CAI- China Empowering Migrant Children

  China

• Beijing: 
Beijing
• Shanghai: 
Shanghai

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
Dates: varying

Description: Promise Foundation works to transforms the lives of children living in poverty in China through its key program, CAI. CAI is a grassroots program aimed at enriching migrant children's lives through creative arts and soccer programs in China. At CAI, we strongly believe that engaging children through art and soccer is a fun and effective way to build the children's sense of self-worth and self-confidence and teach them new forms of expression.

There are currently an estimated 150 million migrant laborers moving from the rural countryside into the major cities of China. These migrant laborers face a choice, either uproot their entire family or leave behind their children, and sometimes their spouse, in search of livelihood in the cities. Our project focuses on the impact such a move has on the children, those who migrate with their parents and those who remain "left behind" in the villages. These two groups of children are especially vulnerable to low self-esteem, low self-image and delinquency.

Migrant children are more likely to suffer from low self-image, lower achievement, and higher delinquency rates. Creative arts help develop essential communication skills, as the children learn to express themselves through their creations. Studies show that arts also raise self-confidence and build effective problem-solving skills. The arts also instill values, personal and social, as historically they have formed a medium of expression of the self and one's reflection on society. Thus, art education can give these children a voice, and potentially a voice for change.

Highlights: We are currently seeking volunteers and interns who enjoy working with elementary age children for both our arts and soccer programs.

We need dedicated individuals who will provide one afternoon a week to teach art classes to children during the school-year. We will also hold a summer camp and volunteers are welcome to apply for that as well. We also need volunteers who have a passion for sports, particularly soccer, to work with young girls.

If you want to volunteer with us but do not wish to teach, we want to hear from you as well.

Qualifications: Interest in Children, Arts, and Soccer.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to China Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Resume

Promise Foundation Inc.'s Mission Statement: CAI is a program based in Beijing, China that aims at empowering and enriching the lives of underprivileged children through education, as well as arts and sports programs. Our mission is to instill four key values in these children - Confidence, Commitment, Courage, and Care.

Year Founded: 2007