Where we do it > China

Facts & Figures Population: 1.3 billion Capital city: Beijing GDP per capita: $6,757 HDI ranking: 81 out of 177 countries * Life expectancy: 73

Country background

VSO has been working in China since 1981 and the current focus of our work there is in Education, HIV & AIDS, and supporting the development of national volunteering programmes.

Education

In rural western China the quality of education and teaching remains poor and outdated and this is made worse by the fact that many qualified teachers seek jobs in the wealthier cities. Although a new national curriculum places greater attention on using teaching styles and resources that are more active and vibrant, rather the traditional method of memorisation, rural teachers have not been trained to adapt their teaching style and the examination systems haven’t caught up with the curriculum reforms.

VSO volunteers are working improve opportunities for learning through basic education for disadvantaged girls and boys in three selected prefectures of Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. They are placed in advisory and training roles, as school management advisers, English and science education advisors and child psychologists, with the aim of strengthening teachers' professional development, improving systems of school management and increasing the level of community participation in education services.

HIV and AIDS

Poor areas are becoming more vulnerable to the risks of HIV and AIDS because of a lack of access to education and information. The national curriculum states that HIV and AIDS education in schools and colleges is compulsory but many teachers do not have a way to access information needed for these classes. VSO volunteers working in education include awareness training alongside their teacher training activity, whilst other volunteers are working with local organisations to improve awareness about safe sex practices and the level of counseling and support offered to people living with HIV and AIDS.

National volunteering

VSO is also developing a national volunteering programme which aims to promote volunteering as a form of active citizenship—in line with the Chinese government’s call to build a ‘harmonious society’—as well as an effective way of reducing poverty and disadvantage in China. Recognizing VSO’s strength and practical experience in volunteer management and its advantage in international network and linkages, VSO China therefore works with national partners in support of the development of volunteering to fight against poverty and disadvantage in China, mainly through capacity- building and awareness-raising activities.