Volunteering in China
COCOA's projects in China welcome volunteers who can offer their time either long-term or short-term. Volunteers with medical skills are particularly sought after but non-medical volunteers who are prepared to carry out a variety of tasks are also welcome. Volunteers may be handymen of all varieties, decorators, needlewomen, accountants, artists... some find themselves at the top of a ladder decorating a baby room, others go on a plane or train taking a baby to another city for surgery.
You must be able to support yourself financially and take into account the following costs (this list is not necessarily exclusive)
- return travel from your home country to the project
- accommodation which may or not be supplied within the project
- visas - see website of your nearest Chinese Embassy for current rates and requirements. You will need to check with your project leader which type of visa you require
- travel insurance - if you become seriously ill or injured you may need to be taken out of the country so make sure that it covers evacuation to the nearest Western medical facility
- immunisations - check with your doctor which are currently required
- cost of your own food
You will need to apply for a CRB check or equivalent.
Another way to help if you are visiting China for business or on holiday is to offer to transport items when you travel. You will not be asked to transport any prohibited items or anything wrapped and therefore unidentifiable. You will be met at the airport to collect the items. Please contact us if you are visiting China and would be prepared to help in this way.
Please contact the office if you are interested in volunteering in China and we will endeavour to put you in contact with a project which can use your services.
For further information and support on volunteering in the UK please contact your local Volunteer Centre which can usually be found via your local council.
Below are links to two of our projects to which you can apply directly.
The Butterfly Home welcomes general, medical and courier volunteers.
Please see www.butterflych.org/volunteering for details of volunteering and how to apply or e-mail info@butterflych.org
The Butterfly Home also welcomes donations of the following items. If you have them to donate please contact info@butterflych.organd we will advise you on how to get them to us in China.
GENERAL NEEDS
bath chairs/seats
double buggy/pushchairs/strollers
Bumbo seats
premature baby clothes
preemie nappies
wall units for hand antiseptic
PAEDIATRIC AND OTHER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
otoscope/auriscope
stethoscopes
ophthalmoscope
oxygen saturation monitors
suction machine
Nasogastric tubes
paediatric colostomy bags
paediatric oxygen masks & tubing
scissors and other instruments
hand antiseptic
dressings/tapes/dressing packs
Vitamin drops (not tablets) - with or without iron
Lactulose
Conforming cotton bandages
Lubricating jelly
Gel cap
OTHER
paediatric text books
Milk powder for premature babies
Sterilising tables (eg Milton)
China Teams
Our China Teams provide an opportunity for you to participate. Most teams last for 17 days, beginning and ending in Hong Kong or Beijing. Our team leaders join each group at the start point and provide support for the duration. After an initial orientation time, teams travel into mainland China and are based at one of our projects, allowing the team to work directly with China’s abandoned and disabled.
Short Term (3-12mths) and Long Term (>12mths)
We particularly welcome applicants with qualifications in nursing, therapy disciplines, special education and management. But if you are a generalist with a degree in “hugs” and a call to work in China, then we would love to hear from you to. No matter what your skills, we will consider your application.
E-mail personnel@chinaconcern.org for more information about these opportunities.