Reading Young Volunteers
On the annual International Volunteers Day, the world acknowledges the work of millions of people who give their time to help others. Many of those who do voluntary work are young people, and the numbers are growing. Around 24,000 Young Volunteers Community Service Stations in China are welcoming increasing numbers of Chinese youth who want to make a contribution to society, and the work they are doing is important. As Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations said "... each contribution -- no matter how small -- can help make a difference." Lu Hao, Lin Ying and Meng Yu are just three of the 13.5 million young Chinese who are making a difference, and they are also discovering that being a volunteer brings many personal benefits.

Lu Hao is a middle school student in Guizhou, who joined the "1 helps 1" scheme of the Youth Volunteer Community Development Project last year. Every Tuesday and Friday he visits an elderly gentleman who lives alone. "Mr Zhao is weak and cannot do much for himself without getting breathless and dizzy, so I give him some assistance. I help with shopping, do jobs in the house, or read the newspaper to him as his eyesight is not good. But mostly we just drink tea and chat. He cannot get out to see his friends any more, so he enjoys having company." Since Lu Hao began his twice weekly visits, Mr Zhao's health has improved, and he feels more energetic and optimistic. Lu Hao has also found their relationship beneficial. Previously history was his weakest subject, but it is one which greatly interests Mr Zhao and they often discuss it. Mr Zhao's enthusiasm has inspired Lu Hao to concentrate more on history lessons and his grades have improved a great deal.

When Lin Ying graduated from Zhengzhou Normal University, she decided not to apply for a job straight away. Instead she joined the Go West Project organized by the Communist Youth League of China.

Now she is spending a year in a remote part of southwest China working as a volunteer teacher in a village school. "The people here are poor, but they have big hearts and make me feel very welcome. I am hoping to improve the standard of education in the school by introducing the modem teaching methods used in the east. It is hard work, but I get a lot of satisfaction because the kids are eager to learn. It is amazing to see how quickly they improve. I really feel I am doing something worthwhile and I am having a great time doing it." Lin Ying and the other volunteer teachers in rural areas have helped to achieve astonishing results. In one school the pass rate for the national exams rose from 25% to 75% in just one year. Education is essential to poverty relief, so Lin Ying's work is making a big difference to the children's future. At the same time she is acquiring valuable skills and experience for her own career. Voluntary work often opens up opportunities for young people because employers and education leaders know that it builds confidence, self-awareness, good communication skills and leadership ability.

Meng Yu is studying for her master's degree in Canada. She has a busy timetable, but still finds time for voluntary activities during the weekends. "Last month I took part in an event to help starving children in some of the least developed countries. Twenty-two of us went without food for 30 hours! It was a challenge, but we could drink as much as we liked and we had a doctor there, so it was not dangerous. We wanted to promote awareness of hunger because every day children are dying of starvation. It was a great success. The local newspaper and TV reported it and we received many donations." Meng Yu and her classmates organised this activity to raise money for a good cause, and in the process she formed strong friendships. "Coming to another country to study requires a big adjustment arid it takes a while to fit in. I used to feel lonely and homesick at times, but doing this with the other students brought us really close and I made new friends from different backgrounds. I also feel more positive. In the past I often felt I could not handle the pressure 0f studying, but this experience made me realise how lucky I am to have enough food and a chance to get a good education. It has given me the motivation to succeed."

Lu Hao, Lin Ying and Meng Yu are all helping to make other people's lives better, and have found their own lives enriched as a consequence. By serving their local or national community, or an international project, youth volunteers become confident and mature. They also make great friends, gain new skills and increase their chances of getting the job of their dreams. Would you like to make a difference by becoming a volunteer?
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