Volunteer Programs in Shanghai, China

During my time at the orphanage I met some of the most impressive and lovely people in my life. The staff was incredibly welcoming and spending time with the kids was fulfilling and lovely. They all are precious, smart and funny. For the first time in life I actually felt like I was doing something meaningful and important. I can absolutely recommend volunteering at Shanghai baby’s home! No matter how long you can stay, if you like kids and are ready invest some time in getting to know them you’ll get nothing but love back. I found baby’s home through wanderlust. Their service was always good, the whole staff was friendly and especially Ginger, who was responsible for picking me up and helping me, was there for me around the clock whenever I needed support. I can definitely recommend their service.

I had a wonderful experience volunteering through Wanderlust in Shanghai and hope others consider this as an option as they look for volunteer/abroad programs. As a young professional with a couple of months off from work, I was looking for a program that was both flexible with timing and impactful. When I came across Wanderlust's Orphanage program I was really excited by both the mission and the flexibility (ability to volunteer for 2-4 weeks vs. 2-4 months). The Wanderlust Program team was so patient and helpful as I navigated the application process and eventually arrived in China. Since I had some Chinese language background and had previously studied abroad in Shanghai, I was already culturally adjusted to living in China, but the Wanderlust team made it even more special by providing me with an additional community of volunteers and au pairs to get to know. The overall volunteer experience was really great. I spent three weeks with an orphanage located in a children's hospital in Shanghai. The staff at the orphanage were absolutely amazing, so kind, welcoming, and really cared about the children. While I was volunteering I mostly assisted with teaching one of the kids English, I also had the opportunity to join in on art and music classes with the other children. Overall, just a fantastic experience and I would have never known about it if I hadn't found Wanderlust. I hope to go back and volunteer again in the future!