Shanghai's first batch of 140 Red Cross volunteers were sworn in
at Shanghai Children's Medical Center at the weekend, ready to
start service at 10 city hospitals.
They will visit patients, help tutor children, give
psychological support to terminally ill people and give guidance
inside hospitals.
"All volunteers promised to work at least two hours a month and
keep serving for one year or more," said Teng Guixiang, an official
at Shanghai Red Cross. "Only those passing examinations after the
training can be our volunteers."
This is the first time that Shanghai Red Cross has recruited,
trained and managed volunteers for long-term and regular services
in hospitals.
After announcing the project in May, more than 200 residents and
some companies stepped forward for the training.
Since June 2, the volunteers have been learning first aid,
communications skills, voluntary service skills and attended
lectures by psychologists and experts in child development.
The 140 volunteers who graduated range from 15 to 77 years old
and come from all walks of life, including university students,
doctors, office workers, teachers, psychologists and sociologists.
About half are in their 20s and 30s.
Volunteer Wan Peifang, a 65-year-old retired doctor, was a
hospital patient herself but asked leave from her doctors to attend
the swearing-in ceremony. "Serving other people is very meaningful
for me," she said. "I'm glad that Shanghai Red Cross can organize
such a project to give us a chance to make full use of our
professional skills and spare time to serve sick people and spread
the spirit of the Red Cross."
Teng said: "Many volunteers are couples, parents and children,
or sisters and brothers. There are even pregnant women accompanied
by their husbands. We are moved by their passion in helping
patients."
(Shanghai Daily August 20, 2007)