Zhang Hairong (front, second from right) and her volunteers took a group of Wuxi expats to pick its famous peaches. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
I recently got to meet Zhang Hairong, who runs a really cool volunteer center in Wuxi. She told me all about how it started from just a small group of Korean housewives sharing tea and talking about Chinese culture. Now, thanks to the local government, it's grown into a big center with a lot going on.
Zhang lived abroad for more than 20 years and speaks Korean fluently. When she came back to Wuxi, she wanted to help Korean expats feel more at home. So, she started teaching them about Chinese culture and language. The government liked what she was doing and even gave her a building to hold classes.
Now, people from over 30 countries come to learn all sorts of things at the Pioneers Public Welfare Cultural Volunteer Service Center. The classes are top-notch, like tai chi with real Shaolin monks, boxing with national champions, and modeling with former models. They also encourage students to teach others about things they love.
The volunteer team is huge, with almost 300 foreign volunteers and 500 local students. They speak many languages and help out at big events. But to join, those applying have to prove they really want to help others and not just to learn English.
The volunteer center holds a free tai chi class. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
The center does a lot to promote Chinese culture and help people connect. They offer free Chinese classes and cultural experiences for foreigners living in Wuxi, not to mention help with daily life. "If you have any problems with translations, any problems with things like visas, or any problems with things you need help setting up, just call us, and we'll go there and help you," Zhang tells me. They also support special groups like the elderly and kids with fun activities.
In the past two years, they've held nearly a thousand events, making Wuxi a friendlier place for everyone. They're always looking for new ways to grow, like using artificial intelligence to make things run better.
Collin Obed from Tanzania says, "Hairong is an opportunity giver with a heart-warming personality. She has given (and still is) chances to me and many of my friends to explore and indulge in several activities that has taught me about the Chinese culture and given me the experience of volunteering."
Overall, it's all about bringing people together and sharing the beauty of Chinese culture. I'm really impressed with what Zhang and her team have done, and I can't wait to see what they do next!
