Liao Jiatao, a 20-year-old college student from Quzhou, Zhejiang province, spent her last summer holiday volunteering at an orphanage in Tanzania.
Last summer, inspired by an online article about volunteer opportunities abroad, Liao came across an international volunteer organization and applied for a stint in Tanzania. After convincing her parents to support the trip and making five flight transfers, Liao finally arrived in Tanzania after 20 hours of travel. Each day that she was there, Liao instructed orphans in English, physics and sports.
The orphanage at which Liao volunteered is responsible for 47 children, aged 3 to 13. Though the director of the orphanage is a kind man who was an orphan himself, the accommodations and overall environment are far from ideal for children. Liao therefore raised over 30,000 RMB through online crowdfunding, which she used to buy equipment for the orphans, including a computer, TV, printer, two solar cells and two first aid kits.
As for her own experience, Liao said it brought her happiness and she will look for more such opportunities in the future.