Journal: I'm Going To...

That's what I wrote in my diary a few weeks ago. I don't swear much, but I was pretty excited when I heard the news. It was quite unexpected. While looking for volunteer work, I contacted the mainland office of Save the Children (Hong Kong), and they forwarded my enquiry to their Hong Kong headquarters, who said they would contact a partner organisation in Qinghai (that's the province which is further West than any except Xinjiang and Tibet). All this took a few weeks, and I thought it was all just an exercise in paper-shuffling that would come to nothing, so when I finally received word that the Sanchuan Development Association "would like to have a foreign friend to help their NGO work", I was quite surprised.

The letter said that they weren't ready for me yet, but would be once they had opened a new office in Xining (the provincial capital). Well, I tried to be patient, but the end of semester was coming and I needed to know for sure that I had somewhere to go after my work here was finished. After sending two emails and getting no reply, I eventually telephoned the director Mr Zhu. He confirmed my fears: due to financial problems they were not able to expand into Xining, and not able to offer me a job after all.

I sprung into action to find an alternative, and from two foreigners that I know I was able to get the name of a few charities operating in China. In fact, by the evening I had already decided to contact an orphanage for handicapped children in Shenyang. In my opinion not as interesting as rural development, but I know some people in that city.

Then the next morning Mr Zhu telephoned me. He had had a change of heart, largely brought on by my mentioning that I was willing to work for free (that had always been my stance, but perhaps the person at Save the Children had failed to communicate this little detail to him).

So I'm going to Qinghai. And not to the capital, but to the Hui/Tu nationality autonomous county of Minhe. Sanchuan Development Association has contact with some foreign donor organisations, so I will be involved in writing english proposals and reports. I like writing, and I like the sector that SDA is active in. And I won't be teaching english anymore. I dare not let myself become to optimistic until I arrive and see what the situation is like, but with such a big change on my horizon I am reminded of Mike Leung's excitement when he landed his perfect job, leading small tour groups around China.

I've mentioned my plans to a few people in China, and responses have been mixed. Some of my students are awed. There is a government programme that encourages university graduates to go to western China, where professionals (especially teachers) are in limited supply. In the students' minds, conditions there are so primitive that only the toughest and most patriotic graduates would volunteer. Mr Zhu said that the building where I'll be staying has a shower, so I don't think the town where I'm headed is quite so extreme as the students imagine.

Some other friends, although supportive, nonetheless think I'm a bit crazy to not only leave behind the well-developed city of Dalian but also give up my respected and well-paid job as a college teacher. But they are imagining themselves in my position, and forgetting that I didn't come here to pursue the "chinese dream" of a stable job, material comfort, and an apartment big enough for my family and my parents (or a second apartment down the road for my parents to live in, as some of my students would prefer).

The obstacle that still remains is how to stay legal. Unfortunately Mr Zhu doesn't know much about visas and suchlike, so I made enquires on Thursday. I rode around in a wet fog for an hour, trying to find the Public Security Bureau, and when I got there I was told that I actually had to go to the Public Security Weihui at the town hall. I'm not sure what weihui means, but I know where the town hall is—it's where I had started from. Anyway, I went there and they said they can arrange a three month F-class visa for me if I present an invitation letter from SDA. Then if I want to stay longer, I'll have to convince the local Public Security Bureau to grant me a residence permit.

If everything goes smoothly, I'll finish my work at the college, say my goodbyes, pack my bags, and be gone in about two weeks.

Well done my friend. I wish you all the very best (and perhaps an internet connection of sorts?) so you can report on your travails deep in China.

David Chan 28.06.2004 , 12:26

Wish everything goes well and good luck. Best regards

Jackie [] 28.06.2004 , 12:52

Qinghai Lake is very beautiful! You can enjoy yourself there! Goodluck :)

Johnny Qiang [] [homepage] 06.07.2004 , 10:20

Where is China? She is in your eyes! Follow your Chinese dream !

Johnny Qiang 06.07.2004 , 10:31

best of luck...keep updating your site letting us know how you are going etc. :) stay safe

onlooker 07.07.2004 , 17:56

wow, that sounds exciting. good luck, todd, and have fun. i just hope the weather is nice out there :) i look forward to your tales!

anita 10.07.2004 , 10:20

good luck todd! all the best and stay safe!

dezza 12.07.2004 , 22:10

Todd, It was great to meet you and your colleagues a few weeks ago.(The last of the barley liquor is gradually clearing from my system, and I am back here in oncology social work.) You are doing a great job and we were all very proud of you. If there is ever anything I can do or arrange for you back here, please let me know. Best wishes. Peter.

Peter Downie [] 16.06.2005 , 10:38

http://www.1step2china.com where I got the information, try

Crazi [] 17.07.2005 , 18:41

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