China, like many other countries in the world, has a history of feudalism, powerful
landholder families dominating and directing peasant farmers. This, of course, has
been followed by communism, a centrally directed government, run by a committee
of powerful people. Although there were communes, where one would think an ethic
of support for others would develop, in reality, there was mostly a consciousness
for survival of the family. During the past 50 years, it has been said that “volunteerism”
in China is synonymous with forced participation for no pay. It is in this climate,
that the Center for Intercultural Education began to set up a structure of volunteer
programs for university students in Kunming, China.
Over the past several years, students have volunteered to work with existing International
organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, World Vision, and Save the Children,
as well as to develop their own projects. Today, hundreds of students a year participate
in projects of their own design with more projects being developed each year. The
projects are run completely by a student volunteer team (named Exidea), with financial
and development support from the Center.
