Buddy System: Volunteer for a Good Time

Our bus chugged along the quiet road, transporting us from the familiar gray city-scape of high rises to shocking green foliage and downtrodden homes. It was 8.30am on a Saturday morning, and I was on my way to volunteer as a Beijing Buddy at a migrant school located an hour outside of the CBD. The drop-in program recruits volunteers to teach and play with underprivileged children on a biweekly basis.

“I’ve been going nearly every week for the past two years,” Fiona Boyle, daughter of the founder of Migrant Children’s Foundation, tells me. She emphasizes that while long-term volunteers are of more value, Beijing Buddies is a no-strings attached commitment: “You can volunteer whenever and as often as you like.”

Being a newbie, I was paired with Boyle to help lead the English session. (Fridays tend to be strictly language classes, while Saturdays involve more hands-on activities and games.) “ HELLOOOO!” the children screeched, bristling with anticipation as we entered. A few were tentative and shy, others brazen and mischievous – but all appeared intellectually curious. I sat down in the back, next to two chubby-cheeked girls and a handful of extra lively boys.

Colors were on the agenda that day, and Boyle got straight down to business. She pointed at her sweatshirt – an unabashed canary yellow. “What color is this?” she asked expectantly. Silence filled the room, until one boy burst out with a confident “RED!” A chorus of “reds” followed, every kid eager to gain our approval. When Boyle feigned a shocked expression, the kids giggled uproariously, undeterred by their mistakes. And boy, did they catch on fast.

But the real fun began during recess. Girls clustered around me, tugging on my hand. “Teacher, teacher!” they squealed. “Won’t you come play with us?” Never before had I been greeted with such unbridled enthusiasm. I accompanied them to the black asphalt “playground” where other kids were already in full swing playing hand-clapping games, kicking feathered jianzi and jumping rope. A horde of them screamed with laughter as they piled up on one of the regular teachers, taking turns to hug him tightly. He’d earned their trust, and they adored him.

By the time 1pm rolled around, I found that I was sorry to leave. The kids stared at me with big eyes and begged me to come back. How could I resist?

Beijing Buddies meet every Saturday morning at 8.30am at the Guomao subway station (Exit C). Visit www.mcfchina.org/beijingbuddies to reserve your place.

Click here to see the November issue of the Beijinger in full.