HCC South China Program
This year, four HCC volunteers will participate in a pioneering 5-week
program providing care and therapy to children at Saiqi Orphanage, Fujian
Province. The volunteers will participate in a pre-visit preparation and
exchange program at Hong Kong Polytechnic University during the first week, followed by a month at Saiqi, where volunteers will work together with PolyU students specializing in Occupational Therapy to provide services and evaluation to the children. Saiqi Orphanage is located in the coastal town of Saiqi in northern Fujian, and is home to 35 children of varying ages and disabilities. The new program will be part of HCC's long-term support of the orphanage, which has included major sources of financial assistance in the past year.
Luoyang Shi Ertong Fuli Yuan [Luoyang Children's Home]
In the historic Old City of Henan's ancient dynastic capital, the Children's Home houses some 400 children and is currently attended by 187 staff members. Some are multiply disabled, while others go to school, and there are opportunities to work in many different capacities with the children. Volunteers eat meals at the orphanage but need to arrange their own housing - we suggest lodging at the Lijing Men Hotel, conveniently located by the West Gate.
Hope Foster Home
Run by two friendly expats, this foster home assists local Beijing government-run children’s welfare institutes. Hope has a well-established program for volunteers, with specific expectations and duties, and specialize particularly in the care of infants and young children. The orphanage is one hour from Beijing. Facilities at the orphanage are comparatively comfortable. This is an English-speaking orphanage so no knowledge of Chinese is required.
Bethel Foster Home
Bethel is a small, recently-opened foster home for the visually-impaired run by a young French couple just outside Beijing. People with experience working with the blind, or with a special interest or talent in music are encouraged to apply. Visit their website for more information.
Jiaozuo Fuli Yuan [Jiaozuo Welfare Center]
Ninety kilometers away from Luoyang in the nearby city of Jiaozuo, 100 children share this beautiful new building with the 40 residents of a home for the elderly. The center has hosted North American and Australian volunteers in the past. Volunteers eat at the orphanage and live in the nearby volunteers' hostel, which provides basic suites with private bath and showers.
Tianjin Shi Ertong Fuli Yuan [The Children's Welfare Institute of Tianjin]
Home to 300 children, roughly 90% with disabilities, this is one of the better-maintained government
orphanages. It is located in the city of Tianjin, roughly two hours southeast of Beijing by train. The children range in age from newborn babies to late teenagers. They live in comparatively good conditions and have access to facilities such as a performance hall, musical instruments, a children’s playground, and a small yard for sports. Though this is definitely not what might be considered an underprivileged orphanage, the children here could certainly benefit in many ways from volunteer help.