Activities Albu

Welcome to the Activities Photo Album. Over the past few years, 'Enjoying English' has been proud to have taken part in a range of activities throughout China. They include projects in colleges, universities, working with schools in rural areas and economically deprived areas of cities. We have also teamed-up with national and international business, the Government Youth Initiative for the Countryside, and with 'Ai-fly' in Beijing for the Olymypic Volunteer's Training Programme.

The opportunities for us have been many and varied; being a mixture interesting, rewarding and eye-opening experiences. Below are a sample of photographs which record a small part of some of the work we have done in a number of communities. For us it remains..

Always a pleasure... never a chore!'

alan_with_psb

June ~ December, 2005. PSB Shijiazhuang - working with the Chief of PSB (Public Security Bureau - Police) and Immigration Officers on a voluntary basis. When I first arrived in Sjz-, there were only a handful of foreigners in the city. Due to vigorous expansion and development of the city, in a very short time, the number had increased to several thousand.

With 'Ai-fly' Beijing Olympics & Paralympics Volunteers Training Programme

We were surprised, flattered and deeply honoured to join Yang Li and his team and be part of the Olympic Volunteer Programme in the run up to 2008.08.08. This was a week long series of training sessions in January, just before the snow which caused a National Emergency throughout the country.

Our group of medical professionals included nurses, doctors and surgeons, who were a delight to work with, and very capable.

This was just one of the many training programmes we have undertaken over the past few years in the Public and Private Sectors. All have been enlightening and successful, enabling us to improve our standards and planning for future undertakings.

This was one of many trips away from our base with college or university students. They are busy, but fun. This one studied geography and biology in the beautiful mountains to the north-west of Chengde. Both were my main interest of study before I began m teacher-training in the late 1960's. We were with students for almost a week.

The Young Leaders Programme was initiated by Central Government in south-west China in 2003.

This programme was organised by students from Tianjin University, centred on a village an hours bus ride east of Shijiazhuang - Hebei Province. To Wang Bo and myself initiatives which improve opportunities for students in the countryside are a high priority.

Local and provincial governments are often reluctant to allow foreigners access to unlicensed rural schools, for reasons only they know. However, it is my belief, that for improvements to be made, and for young people to be able to develop for their own and the Country's benefit, it is necessary to encourage people who are able and willing to use their skills and experience for the benefit of the development of those communities.

The impact which such programmes have, is astonishing. Students are enthusiastic, and teachers receive an enormous boost to their moral and confidence. The impact of such programmes far out-weighs the small costs of the promotions, and is remembered long after the visitors leave.