etc.).
More info at: hans.lenders@moringtears.org.cn or www.morningtears.org.cn.
Little Flower Projects
They provide specialist care to abandoned infants and long-term care for mentally and physically disabled orphans. They also provide help for special cases, such as children with needs from poor families.
Volunteer opportunities: They are currently running a program for people to come to their baby home and group home to take care of the children. The volunteers must first undergo a brief training session. Other opportunities include positions such as administrative work, fundraising coordination, website maintenance and inventory management.
More info at: www.littleflowerprojects.org
Photo: www.obchina.org
