This past summer a great group of students participated in the China Summer Teaching Program — three weeks in a beautiful and remote area of the Hunan province. They taught, traveled, hiked, made bonds, and ate a whole lot of wonderful food.

We were inspired by the memories they shared and touched by the impact  on everyone involved… Don’t worry, the program will run again this summer so you can get involved with China Summer Program 2012!

“It might be hard at first getting used to conditions, but it’s really a wonderful and rewarding experience. Also, you should show the students that you actually want to be there teaching because it makes them a lot more enthusiastic about learning.” –Joyce Sun

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Some of the volunteers and students exploring during free time

What a great way to spend three weeks! Volunteers traveled from the U.S. and from other regions in China to this lovely and remote village. They stayed in a schoolhouse and taught English and environmental studies to local Chinese students during their summer vacation.  

When they arrived in China they were touched to be greeted by a welcoming committee of students all cheering, playing musical instruments, and beyond thrilled to invite the volunteers into their program.

About 2 weeks into the program, we had the chance to check in on some of the volunteers.  The group was enthusiastic as they talked about the culture, the students, and what it was like to teach for the first time in another language.

Perfecting the art of teaching

Each of the American volunteers, including the leader of the group, Anne, had some personal connection to China.  Anne, who is 23 years old, has been traveling from her home in Boston, MA to China for the past four years to take part in this program; Carianne from Pittsburg is half-Chinese, but didn’t speak any Chinese before her trip this summer; Ross from New Jersey speaks Chinese–just to name a few.

The volunteers from America were all excited to learn more about the Chinese culture and language, but none of them expected to enjoy teaching as much as they did. It definitely helped that the students involved in their classes were all excited for the summer program; one of the students in Grade 6 wrote:

“Our happiest time of course is summer vacation! Because during summer vacation, we have China Summer! Because we have China Summer, we are able to develop our abilities. When we are at Chinna Summer, we study very happily, and in our studies we meet teachers from many places.”

A happy classroom

Once the volunteers got past the first day jitters, they each found the joy in connecting with their students. One volunteer who didn’t speak any Chinese struggled the first couple days and didn’t feel like she was making any progress.  By the third day, however, she was excited to notice her students working on their commands and greetings–all things she’d been trying to get them to understand. She said at that moment she realized “oh wow, I finally connected with my students!”

Another volunteer, Katie, explained: “I learned a lot about the Chinese culture and also found that establishing a connection with the students was extremely important. With this connection, the students and I were able to get along nicely!”

One of the volunteers from China, Huang-Cheng, talked about his idea to teach students how to make balloon animals using a “how-to” video downloaded on his cell phone. He laughed as he said the kids learned how to make the balloon dog faster than him.  Some of the other activities the teachers incorporated beyond the classroom included board games including chess, checkers, cards; basketball and other sports; arts such as painting and drawing; and most importantly, any form of exercise between classes to get out extra energy!

Bonding with some students

Volunteers had the unique opportunity to travel with some students from their classes to their homes in and around Haojiping. Julian Mu said of his visit to his student’s home: “my five hour walk to the home visit not only made me realize how out of shape I was, but also the obstacles the students have to overcome, just to learn. It made me understand how easy I have it in comparison.”

Volunteer Katie Li remarked that her home visit was one of the most memorable moments of the entire program for her:

“I will never forget the images I saw at their house and the amount of awards that Yang Qiao Hong (her student) has received despite everything she has been through. It is truly inspiring how determined she is and how much her family loves her.”

Each of the volunteers seemed to agree that the best part of the program was bonding with the kids and the other volunteers.  Julian explained, “Volunteering with the group that I volunteered with definitely added to the experience, and I know that even after volunteering, we will always be very good friends.”

Teacher Ross helping students

Katie Li felt the same, explaining, “Not only were the students I taught amazing, the other volunteers I met were just as great. This program has given me memories that will last a lifetime and friends that I will continue to stay in contact with.”

Julian remarked on the program and the joy of volunteering in general  in his evaluation survey:

“Just knowing that you have made a difference, no matter what size, in someone’s life is really an experience that everyone must have. Volunteering was great not only because of what I’ve accomplished, but also how the program changed me. I feel more confident and useful now in my school and life because of the volunteer work. The friendships made were also fantastic. Overall, this was possibly one of the best times I’ve had in my life and if I had to do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat.”

Beautiful view on a hike during their free time

We’ll leave you with some advice for future volunteers…

“Go crazy. Just go all out and have the most fun you could have. Don’t be afraid to be judged or don’t be reserved, because that takes away a lot from the experience.” –Julian Mu

“Future volunteers should show their enthusiasm by spending time with their students, not only in class, but outside of class too. The students love to learn about new games and they like personal stories as well.” –Katie Li

“Set a good example for students. Realize it’s a different culture and adapt. Don’t be negative about anything and see things positively. Interact with students outside of class.” –Carianne Lee

Thanks to all our volunteers, we love hearing about the amazing impact you have…

Find out more information about China Summer Program 2012 and how you can get involved!

How are the survivors managing after the quake, the tsunami, the fires? How can we offer help that is productive and lasting?

We hosted a wonderful webinar featuring
Ms. Chie Goto, United Planet Japan Country Manager.
She discussed her travels meeting and helping the thousands of survivors, many of whom remain homeless; and let us know how we can get involved.

Friday, September 30, 2011  |  6pm EST; 3pm PST

If you would like to arrange a meeting with or a presentation by Ms. Goto while she is in the U.S., please let us know also.

Email jessica@unitedplanet.org

Many thanks to Owen Li for making and sending us this touching and lovely video of his time volunteering in Ghana.

“I am the volunteer Owen who participated the united planet program in Ghana this summer, I joined this program in August. After I came back, I made a video about this experience.”

