The Lotus Volunteer Program in Beijing hosts a wide array of projects and community service initiatives, all of which prove to be valuable and fulfilling life experiences for our members.

Our Beijing-based undertakings include working with children with special needs and disabilities and teaching English at orphanages and schools for Migrants. Lotus students choose when and where they wish to volunteer.

Our program gives members the chance to make an important contribution to less fortunate members of our society. Many students and travelers walk away from these volunteering experiences with added perspective and insight, not only into Chinese culture, but humanity in general. And of course you cannot overlook the value of staying with a Chinese Homestay during your stay. By staying with your host family you will not only receive a "home-away-from-home" feeling, but also take part in a unique inter-cultural experience that you can't get from staying in dormitories.

Volunteers Programs in Beijing

School for Migrants
The School for Migrants was established to help immigrant children of poor working families in Beijing. The school is a not-for-profit private school that receives no financial support from the government. Immigrant parents send their children to these schools because they cannot afford to send their children to government run schools. Teachers and volunteers utilize the limited resources to make the place as stimulating as possible for young learners.

Sun Village—Home for children of prisoners
Sun Village is a non-profit organization dedicated to caring for children of prisoners. Since 2000, Beijing Sun Village has taken care of over 1,000 children whose hometowns span the 16 provinces across China. The children's ages range from 3 months to 18 years old. In addition to providing a place to live and medical support, Sun Village arranges for the children to go to their respective local school until their parents secure

Volunteers and Children

At Sun Village, volunteers contribute to fieldwork tending a farm, teaching English or guiding the children in activities like embroidering or cooking.

Beijing Zhiguang Special Education Training School
Zhiguang School aims to improve living conditions for mentally challenged young people in an effort to allow them to live a life free of abandonment or abuse. Zhiguang provides job training and social skill development classes. To volunteer, see below!

Volunteers requirements:
1. Preferably possess a background related to child development, psychology, education, or medicine, school management and human resource.
2. Can be able to commit 1-2 days/week over a sustained period of time or one full week or more.

Orphanage
The orphanage was established to provide an education and care for orphans. Our volunteers play and care of the children in a number of ways including drawing with them, playing music with them, etc. The orphanage is located in the suburbs close to the center of Beijing.

School for Disabled Children
This is a training school for mentally challenged children. It is also a private non-profit organization with students from Beijing and other provinces. Most of their children attending this school have Down's Syndrome or Autism. The aim of the school is to develop the children's learning abilities as much as possible. A common activity for volunteers is to assist the teachers during class time. Volunteers often end up dancing and playing games with the children.

Charity Excursion
In addition to the volunteer programs above, Lotus Beijing Office regularly organizes charity excursions to rural areas. For instance, sometimes Lotus regularly visits senior centers, rural area, charity sales, etc. Please click here for further information on excursions.

Accommodation
Homestay is the only housing accommodation in our program. Please click here for further information.

Volunteer Criteria
If you would like to teach, no teaching experience is necessary. The level of English you will be teaching to these children is very basic. The main requirements are flexibility, enthusiasm and a willingness to help.

Start & Duration
Our volunteer program in Beijing starts whenever you're ready! You can join the program for any length of time.
Price for Volunteer Programs in Beijing (USD)

The price includes:

• Volunteer Programs
• Excursions and culture activities organized by Lotus Beijing Office
• Accommodation with Homestay, include private bedroom, breakfast & dinner, computer and free DSL Internet service.
• Airport pickup and drop off in Beijing
• Welcome/Orientation Package which includes: Chinese-English-Chinese dictionary, map of Beijing, phone card of 100RMB and a mobile SIM card .
• Welcome dinner and other stuff prepared by the host family and Lotus Beijing Office
• Supervision and 24-hour phone assistance from Lotus Beijing Office
• Donation to schools