Community Volunteering in Fengyan, China
The Program
Volunteer for the rural communities in China in the lovely village of Fengyan. This program is based in the beautiful karst mountain area in the North East of Guangxi province in the small village of Fengyan. This village is a mainly Yao Minority community of approximately 1300 people, many of whom are farmers.
Beyond the big cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou are the rural communities in China. These are often poor, existing on subsistence farming to earn a living. Fengyan is one such community. It is a small but well preserved village in Guangxi province in the South of China 42kms from Yangshou and 104 kms from the city of Guilin. It typifies the traditional rural way of life in China. It is somewhere where you can make a real and substantial difference:
By working with the farmers
By helping to improve the environment
By running English conversation classes for the village children
All of the community projects are agreed with the village elders. Their concern is to improve the village for the benefit of the villagers. You can make a real difference by volunteering here and at the same time experience the warmth and hospitality of Chinese people.
You can join the program from a minimum 2 weeks up to several months. You need to arrive on the Sunday before the start date of the program at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport. Collection from the airport and return to Guilin airport is included in the price of the program.
The first week of your programme will include a Cultural Immersion week, to ensure you get the most out of your stay and get into the 'swing of things' by learning about the culture, arts, history and Chinese language.
Cultural Immersion Week
The Cultural Immersion Week is a great way to get used to 'real' life in China. You will be exposed to rural village life, learn more about the local customs and learn basic Chinese, including how to bargain for a good price at the local market. During your stay you will gain first hand experience of the lives of the local people such as visiting a village family home to take tea with them. You will learn about Chinese customs, history and social issues. You will also have chance to try your hand at Chinese cooking and learn some of the ancient Chinese crafts, including calligraphy, paper crafting, traditional games (like Mahjong) and may be even learn Tai Chi. You also make short trips to nearby villages and towns and visit temples. In short, you will be immersed into the Chinese culture so that very soon you will feel part of the local community and be well equipped for getting the most out of your volunteering.
The schedule is flexible and may be subject to change depending on weather, time of year and local events and festivals, however a typical itinerary is as follows:
Volunteering Projects
These are the volunteering activities that are available :
Farming Volunteering
Provide an extra pair of hands to the local farmers with their fruit harvest. Pick, peel, select and pack the fruits in preparation for selling. Please note this is only available during the fruit harvest season from November through to end of January.
Environmental Conservation Volunteering
Helping to improve the local environment by helping the local villagers with for example cleaning the rubbish in the village.
Teach English
Running English conversational classes for the village children, many of whom are too poor to afford teachers, and by developing their English skills this will improve their changes to get a job to support their families.
During the summer months, (middle of July to September), our partner runs a Children's English Summer Camp the local rural family children can learn and practice their English. Teaching is usually 2 hours per day (mornings), 5 days a week and you will be responsible for devising lesson plans and fun activities/games to enable them to practice their newly acquired skills in real situations.
Food and Accommodation
You will stay in the Volunteer Center in the middle of the small village of Fengyan. The Volunteer Center is a traditional house and you will share a room with other volunteers. Rooms are equipped with fans, hot and cold water and western style toilets.
All meals will be provided, including breakfast, lunch and dinner (only 2 meals on the weekend are included). This is Chinese local food, which is mainly rice, noodles and vegetables with very little meat.
There is free WIFI internet available in the Volunteer Center.
Requirements
You need to be minimum 18 years old or be accompanied by an adult and have a positive attitude to volunteering.
Program Prices
Prices |
US$ |
GBP |
EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
2 weeks |
645 |
400 |
445 |
3 weeks |
825 |
515 |
570 |
4 weeks |
995 |
625 |
695 |
extra week |
195 |
120 |
135 |
What's included:
• Volunteer Program
• Airport pickup
• Accommodation
• Cultural Immersion Week
• Meals
• Support
• Certificate of Completion
• Pre-departure information
Not included in the prices is your flight, insurance, visa, personal expenses.
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