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ChrisinChina - a VSO experience
I am working with the largest social enterprise in China on volunteer and strategic management.
The enterprise includes computer software development and animation and all the profits from the company fund a foundation for disabled people that has several volunteer centres, education and welfare centres and campaigns on behalf of disabled people. I am helping them with English communication kills plus recruiting high level management volunteers to mentor the management team. Also helping to develop organisational and volunteer management systems.
Canyou is a really amazing organisation and the people here are really welcoming and passionate about what they do. Most here are college and university graduates with disability and there is no sense of heirarchy - simply a group of people wanting to achieve great things. All inspired by the founder Mr Zheng. Everyone has givin themselves an English name in my honour. Angelo the General Secretary, and Jerry my direct colleague are making sure I settle in and are really looking after me. And not forgetting Michael who is my right hand man!! Don't know what I would do without him.
The work environment is really good. The day goes on the lines of:
Start at 9 (breakfast available at 8.30 if you want it)
At 12 noon everyone has lunch together (all provided) and then takes an hours rest or time out. Personally I have my eye on the comfy chairs in the meeting room for my afternoon nap.
Day finishes at 6 when the evening meal is provided.
Last night I ate at home with my flatmates who provided a fab meal - and champagne!!
Everyone here takes an evening walk after eating - so the town is very lively at night.
My flat is on the 13th floor of a 30 story block. Basic but sufficient. I share with 2 volunteers from the dyslexia centre - Moon and Amber (who have promised to take me to Hong Kong) plus a family of 4. They are so welcoming and helpful to me.
So far I have been pretty knackered at the end of the day. Getting used to the heat and the way of life has been a bit overwhelming. An 8 day holiday starts this weekend so things will slow down a little and I can pace myself better. Most people are off home to family for the week. I will spend some of Sunday with those staying behind, celebrating Autumn Day and then Monday relaxing.
Currently 33 degrees in the day and about 24 at night - and apparently this is cool! So glad summer is nearly a year away.
- comments
Carla It all sounds fantastic and so exciting. It makes me want to come over and volunteer as well xx
Lisa Canham All sounds really good chris, take care of yourself, xx
Maureen Sounds brill Chris its peeing it down here thats all it does these days take care x