Two-Week Interim Service Project

Have a heart for serving children?

Want to be immersed in a local neighborhood, learn firsthand about China's challenging social and economic issues, and serve in a major city?

In between the Beijing and Shanghai programs, students participating in either or both programs are encouraged to enroll in the two-week Interim Service Project. This is an opportunity for students to participate in a guided service program at the Prince of Peace Children’s Home and Children Rehabilitation Center in Wuqing, Tianjin – about 85 miles southeast of Beijing.

The Children’s Home was built by the Prince of Peace Foundation and jointly managed by the local county government and World Vision China to serve orphaned children with disabilities. Currently, all 100 some children at the Home, ranging from six months to six years old, suffer from various conditions such as cerebral palsy, glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, Down Syndrome and albinism. Due to economic hardship and other circumstances, these children have been given up by their families.

World Vision staff on site will supervise the student volunteers. Opportunities will depend on the Children’s Home’s current needs. Depending on your skills and Chinese proficiency, you may work with English programs, art or music projects, operation assistance, and care for the children. The project experience will also include group discussion led by a PESi staff, guided exploration of the city’s neighborhoods and other field-learning opportunities.

If you wish to participate in the two-week service-learning project, please indicate this on your application. There is an additional $295 fee to cover local transportation, field trips, meals, etc. during the project. For students in the Fudan program, additional cost of travel between Shanghai and Tianjin is about $100 for a one-way flight or $200 for a round-trip.