Warm, caring volunteers who are patient, compassionate and want to help disabled people. You’ll be working with local staff so no experience is required, but specialist disability care is relatively new in China so experienced volunteers can be extremely helpful.

Project details

Want to care for people with Special Needs in China? International Volunteer HQ’s Special Needs project empowers volunteers to assist and interact with young disabled people who aren’t able to attend mainstream school. Volunteers will help at centres where they will gain experience working with people with disabilities and give them care, attention and education to help them grow and thrive as individuals and members of their community.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Special education for children with disabilities is considered too expensive for many families in China, but community and government centres offer programs for those who are unable to receive an education through the mainstream school system. However, these centres are commonly understaffed and underfunded, meaning volunteer assistance is crucial to their efforts to deliver quality care.

As a Special Needs volunteer with IVHQ you’ll be helping a small team of local staff to care for children, teenagers and adults with a range of physical and mental disabilities. The most valuable contribution you can make is providing compassion and support.

Special Needs volunteers may find themselves helping with a range of tasks including:

Assisting special needs teachers
Helping with the basic activities of daily life
Preparing and serving meals
Cleaning
Supporting therapeutic activities and rehabilitation

Please note, staff at these placements often don’t speak English, so you’re encouraged to download a mobile translation app on your smartphone. You can do this with the guidance of the local team when you arrive. The local team will also do their best to place at least two volunteers together, providing you with an additional level of support. If you speak Chinese/Mandarin, you may be placed independently.

Why do Special Needs Care volunteering in Xi'an with IVHQ?

While volunteering on the Special Needs project in China, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Supporting young people with disabilities
Helping improve access to care for people with disabilities
Developing your communication skills
Gaining experience with disabled youth
Immersing yourself fully in Chinese culture
Learning about China’s ancient history

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
All volunteers must speak fluent English.

Not sure which program to join?

Get personalized recommendations >

Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

China photo gallery

Teaching English volunteer project in China with IVHQ

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ volunteers at the special needs care project in China

IVHQ Special Needs project

IVHQ China Summer Outreach volunteer project

IVHQ Summer Outreach project

IVHQ Teaching English project

Special needs care project in China with IVHQ

IVHQ Special Needs project

IVHQ volunteer Summer Outreach project in China

IVHQ Summer Outreach project

IVHQ volunteer teaching project in China

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ Special Needs volunteer project in China

IVHQ Special Needs project

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ Special Needs Care project

Special Needs volunteer project in China with IVHQ

IVHQ Special Needs project

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

Samuele Boninsegna

25 Sep 2024

It helped me open my view on the world and on life, now I truly understand the value of what really matters in our existence.

...

Mingfang Li

12 Sep 2024

IVHQ was very helpful in providing Program Guidebooks for volunteers. The Local Team were very helpful in helping us with any difficulties we faced. The most significant thing that I’ve gained is meeting new volunteer friends and making unforgettable memories with the students.

...

Paul Lehoczky

08 May 2024

I feel I gained some perspective towards the world. I've always been a sort of "home town" guy. So it was really interesting and exciting to go somewhere vastly different from my own country. And to interact with the society I was in, in a way other than a pure tourist.

...

Valerie Lau

09 Feb 2024

It's been a humbling experience. The people made me remember that it only takes so little to make them happy. I'm looking forward to returning. Go with no expectations and you will be enriched. We embarked on the journey thinking we will teach them something but at the end of the day, I believed I received more. Expect minimal material comfort and leave the cosmopolitan and developed country mindset behind and you will enjoy it.

...

Masriyani Binti Misri

16 Jan 2024

I'm delighted by the friendliness of the team - they are so helpful. Sometimes we need different environments to actually make us realise how fortunate our life is. It makes me more humble and more thankful for what I have. If you have the interest to try, then go ahead. It might turn your life around.

...

Chui Mei Hew

10 Jan 2024

It was an amazing experience throughout my time on this program. I enjoyed every moment from the day I’m arrived in Xi'An. You will receive a pure heart and smile if you really spend time with them with a genuine heart. I was very happy to interact with them by teaching, dancing, singing or playing around. Lastly, thanks for good hosting from the local team and guidance throughout this program from my IVHQ Program Manager. They are very friendly, kind and helpful.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit

Location

Location

In the middle of China lies the ancient city of Xi’an. It is home to many of IVHQ’s China projects as well as the legendary Terracotta Warriors and one end of the Silk Road. A popular stop on tourist trips to China, Xi’an has much to offer visitors including a rich cultural history and many hotels, restaurants and activities.

Other IVHQ projects are based an hour away in Weinan, an agricultural centre with stunning natural features like the five peaks of the breathtakingly steep Mt Huashan. Still more projects are set in the villages of the Shaanxi province, 1 to 4 hours drive from Xi’an. Volunteers will stay in accommodation near their placements.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of the month and volunteers need to arrive in Xi’an before 4pm on the Sunday before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Xi’an. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the Sunday night before your program orientation.