We just heard from Jenny, a Long Term volunteer who began her 6 months in Ghana this August 2011.  Here are some excerpts from her blog… we’re all excited to read up on her trip, it sounds great so far!

From 9/16/2011: “Relax. Be patient. You have more time.”

Ghana Bound!!

If you ever find yourself venturing around Ghana, those are the three things you will need to remember. But I’ll get to that a little later.

I want to write everything, tell you all of my experiences so far, but I have to accept that it would be impossible to do that. I think this post will have to be separated into short blurbs.

-I arrived in Accra Tuesday afternoon, was picked up by Sheila, an ICYE worker, and with some apprehension, jumped in a taxi to wherever I was being taken. Accra traffic is scary, to say the least.

-I’m staying in a hostel with 21 other volunteers as we go through a week of orientation. Being the only American, it’s been quite a cultural experience so far. The others are from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, and Sweden.

I definitely have it easiest when it comes to the Ghanaian English accent. The others know English, some better than the rest, but they have a very hard time understanding. Not in a mean way, but it’s interesting to watch them struggle.

Hostel for orientation week

They switch back and forth between their own languages and English to help each other understand. I don’t remember what it’s like to sit in the same room with everyone speaking English anymore.

-White people are ‘Oburoni’. Oburoni means white. White means rich (to them).

The men on the street come up, put their arm around you, attempt to make friends (sometimes more than friends), and will then try to sell you something.

-All my stressful preparation is paying off. Other volunteers are coming to me for things they need (good thing I brought a little extra of everything). I brought out UNO one night as well. Each country had some different rules, so we had fun making it up as we went.

-We started our intensive Twi language courses today. It’s…intense.

Drinking water in a bag

-I’m actually never too hot. I think good ol’ psychotic Minnesota weather is to thank for that.

-Now back to the title of this blog. We volunteers have been told numerous times that the hardest part of this adventure is already done.

We made the decision to move to Ghana.

William (the head guy here) says, “If you make it to Ghana, there is nothing you can’t do”.

He says that everything will come in its own time. I’m here for 6 months, there’s no rush to figure it all out. Just “relax” and “be patient”.

-Girl Worth Fighting For, from Mulan, has been stuck in my head for 3 days.

“When you travel you experience, in a very practical way, the act of rebirth. You confront completely new situations, the day passes more slowly, and on most journeys you don’t even understand the language the people speak….You begin to be more accessible to others, because they may be able to help you in difficult situations.”

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From 9/18/2011: “Naa Adwoa Shika”

Naming ceremony

That ^ is my Ghanaian name. Yesterday, we held a semi-traditional naming ceremony for all the volunteers.

Traditionally, after a Ghanaian woman gives birth, they keep the baby inside the house for 7 days.

On the 8th day, they perform an “outdooring”, and officially name the baby. The libation process is kinda complex, it involves dipping fingers into spirit alcohol and water, and placing symbolic drops in the baby’s mouth.

All the while, an elder wishes good morals and truth upon the baby. In the Akan culture, the first name is based on the day the baby was born (mine being Adwoa-monday).

Documenting all the new names

The second name is sometimes after an important family member/friend or it can be a name that means something good. Sampson, our Twi teacher who performed this whole ceremony, gave me Shika.

It means I bring wealth to wherever I go, I have a beautiful spirit, and I should have many many children. “2 children in 3 months” as Sampson joked. He’s a funny guy.

Our ceremony was minus the drops of liquid. Instead, we drank out of glasses. And let me tell you, 43% alcohol content was not my cup of tea…

Rachel and Matt met Patrick at the Otavalo market during a fine excursion with other United Planet volunteers in July.

Rachel and Matt, both experienced travelers at the age of 17, had the good fortune to overlap some weeks this summer while living and volunteering in Quito, Ecuador. They stayed with the same host family, and worked together in a center for street children.

The family included mom and dad, and three school-age sons; the house was a short walk to the project. Rachel and Matt would eat dinner with them most nights – “I love the soups,” says Rachel – and enjoy excursions on the weekend.

During weekdays, they spent 8am-12:30pm at the center; had a 2-hour break; and went to Spanish class in the afternoon. At the center, they helped with a variety of tasks – playing with the younger kids, helping older kids with schoolwork, conducting group games that involved sharing and discussion of values.  During the summer, the center hosts a camp that gives school-age kids a safe place.

Matt with one of the kids at the center, in a race with...

...Rachel, with one of the kids. The kids enjoyed playing no matter where or when...

The center provides a supportive environment for kids who need someplace to go; they provide meals, some housing, education about dangers on the street, tutoring, and more. Their families may be struggling with poverty, addictions, illness, homelessness.

Rachel notes, “I completely love all the boys and girls. Little kids love to be held, and it’s so fun to pick them up and play with them.”

“The best part is when we do the school stuff, and they respond. It’s so great that we can help with that,” says Matt. The worst part? “The language barrier.”

Rachel agrees. “It’s really hard when we don’t understand what’s happening, especially when the kids are arguing about something, and we can’t help them resolve it.”

Both Rachel and Matt knew some Spanish before they arrived, and were taking classes at a local Spanish school.

During the summer, the center operates a camp for school-age kids who need a place to go.

“It’s been amazing,” says Rachel. “It was a truly life-changing experience. I will never forget the incredible children who are open and loving to a stranger. I will never forget how smart they are and how creative. Esteban, Alex, and everyone else will for always and ever have a place in my heart.”

Matt says, “Quito forced me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things on a daily basis. Whether it was adapting to the schedule at the center or zip-lining over the rain-forest, I was compelled to live outside of my normal world in the United States. The trip was an exhilarating experience of a lifetime that I would never trade for anything.”

Matt and the nice lady bargained for quite awhile over the colorful hammock. Everyone was happy in the end...