This year's Volunteer for West China project has been launched
in Beijing. College students around the country are encouraged to
go to the vast west region and help local people in fields of
education, agriculture and medical treatment.
Since 2003, the project has attracted more than 30, 000 college
graduates to voluntarily work in the west region for one to two
years.
One of the organizers, Wang Xuefeng from the Youth League of
China, says the project has promoted the local economy and social
development.
"Those college volunteers have brought real benefits for local
people. Some of them go to the most poverty-stricken areas to teach
local children, some help farmers with advanced agricultural
technology and some set up medical teams to treat poor
patients."
He says at the same time by working at the grass-roots, the
students can enrich their life experiences, improve personal
capability and have a better understanding about China's national
condition.
Twenty-four-year-old Liu Yong became a volunteer after
graduating from university in central China's Hubei Province two
years ago.
He went to a rural county in Chongqing Municipality
in southwest China.
Working with other volunteers for one year, Liu Yong helped
local farmers build a 600-hectare experimental base for cultivating
new rapeseed.
Liu Yong says he gained a lot in his time as a volunteer in the
western region.
"During the past year, I have used the knowledge I learned at
school into practice and contributed to the west development. I'm
so happy to see that my efforts have brought benefits for local
people."
The west volunteer project also serves as a good solution for
college graduate employment.
One third of the volunteers decided to continue to work in the
west region after the two year service period.
The project plans to attract 8,000 college students nationwide
this year.
(CRI April 20, 2005)