Opportunities in Sydney
There are some roles where you as a volunteer might be able to really help us. These are predominatnly in Sydney.
For instance our in China team make trips out to visit the children and then send back to us all their pictures from the trip. We'd love to be able to keep our resources more organised, updating pictures of each child in our database, keeping sponsors up to date with a picture from time to time. We use Photoshop to edit photos so if you know the program you might be able to assist with this. Contact us if you would like to talk more about this.
What does volunteering in Doves Wings look like and what are the expectations of volunteers.
Doves Wings apartments have approximately 6 babies. These children have come from local orphanages and are in our care till they are matched for adoption. The apartments are in multi story buildings and staffed with local Chinese ayi’s (child carers).
For the best care of the children the ayi's are their primary care givers however as a volunteer your general role would be working alongside the ayi’s to assist with daily needs. There may be activities such as particular exercise programs etc. which you would be asked to assist the children in.
Before your application is approved each volunteer needs to sight our child protection policy and sign our child protection declaration forms. These will be sent to you in advance. These can be scanned and emailed to our Sydney office and need to be received with your application forms at least 8 weeks before your visit. We will normally be able to give you approval within 2 weeks of your forms being returned.
We will try to arrange accommodation for you in a home with one of our inland team. You will need to help pay for food and lodging of around 50y per day. If it’s not possible to arrange this type of accommodation various hotels are available and costs will be advised at the time. Our hotel rates can be approximately from 160y per night, which often includes a Chinese breakfast. If you are staying with local team worker you need to understand it’s a flexible arrangement. You would need to work in with your host’s personal arrangements. They may not be home every night to cook a meal for instance. Lunch is provided in Doves Wings.
You can be met at the airport in Xian by an arranged driver. Travel from the airport is approximately 120y each way, which you will be asked to pay. On your first day you’ll receive orientation on work practices and appropriate cultural aspects of working in China and with our Chinese staff.
We ask you to work in the foster home, from 9am until 12 midday and then 2pm until 5pm each day, at least 5 out of 7 days. This is most helpful to our home leader, and our ayis (child carers). We will establish a roster for which days to work when you arrive. These are the usual work hours however if any special circumstances arise due to other staff sickness etc. you may be asked to work different or additional hours. Volunteers are not permitted to take children out of Doves Wings without an accompanying ChinaHeart staff member.
Depending on the needs when you come you may receive instructions in how to care for particular children. Sometimes specific children need special exercises etc. These would be issued by our home leader. At the end of your time in Doves Wings we will ask you to complete a feedback form.
For further information or to request applicant forms please click here
