My name is Angelina Anh Laute, a Grade 10 student at the Western Academy of Beijing. I am American with Vietnamese-German heritage, but I was born in Beijing and have lived here all my life. I am a drummer in a band with my best friends at school and have been a Taekwondo practitioner for the past five years.                                                 

Can you briefly tell us about the Peachy Run project and how it led to your current internship at the children’s home Dew Drops?

For my WAB Personal Project, I organized a community charity event, Peachy Charity Run & Brunch, dedicated to raising funds for a five-year-old orphan called Ping who suffers from a rare genetic skin disease (epidermolysis bullosa, or EB). I wanted to raise RMB 10,000 for one month of specialized care. Through social media campaigns, posters, and talks around my school, [as well as through]community outreach and local media, over 50 people attended the charity run and over 100 people donated locally and internationally, raising RMB 28,068.65 – almost triple my initial goal. My family has visited Ping at Dew Drops, a home for medically compromised children, for ten years. When my classmates and I had to choose an area of work for the World of Work one-week internship program, I thought of Dew Drops’ inspiring leaders and children and knew I wanted to work with them.

What motivated you to start the Peachy Run and raise funds for Ping?
My family started the project. Since I was a little girl, I’ve seen my mom help our Beijing community. I first saw this when I played with orphans in the dental office waiting room while my mom and her doctors gave free dental care to needy children. In high school, my brother started the Peachy Run. I wanted to help my community after watching my family work.

I realized that only a cause I care about and connect with would motivate me to finish my charity run. Ping came to mind. Two years ago, his patience, strength, and resilience inspired me. I understand Ping’s discomfort, insecurity, and physical pain because my brother had skin issues as a child. To prevent infections, his caregivers apply ointment and bandages daily. I always see him smiling. I wanted to give back after he inspired me.

Could you describe your experiences during the Peachy Run and the impact it had on Ping’s life?
During the project, strangers approached me at school and on social media. They told me my project inspired them. The best feeling is seeing so many people passionate about something I love. The power of community was shown by people working together for a common goal. The Peachy Run & Brunch will provide Ping with specialized care for over four months, including bandaging materials (4,000 rolls of gauze and 100 boxes of petroleum gauze), food, and 24/7 loving caregivers.

What made you decide to pursue an internship at the children’s home after the Peachy Run? How has your time at the home been so far, and what have you learned from the experience?
After my Peachy Run, I wanted to learn how I could continue to make my altruistic actions more effective and have a larger impact, and I knew Dew Drops and their team of strong and compassionate women would help me do that. In addition, I especially looked forward to the daily interactions with the children and the rewarding experience it would bring. My time at Dew Drops has made me understand the operational processes of a successful nonprofit organization. Every day, the women there must adapt to the constant changes in their work, with new children entering their programs and finding new innovative ways to spread their message to a wider audience. No matter how challenging work can get, they always have the safety and happiness of their children as the number one priority.

Can you share a specific moment or story from this week’s internship that has had a profound impact on you? How has this experience influenced your perspective on helping others and making a difference?One day I came to work with two braids and a little girl said she loved them and wished she could have them too. We sat on the ground and I braided her hair. We sang along to songs on her toy radio, she showed me her favorite puzzle. She explained her favorite colors and flowers, and I read her the Ugly Duckling while she turned the pages. While braiding her hair, we shared an intimacy like my mom and I. I assumed someone would braid my hair and read me picture books. Family’s smallest details create lasting memories. I’m glad I could give the little girl those small moments, as I had them when I was younger.

（Official WeChat account of the children’s home）

Images: Courtesy of Angelina Anh Laute

Are you a teen or pre-teen who’s eager to volunteer in Beijing, but don’t really know where to start? Do you find yourself wondering what you can do, who you should contact, the time commitment, or what will even interest you?

Well, look no further! This guide is here to help you in your quest to help others! As a teenage volunteer enthusiast, I have gathered a few spectacular volunteering opportunities, so that you can give back to your community this summer. What’s more, they’re open all year round.

