As a consequence of mass rural to urban migration, Beijing alone has 400,000 migrant children living in the city. There are currently around 450 schools for migrant children, of which many are not registered by the government and as such have very little resources and financial support.
The project supports three migrant schools in Beijing with corporate volunteers mentoring and sharing new experiences with school children aged between 12 and 16. The aim is to broaden the children’s experience and inspire them to work hard and seek a successful future career.
Christmas Party
Volunteer activities began with a special Christmas & 2010 New Year’s Party on 12 December 2010 at Chunlei Migrant Children School, Beijing. It involved 35 employee volunteers from Allen & Overy LLP and Huayuan Property supporting and entertaining 85 migrant children.
Conservation work
During March and April of 2011, a total of 75 employee volunteers from Allen & Overy, Aviva-Cofco and Huayuan Property participated in a day of tree planting.
Volunteers spent half a day with 84 migrant students from Dandelion Middle School together at the Elk Protection Park. Together they planted trees, learned about environmental issues and animal protection. The students had the unique opportunity to discuss aspects of their lives and study and work with a role model other than their teachers. In exchange, the volunteers had exposure to a completely different experience and learnt about the lives of migrant children.
Making cookies
21 May saw 32 volunteers from BAT China spend a day with 15 trainees with intellectual disabilities. During the activities, which included making soap and cookies, the volunteers helped the young adults to learn simple life skills and communication skills.
The trainees were from the not for profit organisation, ‘Intellectual Benefit Vocational Training Centre of Beijing Fengtai District’. The centre provides vocational training for the young adults and supports them into finding a job.
Inspiring career dreams
On 10 June 2011, 31 volunteers from Aviva-Cofco joined 55 grade 7 students from a migrant kids' school as part of Give & Gain Day, run by Business in the Community. They watched the movie, ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ together and then acted out different scenes. This was followed by time to discuss and share ideas about possible future careers. Finally, the children were each given copies of the Kazuo Inamori book ‘Your dream will come true without fail.’
Reading to kids
On 25 February, the activities of ENGAGE Beijing 2012 began. Fuping Development Institute organized an activity with over 20 employee volunteers from Microsoft. The volunteers went into Sunshine Kindergarten—a migrant kindergarten to read stories for pre-school children. Before the activity, volunteers were given training on reading skills by teachers from Qian qian shu Kindergarten. During the activity, volunteers told the children stories and played games with them. It was a fantastic day for the children.
Migrant students visit Microsoft
On 23 March 2012, Fuping Development Institute organized a migrant student to visit Microsoft. 40 employee volunteers from Microsoft showed 56 students from Xingzhi Migrant School around Microsoft office. Employee volunteers shared their experience about their job and life, encouraged students to talk about their dreams and let them experience new high technology, such as Kinect and Windows Phone. During the day, each student made several connections with employees who could help them and answer their questions.
Microsoft Volunteers in Qianqianshu
On 21 April 2012, 30 volunteers and their families from Microsoft came into Qianqianshu Children’s Home. Each volunteer donated 2 hours directly. In total, 60 hours were donated to help and serve 110 kids of Qianqianshu.
At the beginning, volunteers went into different classes and played with these kids. Then, they prepared all kinds of activities such as reading stories, songs, origami, coloring and painting and some games; they also planted flowers, painted walls and assembled table for the Children’s home.
Companies: Allen & Overy, Aviva-Cofco, BAT (working with adults with special needs), Citi, Huayuan Property, Linklaters and Microsoft.
To find out how your company can get involved in this project please contact Jenny Todd.
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