Gap Year Expeditions, Global Volunteering & Conservation Projects – Greenforce

Highlights

Much of your time is spent in the heartland of China in the Fengyan village and the majestic Yangshao town.

The first week is a great introduction and includes day trips to ancient temples, ruins and nearby towns. You will then learn some customs and language lessons.

The following week will include a visit to the Yinzi Caves, peach blossoms and the ancient city of Daxo.

The third week is perhaps the most extraordinary of all, as you trek high into the Dali Mountains and stay at a traditional temple there. As if you needed more encouragement, the final week is entitled ‘Village Experience'’and involves community work in the Fengyan Village and surrounding areas. The magic of China will surround you.

Essentials

What will I achieve?

• You will have the chance to see some the world’s most amazing scenery, and experience a rich and ancient culture.
• You will have the possibility to network with teachers and see what life is like on the other side of the world.
• You will set your CV apart from the rest, through gaining skills and experiences which look favourable to employers.
• You will be having a massive impact on the local community and really make a positive difference.

Where will I live?

In all project areas, volunteers are accommodated in comfortable, safe and supported facilities. Accommodations are structured around one central camp location, where volunteers meet to hold meetings, socialize, dine, and prepare resources and activities for project work. This setting allows participants to freely interact with other like-minded international people and to secure privacy and comfort. Volunteers are encouraged to be model citizens outside the camp, sensitive to cultural differences, but then to return inside and enjoy their freedom and personal space.

Money

• The currency is Yuan. The best way to carry your money is to split it between separate payment methods, e.g. cash, card and traveller’s cheques. Never carry a lot of cash as you can always get more out at a cash point or exchange money in all the major banks and hotels and large towns.
• Most credit cards are accepted in China.
• Your money will be spent covering your ground costs e.g. food and accommodation. Any money left over will be put back into Greenforce Projects.
Country facts
• China is the world fourth largest country in terms of land mass, but has the world’s largest population with 1.6 billion people.
• The Chinese language does not have an alphabet, but over 40,000 characters each of which would need to be memorised.

Eligibility

• The trip is open to all nationalities.
• The minimum age for this trip is 17; there is no maximum. China programmes consist of individuals from a diverse range of ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Everyone is welcome!

What's included?

• A Meet Your Team briefing day and BBQ in central London.
• Being met at the airport by a Greenforce staff member then dropped off to your hotel.
• Comprehensive orientation period, including guest speakers and presentations by trained professionals, covering China’s culture, history, and language.
• All transfers/ transport to project locations and overnight journeys.
• All accommodation and meals.
• Assistance in setting up local support for the volunteers’ activities in coordination with the local NGOs.
• On site assistance and all materials for the activities.

Points to note:
• On receipt of deposit, you’ll receive a Welcome e-mail with access to your personal page.
• We provide helpful advice on flights, insurance and more.
• A staff member is in China all year round.

Country Information

• China is the world fourth largest country in terms of land mass, but has the world’s largest population with 1.6 billion people.
• The Chinese language does not have an alphabet, but over 40,000 characters each of which would need to be memorised.

Maps

Itinerary

Week 1: Introduction Week

Based in Fengeyn village this week will give you an overall introduction to Chinese customs and culture.

You learn how to buy, prepare and cook your own Chinese meals, maybe a bicycle tour to remote villages, and maybe visits to ancient temples.

Week 2:Culture Week

Based in the elegant town of Yangshuo we explore Fuli Culture Streer, Cave of Yinzi, and head over to the 2,000 year old preserved city of Daxu. There is just too much to list here!

Week 3: Choose Between:

Teaching Week

You will be teaching English at a kindergarten or school for underprivileged children and help with the daily educational and fun activities. You stay with local families, an amazing opportunity to immerse into the Chinese culture and way of life.

Trek Week

From the lake village of Shaung Lang, to the Shang Qing village in Bin Chaun up to over3,200m of Chicken Foot Mountain. You will defiantly be fit when you finish!

Week 4: Village Experience

Volunteering options include:

A. Teaching in the villages or surrounding small towns (All year round, always available)

B. Farming in the forest of fruit trees (Seasonal, October - December )

C.  Environmental awareness, cleaning and sustainable environmental projects (Variable, numbers dependent)

The teaching is meant to help children in the villages/towns to have a chance to speak more English; farming will give you an insight into the local lifestyle, the nature and really help the local community; partaking environmental cleaning and protection activities will awaken and enhance the villagers’ consciousness and sense of responsibility of protecting the environment and improve their local surrounding.

Farming: The harvest season of pomelo, tangerine, and persimmon is October and November and this is the best time to enjoy it. You can help the villagers to pick up fruits from the trees and help them to pack it. In December you can help the farmers to take care of the fruit trees, for example, to cut the extra branches or pack the oranges, etc

Enviroment:

Participate in protecting the village environment. We plan to

1. To build several landfill pond by cement to collect rubbish in order to help the villagers to build up the sense of protecting environment.

2. To clean the village river by collecting the rubbish in the water.

3. To clean the main street of the village and the town with Chinese Volunteers

4. To disseminate handout to promote the public sense of protecting environment

5.To plant trees to protect environment, especially in the spring, to protect the drinking water of the village. (Seasoning)

6. To repair the road by putting some stone and sand.

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