Rainbow Angel Coffee House

Rainbow Angel Coffee House (RAC) was founded in March 2017 by Felicia Li, a mother who volunteered in Beijing Tianyun Hearing and Speech Rehabilitation Center. After seeing the difficult road to recovery for deaf teens and the financial burden it puts on their families, Li determined to help the community and give its children the future they deserve. Since its inception, RAC has been committed to training deaf or hearing-impaired youth in Beijing’s lower-income rural areas for free. Through the program, they learn how to bake handmade snacks and develop important life skills. Through their growth, they become bakers, have a stable income, and support themselves and their future families.

Ways to volunteer:

• To volunteer for event organizations, teens can participate in the RAC Youth Volunteer Training Course. High schooler Helena 石榴, the youth ambassador, will be leading an upcoming training course on Jul 17, from 10am to 4pm.
• Teenagers can also volunteer at RAC charity activities, whether it be performing or assisting in reception and venue affairs.
• To volunteer at RAC charity sales, visit the RAC Nuanshan Life Store (咖啡屋暖山生活店).

Interest groups:

• Age: 10-18
• Event management
• Selling baked goods
• Performing

Contact information:

• Felicia Li, founder, owner, and teacher
  • Phone number: 13520366533
  • WeChat: Felicia1226
• Helena 石榴, youth ambassador, youth volunteer instructor
  • Phone number: 19901191006

Left: Youth ambassador Helena 石榴; Middle: RAC chefs; Right: Founder Felicia Li

World Origin • Youth Power

World Origin • Youth Power (WYOP) is a restorative force for the preservation and evolution of ethnic cultures, such as the last standing matriarchal society Mosuo, raising awareness through documentaries and direct grassroots aid. WOYP has organized multiple fundraising campaigns, which have brought in more than US 10,000 to date. At the age of 17, WYOP founder Vania 葡萄 was recognized at the 63rd UN Women’s Conference in 2019 as the youngest recipient of the Global Woman of Distinction Award and was honored with the Most Popular Vote and Bronze Prize at the China Intangible Inheritance NGO project competition. Vania aims to “race against time to slow down the extinction of inheritance of the world’s ethnic cultures and arts.”

Ways to volunteer:

• Summer-long fundraising event to purchase school and art supplies for schools in Mosuo, an ethnic minority group.
• Collecting books in your community for the upcoming book sale in August and Chinese children’s books for the Mosuo school.
• An upcoming event in August: Calling for teens interested in organizing events, performing (singing, dancing, etc.), art, helping at book sales.
• Creating videos to raise awareness.

Interest groups:

• Age: 14+ for event management
• Age: 8-18 for creating art, performing, and everything else

Contact information:

• Vania 葡萄
• Email: ahawacir@126.com
• www.vaniapt.com/world-origin

Left: Mosuo children; Right: Founding initiator Vania 葡萄

Roundabout

Roundabout, the first charity store in China, was founded in 2008. They support 48 charitable organizations across China, aiming to bridge the community and the cause. To raise funds, Roundabout sells donated items in their retail store, at charity events, and book fairs. All of the proceeds go towards covering the medical costs of low-income children and orphans, as well as providing shelter and necessities for older folks. Roundabout is known for its transparency, with all monetary donations and funds going directly to charities. As Roundabout is organized by a group of volunteers, there are always opportunities for teenagers to engage.

Ways to volunteer

• Sorting out donated items for the retail store and various outside events.
• Donating books, clothing, toys, furniture, household goods, etc.
• Cleaning and working at the Roundabout retail store.
• Helping at book fairs, charity activities, and events. Work entails book sorting, setting up, helping on the book fair day.

Interest groups:

• Age: 8-18
• Handling money
• Helping customers
• Selling items

Contact information:

• Maggie, volunteer coordinator
• Phone number and WeChat: 18510449951
• www.roundaboutchina.com/volunteers/

Roundabout book fair at Euro Plaza, Jun 5

The Voice of Love

Through charity concerts, teenagers utilize their voices to raise funds for schools in disadvantaged areas. Initiated by high schooler Apple Liang, the Voice of Love (VOL) focuses on art education and donating teaching materials. VOL provides children from poverty-stricken regions a stage to realize their musical dreams, supporting their growth and development.

