April 2008
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the New Hope Foundation. We value your participation and hope that this experience will be a valuable one for all concerned. We have some guidelines which are intended to give you some idea of what is expected of you and what you can expect of us; to give you information about your stay here and to allow for the smooth running of this home. Please read these guidelines carefully as we expect you to abide by them during your stay with us.
Please note: If you plan to be with us for less than 1 month then you will classified as a “Short-term visitor” and will be ask to make a donation for your accommodation while at the home.
These guidelines are subject to change without notice.
| • | An attitude of being a “willing servant” will be much appreciated. We are all here in this role as servants and we are here to help the children to the very best of our abilities. |
| • | It is highly essential that our work here be very low-key. Please comply strictly with the following guidelines as to what you can or cannot do during your stay, so that our work will not be jeopardized. |
| • | After you arrive, there will be a period of adjustment during which you will be assessed as to your suitability of working with our organization. If for any reason you are found to be unsuitable, you will be asked to leave and you will not be compensated financially for any expenses you have incurred. |
| • | Proven cases of theft, illicit drug use, immoral behavior, physical or emotional abuse of a child or staff member will result in instant dismissal. |
| • | Distributing religious literature is against the law. Meetings with local people for religious purposes are forbidden. Any breach of this rule will jeopardize the safety of both the foreigners and locals here. Please take this as a serious warning as it affects the lives of all of us. If found doing this, you will be dismissed immediately. |
| • | Please treat all staff with respect. If you are concerned about anything that you see, please advise the Director immediately. We certainly appreciate your comments and suggestions that could improve the way we run our organization but please do not try to correct the local staff yourselves as this may cause confusion. They have been trained to care for the children according to our policies and there may be cultural issues that may not be clear to you. |
| • | Volunteer work here cannot be seen as a “mentorship” program, community service hours, or in any way to assist you towards higher academic goals. We are looking for people who have the children’s welfare as their top priority, those who are willing to “give” to the children with no expectations of reward other than the valuable life lessons they take with them from being with the children. |
| • | Volunteers are expected to take instructions from the leadership of New Hope Foundation. |
| • | You will be assigned duties and posted to different units according to your skills and the current needs. |
| • | Your duties and assignments may vary greatly. Be prepared to be flexible and do your best in sometimes difficult and unfamiliar situations. |
| • | In some units you will not be permitted to feed, bathe or change the young babies as these are the nannies’ duties. They are the “mothers” of these children and it is very important for the wellbeing of the babies that the nannies take full responsibility of their own children. You may be able to help feed the older children (above 2 years) if they are familiar with you. |
| • | If you are ill, please do not interact with the babies as even minor infections can spread rapidly through the children. Frequent hand washing is mandatory in all our units. |
| • | Your working hours will vary greatly depending on your assignments and postings. Be prepared to work long hours if necessary. You will have time to shop and sightsee while off duty. |
| • | It is mandatory that you come with heath insurance at your own cost that will allow you to be evacuated to the nearest Western hospital if the need arises. |
| • | If you are on any long-term medications you must bring you own supplies with you. |
| • | If you suffer from any on-going medical problems please state this clearly on your application form. |
| • | Mandarin is spoken in mainland China. It would be helpful but not essential for you to have this skill. It is essential that you are fluent in English. |
| • | Volunteers coming from overseas should apply for a tourist visa from the Chinese Embassy closest to you. You will be responsible for the costs involved. |
| • | You are expected to arrange for and cover the cost of travel between your home country and Beijing. |
| • | We will not be responsible for any costs involved in changing your flights should you choose to or if you are asked to leave earlier than you expected. We will be responsible for the cost of changing your flights if you are agreeable to stay on longer to care for a child. |
| • | Transport within the country, usually by train, for the purpose of carrying out your duties will be covered by New Hope Foundation. |
| • | After your arrival in China, flights to other countries for the purpose of carrying out your duties, such as taking a child for surgery, will be covered by New Hope Foundation. |
| • | The same Chinese food provided for our Chinese staff will be available to you 3 meals a day. |
| • | Expect to buy and pay for some of your meals. |
| • | You will have limited facilities to cook your own meals if you wish to purchase your own supplies. |
| • | Lodging is limited and is provided free for volunteers coming for more than 1 month after acceptance of their applications. |
| • | Please keep your rooms tidy and be considerate as you will most likely be sharing with other volunteers. |
| • | “Short-term visitors” volunteers coming for less than 1 month will be expected to donate US$30 per day per person for food, accommodation and transport while with us in Beijing. Larger groups up to 20 persons can be accommodated our Yurt in the Beijing unit. There are no facilities to accommodate large groups in the other units. |
| • | We suggest that you bring about US$300 per month for you own personal expenses. |
| • | Credit cards and Travelers checks are not easy to use in China. |
| • | Bedding and towels will be provided. |
| • | You will have facilities to do your own laundry. Please purchase or bring your own detergent. |
| • | You will be responsible for taking care of your own valuables. |
| • | Do not leave cell phones, cameras, watches and other precious items around. Safes are available for you to keep you valuables. Ask your leaders. |
| • | You will not be able to make police reports for lost items to claim on your insurance. |
| • | A certain level of behavior is expected of you while you are with us so that we do not offend the local people. You will be representing all the foreigners here as well as your home country. (No smoking, no alcohol, no bad language, decent dress code.) |
| • | Please do not go into the village/town in large groups and do not videotape or take photos of the village/town and its people without their permission. |
| • | For your own safety, when leaving the units to shop or sight-see, please let the leaders know where you are going and what time you will be expected back. |
| • | Depending on where you are posted, your personal guests are welcome to visit you. |
| • | Please ask permission before you invite them. |
| • | You will be responsible for all expenses incurred by your guests. |
| • | Accommodation may not be available if they wish to stay overnight. |
| • | They will be bound by the same rules of behavior expected of you. |
| • | Please use our computers after working hours only. |
| • | Limit your time on the computers to be considerate to other volunteers who also want to use them. |
| • | Please do not download software. If you download programs like MSN or Yahoo Messenger, please delete at the end of your stay. |
| • | When writing blogs, please, under no circumstances, mention the name of our organization, Chinese names of the babies or which orphanages they come from. We except you to be respectful of the Chinese government and not write about any personal negative feelings or observations about the way orphans are cared for in this country. What you see may only be a small part of the whole situation and you may not realize how many very positive changes have been made to better the lives of orphans in this country. |
| • | Please ask permission before widely distributing any photos you have taken of our staff and children while volunteering with us. |
| New Hope Foundation | |
| 97 Center Street |
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| Guo Jia Wu Village |
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| Bei Wu Township |
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| Shun Yi District |
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| Beijing 101300 |
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| People’s Republic of China |
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| Phone: 86-10-6142 4156 |
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| Fax: 86-10-6142 4196 |
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| Email: joyce@hopefosterhome.com |
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| For directions in Chinese phone: | 139 1052 0020 (Li Meng); or |
| 136 5122 0358 (Zhao Hai Long) | |