Detours Abroad: Projects in China

  China

• All Other Areas in China: 
Lijiang
• Rural Areas: 
Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: Teaching English

Volunteers teach English at local schools and live with families in the communities of south west China. The schools are generally primary schools where students have little English and few educational resources. Volunteers can also pitch in with the Tibetan community and learn about their farming activities.

You may be placed in either Lijiang, a beautiful old town in Yunnan Province, or Zhongdian (Gyalthang), a Tibetan town near the border with Tibet. If you are in Lijiang, you may live in a guesthouse in the village of Bai Sha and teach locally or stay in Shuhe and teach at a nearby village primary school. The students are the children of local farmers and the schools have very limited resources. They are appreciative of volunteers who are able to assist in teaching skills such as English, maths, science and games.

Highlights: Southwest China, or more specifically, Yunnan Province, remains distant from the major development occurring elsewhere in China, therefore retaining its unique character within this massive country. It is a province where ethnic minority tribes still flourish, living a traditional way of life as they have done for centuries.

Lijiang and Zhongdian are not far from the Tibetan border and have strong ethnic communities including Naxi and Bai, as well as Tibetan and Kham people. We work closely with local communities to provide support for village schools and the Tibetan community itself, members of which speak the local dialect, Khamkey. Local schools are in need of assistants from volunteers who speak English and are willing to live with local families.

Temperatures at night will drop below zero during winter months (December to February) but the region remains temperate during the months of May, June and July.

Nearby places of interest include Dali, Dequin and Xishuangbanna, all of which can be reached by road within a few hours from Lijiang and Zhongdian. Great trekking opportunities exist around these towns with spectacular mountains and lake scenery.

Qualifications: Any special skills you have will be gladly received. It is essential to bring enthusiasm and an open mind. Bring a smile, commitment and a desire to meet the local people. The key to a successful volunteer experience is a desire to be involved.

Cost in US$: From $1850 for 4 weeks

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to China Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Detours Abroad's Mission Statement: Detours Abroad brings people and communities together by allowing travellers to immerse themselves in local communities where in turn they make a contribution through volunteering their services. Detours Abroad organises volunteer placements from 2-12 weeks in a variety of developing countries. These include Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Borneo, China, Peru and Ecuador. Volunteers assist in three areas - education, health and administration, community services including construction, care work and community development.

Year Founded: 1996