Expat Cat Answers on Living in Shanghai - Charities and Volunteering ExpatCat - July 25, 2005 - 06:32 PM Post subject: Charities and Volunteering
A common inquiry on the site regards charity or volunteer opportunities. Shanghai has a number of organizations that serve the community in many ways. I would like to put together a centralized list for people to use. If you know of any organizations, please add them.
Lifeline Shanghai
www.lifelineshanghai.comMichael - July 26, 2005 - 02:57 PM Post subject:
Great info!
Michael - July 26, 2005 - 03:00 PM Post subject:
There is also a group organzing Habitat for Humanity working here.
The Rotary in Shanghai also sponsors some charitable fundraising.
Also.. pm emilytt with any additional info ( she is collecting things now for a charities section).
conniechong - July 26, 2005 - 04:28 PM Post subject:
Michael, is there any possibility ShanghaiExpat is going to work out something concrete in volunteering work?
lavief - Aug 03, 2005 - 11:58 AM Post subject:
thanks for the information. Does anyone know if it is possible to visit a Children's home in shanghai?
greetings
Michael - Aug 03, 2005 - 12:29 PM Post subject:
There is that possiblity, but for it to happen sooner rather than later the initiative has to come from the members. Our resources are stretched pretty thin. We will offer support in the things we are setup to do in terms of promotion, assistance with organizing, and providing support. However, it has a potential to be a big thing. Anyone want organize a Support a Charity Group for Shanghaiexpat?
conniechong - Aug 03, 2005 - 01:04 PM Post subject:
Michael, I can be a helping hand for any upcoming organisation for children with learning difficulties, such as ADD, ADHD and Down Syndrome. Sourcing professional instructor for short term isn't a problem to me. If you need any informaton for such, I can be reached. Please pm me for my contact number. Thanks.
Del - Aug 03, 2005 - 01:38 PM Post subject:
Hi Lavief,
If you are interested in visiting or volunteering at a childrens home here in Shanghai pls. pm me your thoughts and availability and I'll try to organize it..
Del
DeeLphiC - Aug 03, 2005 - 04:59 PM Post subject:
Michael wrote:
Also.. pm emilytt with any additional info ( she is collecting things now for a charities section).
Just want to double check before pm to emilytt - so she is collecting clothes quilts blanket stuff for charity use and purpose??? or she just collect information??!! my pack is ready but just wondering where I should sent it to.
D
Nancy - Aug 03, 2005 - 10:03 PM Post subject:
I am now stationed in Hefei. You guys may all know that Hefei (in Anhui) is wellknown as one of the poorest town in China. By now, I know there are great numbers of orphanages in town and wish to be any help in one or two. Unfortunately, it's not that easy for laowai to enter the orphanage. The translator boy in our company has checked for me, but they did question my motives to visit the children. Right now, I am kinda busy with work, but soon I settle down alrite I wish to start get myself down with this social activities. Any help from you guys would be great...
Just for insight...
In Hefei, there's this pedestrian kind (like Nanjing rd), while eating there I had to witness how little children gathered around us for leftovers. I know it sounds extremely gross... but this is what happened in Hefei. I have little sympathy for money beggars, but watching these little children had to steal lefovers really froze me... dunno how to react, whether I should buy them food (with chance that hundreds would soon come to join), or simply handed them whatever I was in the middle with or ignored them... it's really a tough decision.
Some of the children look cute en bright, they didnt beg, instead they stood by some tables looking at another children their age dining in with their parents. I watched them en could imagine whatz in their eyes. I wonder how life would possibly be for them if someone did a little favour for them.
I had a talk with some friends and they might be interested to provide me with some fund and old clothes. If anyone has info or can help me to get me into the orphanage it would be great. I am looking forward to teach English or sport or any kind in weekly basis as well.
I dont believe in joining any organization thou!!!
lavief - Aug 10, 2005 - 11:16 AM Post subject:
hey del
I tried to pm you. Did you recieve my message?
lavief - Aug 12, 2005 - 01:23 PM Post subject:
a chinese friend of mine called the Shanghai Children's Home to ask for me if I could visit them. They were not very enthusiastic about it and told her to call the civil administration. I am wondering why it so hard to visit them. I really have no bad intentions.....I feel a little disappointed now. I would really like to visit a Childrens Home because I am interested in the welfare of children and I like to get an impression of the situation the children are in.
Has anyone ever visited a Children's Home in Shanghai or now a place which I can visit?
greetings Lavief
tnmom - Aug 12, 2005 - 03:24 PM Post subject:
I have visited the Children's Home with the group that goes from my childrens' school. I think the easiest way to volunteer is to go with a group that has already established a visiting pattern - I believe there is a community center group that goes to an orphanage monthly (www.communitycenter.cn). I can understand why they wouldn't want just anyone to come in - their purpose is to take care of the kids, not to be a showplace for visitors (though they do sometimes serve that purpose for visiting officials). You may know that your intentions are good, but they don't.
lavief - Aug 12, 2005 - 07:20 PM Post subject:
thanks for your reply and advice.
c595970 - Aug 22, 2007 - 12:24 AM Post subject:
Hi Everyone,
This is Rich from Hands On Shanghai (www.handsonshanghai.com). We are currently working with a variety of local organizations (migrant schools, elderly care centers, children hospitals, and other groups) on a weekly basis (10+ projects a week).
Some of our activities include teaching, mentoring, assisting in rehabilitation, painting, watching movies, photography clubs, etc We offer programs for non-Mandarin speakers, although an increased level of Mandarin is essential for our some of our programs.
If you would like to volunteer, simply go to our website and register as a volunteer. Once you have done that, you can go to any of our events and RSVP.
yenc722 - Aug 28, 2007 - 10:57 AM Post subject:
FYI
the shanghai red cross website above is incorrect.
