Over the festive season, we’ll be highlighting some of the organizations and people that give their time and skills to make our city a better place, and looking at what you can do to support them. Spread the spirit of giving these holidays!
Christmas is always a time to think about children: our own and those in need. Few children are more in need than China’s so-called “migrant children,” who have come with their parents in search of a better life in the city, but have no right to education or other support here. And few have done more to help these innocents than the Migrant Children Foundation (MCF). We talked to Helen Boyle about the Foundation’s work.
Helen Boyle, with one of the children helped by MCF
Tell us about the history of your organization. How did it start, how has it developed?
MCF is a non-profit, non-political, and non-religious organization, with the sole aim of enriching and developing the lives and education of disadvantaged children in and around Beijing. We achieve our aim by providing a variety of resources from native English-speaking and Chinese University helpers, and organizations such as the Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, and the Beijing United Hospital and Foundation. For years, the generosity of these and a host of other organizations have all responded with commitment and resources on numerous occasions. The Foundation is staffed by a dedicated team of long-term helpers who organize and manage MCF events and programs, and maintain relationships with migrant schools and parents.
MCF provides extracurricular and cultural activities in subjects that these children do not have access to. Other than being given cultural lessons from native English speakers, the subjects covered range from science, photography, drama, music, and horticulture, to name but a few. It is worth noting that these activities are of the highest standard, so much so that the children being shown chemistry experiments in one of the migrant schools won a national competition. It goes without saying that without these resources, both professional and practical, none of this would have been possible, and all of this has been provided by a dedicated body of people who are committed to “making a difference.”
Chemistry lessons provided by MCF won a national competition
Having been in education for over 20 years in the UK, I was in Beijing initially for a one-year sabbatical comparing Chinese and UK teaching methods, and I came across a migrant school in the north of Beijing. Seeing the condition of the classrooms in this school in terms of resources, lack of qualified teachers, and the school’s environment for the children, I felt that I would like to use my knowledge and experience to make a difference. The things that fascinated me with regard to the school’s children were the enthusiasm and the energy the children displayed.
English lessons for migrant children
One thing led to another, ending up with me resigning from my lecturing post back in London and staying on in Beijing to help this migrant school. This first school led to other schools wanting help. From then onwards, people came forward offering their experience to help these different schools.
What are you doing now, and what are your plans for the future?
MCF is now running extracurricular sessions for over 500 children covering various subjects each week. Other programs that have developed since the beginning include health checkups, eye tests and the provision of spectacles where necessary, and undertaking the medical needs of four children that required operations, rehabilitation, and specialist treatments.
MCF provides medical care as well as education
Of course, there are numerous stories that can be told about how these disadvantaged children have had their experiences broadened by MCF programs and the generosity of our sponsors. As an example, in October 2019 some of the children visited the Beijing Planetarium, courtesy of The Hilton Hotel Beijing. This is not the first time the MCF has provided a platform for excursions that enrich and develop these children’s knowledge and experience.
MCF believes it can provide help to other regions in China as part of a future program.
How can people get involved? What help do you need, and how can they contact you?
In order to get involved, individuals can contact MCF via email (friends@mcfchina.org). MCF is always interested in hearing from people who can contribute to the services that MCF provides.
What makes your organization different or special?
MCF is an organization that was established 11 years ago with the intention of following through with its vision statement of “making a difference”. Simple words, but their meaning is far-reaching. Those that support MCF either as helpers or sponsors have been nothing short of inspirational as they, like myself, believe we can all “make a difference” if we want to.
Photos: courtesy of MCF
