Youth Culture & Service

GO: Youth Culture & Service Project

When will I go?  July 11 - 26, 2012

What is the purpose for this trip?  To give American youth the opportunity to witness their faith in Jesus Christ through service to our neighbors in China.  To give Chinese youth the opportunity to serve those in China's rural areas.  To experience the Church in China.  To build relationships and goodwill with the people of China.
 
What are the goals of this trip? To give American youth the understanding of mission work abroad.  To give American youth the opportunity to consider mission service as a vocation.

Where will we go? Beijing, Xi'an, and Nanchang, China

What will we do? Exact project activities are still being worked out, but may include painting a rural school, building relationships of goodwill, and working at an orphanage with Chinese high school students.

What will it cost?  Approximately $1250 (this does not include airfare to/from China, US Passport, or China visa).

Who do I contact? Steve Ray, Executive Director of chinaconnect by phone (253.851.7643) or email.

FAQs
What are the requirements?

Insurance: chinaconnect will provide evacuation insurance.  Volunteers must have their own medical insurance.

Vaccinations?  chinaconnect strongly encourages you to contact your family physician regarding which vaccinations you should have.  Information can be found on The Center for Disease Control's (CDC) website. 

What about passport and visa?  If you don't already have your passport, please apply for it immediately.  You will need a visa to enter China.  chinaconnect will let you know when and how to apply.

What is the cost and what does it cover?  $1250 covers to cost for fees, room, board, and transportation within China during the project.  Volunteers are responsible for their own airfare to/from China, US Passport, and China visa. 

What about food? We will eat in clean restaurants during the entire project.

What about housing?  Chaperones and students will stay in clean, air-conditioned and modest hotels or guest houses during the project.

Who much will we be able to serve?  Because "service" is a relatively new concept in China, our service will take shape in different ways.  The youth will work, but it isn't like your typical "Habitat for Humanity" build type of service.  Physical work will be done, but participants should also consider their "work" as learning about a new culture, getting to know youth from another country, building goodwill and trust, and learning about China's Christian history and present situation.  The youthconnect Culture and Service project will be physically, mentally, and spiritually exciting.

Important dates to remember:
April 15: Applications and fees are due at the chinaconnect office.
April 20: Apply for China Visa.  chinaconnect will send you instructions.