Chinese and expat volunteers pose for a photo during a sharing session at Maluan Subdistrict Management and Service Center for Expats in Pingshan District on March 11. Photos courtesy of Maluan Subdistrict Office unless otherwise stated

The Maluan Subdistrict International Block in Pingshan District has unveiled a series of events that will be held this year for its international volunteer team. 

Planned events include free German classes for children, identifying inaccurate or problematic English signs in public areas, creating English audio guides for scenic spots in Maluan Subdistrict, nature exploration, foreign consultancy, business fair services, handicraft events during traditional Chinese festivals, and cultural and sports activities.

During a sharing session held at the Maluan Subdistrict Management and Service Center for Expats on March 11, both expat and Chinese volunteers from the team expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming events. “I will mostly be involved in my German-language events and hope to share more about German culture,” said Samuel Sadiq, an expat from Germany.

German volunteer Samuel Sadiq shares his experiences during the session. Photo by Cao Zhen

Currently teaching German at Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) in Pingshan, Sadiq has participated in numerous community events in the district since 2020. His free German classes for local children feature picture book readings, fun activities, and quizzes. 

Leveraging his expertise in languages and drawing upon his cultural background, he endeavors to foster a sense of belonging among locals and fellow expats in the community. “We have a big German department, and the campus of our university is pretty big. I hope to connect local people with the university through my volunteer events,” he said.

Brazilian volunteer Felipe Vieira Setlik smiles during his talk. Photo by Cao Zhen

Christopher Shaw, an expat from the U.K. who has a background in furniture design and product development, also shared his experience. He noted that volunteering has been a fun, excellent way for him to connect with local people and fellow foreigners in Pingshan, where he has lived for a long time.

“We have many friends in the community and have always tried to support the local government wherever possible. I've already worked with people to help improve some local tourist sites and enjoyed learning more about the history and culture of the area. This year, I plan to get involved in more outdoor activities — because I enjoy sports and fitness such as walking — and art projects, due to my background in art and design,” he said. 

British volunteer Christopher Shaw talks about his experience during the session. Photo by Cao Zhen

Last year, Shaw recorded an English audio guide for the Dawan Ancestral Residence, helping more people discover the stories behind the centuries-old Hakka compound. Both he and Sadiq were recognized as outstanding volunteers by Maluan Subdistrict’s New Era Civility Practice Center for their longtime commitment to volunteering and dedication to the community.

During the session, some Chinese volunteers shared their experiences and expectations, expressing a desire to use their professional knowledge in future volunteering activities and to facilitate cultural exchanges between Chinese and foreigners.

Chinese and expat volunteers exchange ideas during the session.

Diverse volunteer events have been unveiled for Maluan Subdistrict this year. Photo by Cao Zhen