A recent
Roundabout book fair raised an incredible amount of money for charity, showing what can be achieved with a team of enthusiastic and hard-working volunteers. Perhaps you’ve thought about volunteering, and are interested in finding out more on what’s involved. If you are a new mom, or an expectant mom, you may be looking for advice and help with breastfeeding.
La Leche League holds regular group meetings, to provide support and guidance to moms. If you’re looking for a fun and friendly baby group,
Mummy & Me has singing, music, and play for your little ones, whilst giving you the chance to meet other parents. If your little ones are not so little, and thoughts are turning to school options,
Beanstalk International Bilingual School (BIBS) has opened a new campus in Shunyi, with capacity for 600 students, from preschool through to Grade 12.
Volunteering
The
Roundabout book Fair, held at
BSB Shunyi, was a huge success, raising an incredible RMB 217,121. All of the money will go to support the survivors of the Yunnan earthquake. Projects include repairing roads, providing basic medical services, buying seeds and livestock, providing shelter for the families, and rebuilding schools. Volunteers worked hard over the days of sale, setting up the book fair, and sorting all the books.
Roundabout could not function without all the volunteers who give their time to help make a difference to the lives of those less fortunate. New volunteers are always welcomed, and after initial training you can then work the hours that suit you. Some volunteers work 2 hours a week, others commit to 4 days a week. If you are interested in volunteering, contact (137 1805 3814 (Chinese), 137 1877 7761 (English), roundaboutchina@gmail.com) www.roundaboutchina.com/volunteers
La Leche League (LLL)
LLL is an English breastfeeding support group led by Serena and Bec, two experienced mothers and
LLL Leaders. The group is a free community resource that provides breastfeeding know-how, information, and support for currently nursing mothers and pregnant mothers.
The
LLL Breastfeeding Cafe is an informal chance for breastfeeding mothers to spend time with one another. During the Cafe session, a wide range of topics may be discussed, depending on the needs of the group on the day. Topics may include: making more milk, nursing positions, weaning, dealing with oversupply, baby’s first foods, birth stories/birth plans, birthing options, and procedures after birth. Other parenting issues such as safe co-sleeping, baby wearing, and cloth diapering, are also topics that are often discussed.
In addition to their lending library for breastfeeding and parenting books, they also have a baby sling/carrier library. Carriers are available for trial on the day of
LLL meetings, but can also be rented out for longer periods. For more information, contact Bec (186 0062 8481,
beijinglaleche@gmail.com)
Mummy & Me
Beijing Riviera hosts an informal, international playgroup, every Wednesday 10-11.30am. Open to all parents, and children aged 0-3 years. Held in the playroom, the children get to enjoy music, educational toys, storytelling, and snacks in a relaxed, social setting. Free tea and coffee is available for parents. Mummy & Me is organized by mothers in the community, who would love to meet other parents, and have some fun with their kids. For more information contact Fran (
ffffruityfran@yahoo.com). Beijing Riviera, No 1 Xiang Jiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District.
BIBS New Shunyi Campus
Beanstalk International Bilingual School (BIBS) has opened a new campus in Shunyi. The new building has capacity for up to 600 students, from preschool through to Grade 12. Equipped with high speed internet, iPads and laptops for the students, facilities include an Olympic sized swimming pool, and tennis courts. There are longer-term plans to build a dome.
BIBS accepts students with both foreign and Chinese passports. The school is a candidate school for the IB Primary Years Progammes (PYP) and Middle Years Programmes, and is authorized for the Diploma Programme (DP). It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.
Photos: courtesy of Roundabout, Quinn Dombrowski (flickr)
