Our posts about the earthquake in China have gotten a lot of traffic over the past week. It seems as though people are genuinely interested in helping the victims of the earthquake in the Sichuan province, whether it's sending money, hosting displaced persons, or going to China to help rebuild.I have searched high and low, and have yet to find any specific volunteer trips to Chengdu or the surrounding areas, outside of trips undertaken by non-profits that do disaster relief. If you're a regular citizen who is not already a trained member of a group like Doctors without Borders, you may have to either wait for such trips to get organized, organize your own trip, or find other ways to help.
If you are bound and determined to travel to China to help with the rebuilding effort, I would suggest getting in touch with local organizations with ties to China. This includes various weekend Chinese schools, Chinese cultural associations, and Chinese media outlets. Some of the groups I found include:
- Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association
- Chung Wah Academy of New England
- China Tomorrow Education Foundation - Builds schools in rural China to ensure education for all
- Alpha Communities - Works with people and communities to realize potential, initiate change, and create opportunities in rural China and Mongolia
Don't forget - there is always the option of doing it yourself. You can make a difference. Just start making the phone calls, doing the research, getting the answers. S/he who is determined will not fail.
The conditions in China are not getting better. Dozens of large dams are threatening to collapse, which would cause floods and even more damage. Please, do your part - help the survivors of this tragedy.
Related Posts: Earthquake in China; Global Volunteering; How you can help with a mullet; Tornadoes, Cyclones, and Disaster Relief - Oh My!; Myanmar cyclones and what you can do to help; Food Crisis - Get on the Seoul Train
Photos courtesy of this Chinese web forum.
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8 comments:
Hello,
I'm working with a group of great people who wanted to help make a difference.
Right now they're trying to raise funds to rebuild a school in the Provence. Because so many have already been donating money and blood to organizations like the Red Cross, these folks are wondering about what happens after the debris is cleared.
They're trying to exercise their existing ties in their Chinese communities to do this, so it's honestly a grassroots effort.
I would love to talk to you more. Could you email me at troy (at) wetpaint (dot) com?
Thank you!
Hello, my name is Rafael Rivera, I am going on a trip to Hong Kong and wish to help in the disaster areas. I will be available in June 7th until July. If anybody has information on organizations that are currently or planning on helping please contact me at rafarrivera@hotmail.com
Hello,
I am Divyesh Patel from INDIA.I am Free till 21st June,2008.So,I am Intersted to Help in Earthquake (CHINA).So,Any requirement of Volunteer then Please Inform Me.
My E-mail Id:- divyesh3@gmail.com
Thankyou
My name is Xing. I have a trip planned to china for the entire month of July, and I would greatly appreciate if you could notify me of any volunteer activities I could do for earthquake relief.
xingz999@yahoo.com
I am interested in traveling to China to volunteer in the earthquake relief efforts. Can you tell me the non-profits you alluded to sending volunteers into China? Thanks, email at gros0287@umn.edu.
hello
my name is alok....i am an engineering student in nanjing from nepal and i am free from 10 july to 20 august and interested to volunteer during this time in the earthquake relief effort......give me a chance to serve
atm_gtm@yahoo.com
Dear sir,
i am jeevan,i am an aeronautical engineering student of NANJING UNIVERSITY OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS(NUAA). i am from nepal,i am free due to the summer vaccation,i am willing to volunter in this free time,i would be greatful if i get a chance to volunter and serve people.
my email address :
mantra_lee@yahoo.com
god.on.hell@hotmail.com
I'm an international student at Tsinghua University, and I've interest in volunteering during the national day holiday in October (2008). Please email me with any leads (dvanslett@yahoo.com). Perhaps I would be able to bring other students as well. Thanks!
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