Ways to volunteer:

• Performing at VOL’s charity concerts (upcoming: 2022).
• Helping at fundraising events.
• Working with students at VOL’s partnering schools (upcoming: August).

Contact information:

• Apple Liang 梁凯淇
• Phone number: 18801008576

KEEP READING: Stranded Nomad: Even More Volunteering Opportunities This Summer

Images: Helena 石榴, Vania 葡萄, Felicia Li, Apple Liang, Roundabout

For parents with children following the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, the Service and Action (SA) programme for middle school students, and the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) requirements for high school students, can sometimes seem to be a distraction from the more academic subjects. But putting equal effort into these projects can be hugely rewarding for more than just the grades.

On Saturday, February 25, a team of Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA) students, collaborating with friends at other international schools in Beijing, produced their very own fashion show. Recycled Fashion, named as such as all garments where created from recycled materials, was the culmination of months of hard work as part of BWYA’s CAS programme. As well as organizing an event and designing all the clothes which went down the catwalk, over 250 people attended the event, raising more than RMB 18,000 to help a village in China’s Qinghai Province, Sanjiangyuan Region, maintain a sustainable way of life via the Global Environment Institute China.

Members of the Sanjiangyuan community supported by Recycled Fashion fund raising

“The day of the show was both exciting and terrifying in equal parts,” says Charlotte Tian, a grade 11 student at BWYA who was Assistant Director of the event. “We had been planning the event for months, we knew the ticket sales had been good, and the clothes looked great, but there are always a few nerves for things like this.”

“The whole team really enjoyed rising to the challenge of putting an event like this together,” adds Kristina Zhang, also a Co-Director. “It’s amazing how many things you have to plan for, and although it was hard work, it was really satisfying to see everyone who came enjoying the show so much and we were able to raise a good amount of money for charity. It was really interesting to see how the money raised would help the charity. We really appreciate now how hard it can be to earn money and how its value means different things to different people.”

Kristina Zhang and Charlotte Tian, part of the Recycled Fashion team at BWYA

Tian and Zhang’s experience is fairly common for students who embrace the CAS or SA programmes just as they would any other part of their studies.

“We had a lot of support from the school and the local community, “ explains Sydney Liang, who also helped to organize the show. “We had to learn how to contact and deal with local businesses. We had to work on project management and communications skills, manage finances and ticket sales, and work with school administrators. “

“We picked up so many new skills that will help us when we go to university,” concludes Co-Director Dari Temutsilekhu.  “Time management was really important, as well as the social skills we needed to work with people outside of our school. We really enjoyed working together and I think the best part of the project has been knowing that we are working towards making a difference in someone’s life. This really motivated the team in creating the show, we tried our best to bring this show together. I learned so much throughout this project, and experienced so much, I think this experience will really help me in the future.”

CAS is one of the three essential elements that all IB Diploma students have to complete. Based on a set of learning outcomes, students have to come up with their own initiatives that offer something to their local community, as well as demonstrating their own creativity, perseverance and problem solving, collaboration and decision making skills.

Already this year, BWYA students have helped build desktop computers for migrant school children, renovated the facilities of a migrant school, developed public speaking and presentation training courses for fellow students, and helped countless charities in Beijing and beyond. Next up for the school is a charity rock concert taking place in April.

“CAS enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience,” says David Kelly, CAS Co-coordinator at BWYA. “The students have the chance to develop skills that they wouldn’t necessarily have in the classroom with projects that can be extremely self-rewarding and enjoyable. It can act as a nice break from the pressure and stress of studying. Plus, a lot of the skills they learn will benefit them in the future as adults, can help with their university applications, as well as benefiting those in our community that the project has been developed to help. It’s positive for everybody!”

You can find out more about BWYA’s CAS and SA programmes at www.ibwya.net and keep an eye on their news and blogs for stories about individual projects.

This post is sponsored by BWYA. 

Photos by BWYA