The Giving Season: Where to Volunteer in Beijing
A question we receive regularly on the Beijinger’s forum is, “Where can I volunteer?” or “I have clothes/books/bicycles to donate, who can accept these items?” The answer is that a number of charities and non-governmental organizations in Beijing are in need of and accept both. Here are some suggestions for where to get started giving, or giving back.
Roundabout: Beijing's answer to the Salvation Army. Roundabout collects gently-used clothing and household items for redistribution to communities in need across the country. Shop their Shunyi store for paintings, sofas, and other secondhand treasures. Goods can be donated there or at their downtown drop-off location near Xindong Lu or behind Yosemite Villas in Shunyi. Volunteers are also welcome. For a current list of desired/needed items, visit roundaboutchina.com/donate.
Morning Tears: This organization represents some of the most downtrodden children in Chinese society: children of convicts, including those where one parent has murdered the other, and are subsequently abandoned by relatives. Founded in China in 1998, Morning Tears is an international non-profit organization who stands up for children of convicts through raising awareness of the issues surrounding such children and capacity building. Morning Tears accepts both monetary donations, and as an organization run entirely by volunteers, they're always looking for new faces to help. morningtears.org.
Magic Hospital: This hospital works with sick, hospitalized, handicapped, orphaned, abused and at risk children aged 0-18 who are permanently or temporarily deprived of a carefree and fun childhood. The organization operates facilities in both France and China, and accepts both monetary donations, but also volunteers. Learn more at magichospital.org
Migrant Children’s Foundation: The MCF is a non-profit organization that aims to enrich the lives of disadvantaged children in China through volunteering. Volunteers undertake one month support placements at under-resourced schools in Beijing, but the focus isn't only on teaching – it's about sharing experiences, giving time, learning new skills and experiencing life in one of the oldest, most fascinating and fastest-changing countries on earth. They offer both a general volunteer program and Beijing Buddies, the latter of which is a twice-weekly commitment to visit schools serving migrant workers. mcfchina.org
Little Adoption Shop: For animal lovers. Christopher Barden is the founder and owner of Little Adoption Shop in Shunyi. Hailing from sunny California, he has lived in Beijing for almost 20 years. He first came here as a writer, working for Beijing Scene, one of the city’s original expat magazines. In 2000, Barden found himself picking up a few stray cats and dogs; with no real plans for what to do with them, he felt the need to help them in some way. His experiences fueled an interest in animal rights, and in 2006 Barden became involved with Chinese animal protection groups. Over time, he has earned a reputation as “the foreigner who saves strays.” For more information, contact Chris Barden at 136 8360 2305, chris@lingyangxiaopu.com.
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