If you are travelling in China prior to your volunteer program, the local team can arrange for you to be picked up on the Sunday before your program begins.

Orientation is hosted by the China team at the volunteer house in Xi’an. Orientation is held on the Sunday evening, and your volunteer program begins the following day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in China – an introduction to China, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On your first day of volunteering, you will be taken to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays Typical volunteer days on the Teaching English and Special Needs Care projects are as follows:

7:30 - 8:00 AM	Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation.
8:00 - 8:30 AM	Travel to your placement to join local placement staff. Start time and daily workload depends on the project that you are participating on.
12:00 - 2:00 PM	Lunch break. In China, all workplaces have a lunch break for about 2 hours in the afternoon. Some start earlier, some later. You are welcome to stay at your placement with the children or in the office. All placements will offer you food.
4:00 - 5:00 PM	Work at your placement usually ends.
4:30 - 5:30 PM	Dinner at your placement. You are free to travel back to your accommodation, sight-see or go shopping.

Weekends

During the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore Xi’an and wider China. Popular tourist activities and destinations include visiting the Terracotta Warriors and Xi’an City Wall, travelling to Beijing or Shanghai, checking out Tiananmen Square and the Summer Palace, walking the Great Wall of China, cycling through rice fields of the Guangxi province, or viewing the incredible limestone peaks of Yangshuo.

Accommodation and WiFi

Your accommodation will be in either a volunteer house, dormitory-style hostel, or a homestay near your placement. All accommodations have been inspected thoroughly by local staff and chosen because of their safety and security.

Xi’an accommodation: You’ll stay in a volunteer house located in a compound of apartments with a security guard and a security gate. You can expect to share a bedroom with up to five other volunteers of the same gender. Bedrooms have single beds and bunk beds with bedding provided. Living is basic but comfortable and the volunteer house has electricity, running water and western bathrooms with hot water.

If you would prefer to not live in a dormitory situation with shared facilities, there is the option of upgrading to a 3-star hotel located nearby. You will have a private room and bathroom with breakfast provided in the hotel restaurant.

WiFi is available for volunteers to use at the volunteer house in Xi’an. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to keep connected.

Weinan accommodation: Volunteers on the Teaching project in Weinan will be accommodated in an apartment within the school grounds. Living is basic but comfortable and you can expect to share a bedroom with up to five other volunteers of the same gender. Bedrooms have single beds and bunk beds with bedding provided. There is WiFi available and western bathrooms with hot water. Weinan is a 1.5 hour trip from Xi’an City and you will travel by metro and train.

Village accommodation: Generally on the Summer Outreaching Teaching project, you will be accommodated in a dormitory-style hostel at a summer camp or with a local family in a homestay.

The homestay has electricity and very basic facilities including a squat toilet and due to the lack of heating in these homes, you would usually only be placed in a village during the summer months. Staying with a family is a great way to learn the Chinese way of life, meet local people, eat local food and engage in local customs and traditions. IVHQ gives the family money from your fee for support, food and board. You can expect to share a room with one other volunteer in the homestay.

The village placements are located 1-4 hours drive from Xi’an and you will be driven there by taxi.

Meals

Food in Xi’an blends traditional Chinese and Middle-Eastern cooking. Flatbread, pita bread and barbecued meat are often sold at street stalls and noodles, soups, dumplings and steamed buns are some of the favorite dishes in Xi’an. Meat is a staple of the Xi’an diet however, there are plenty of vegetable options on offer. Unlike other areas in China, food is generally spicy in Xi’an.

You will be given breakfast, lunch and dinner during your stay. Typically, volunteers eat breakfast at their accommodation, with lunch and dinner provided at their placement. During weekends you will be provided with brunch, rather than breakfast and lunch.

Bottled water is readily available in China and you should budget approximately $5 per week for 2 litres a day. Filtered water is also provided in some of the accommodation.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know and the local team will do their best to accommodate you. However, you will need to be flexible and should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.

Typical volunteer meal

Typical volunteer meal

Learning how to make traditional Chinese food

Typical volunteer dinner

IVHQ China volunteer accommodation bedroom

Typical volunteer bedroom

China volunteer accommodation bedroom with IVHQ

Typical volunteer bedroom

Volunteer living room

Exploring China during an IVHQ weekend

Visiting the Terracotta Warriors in the weekend

Exploring China during an IVHQ weekend

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

Duration	Program Fee Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you. USD United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
1 week	$345 Equivalent to $49/day
2 weeks	$525 Equivalent to $38/day
3 weeks	$705 Equivalent to $34/day
4 weeks	$885 Equivalent to $32/day
5 weeks	$1,065 Equivalent to $30/day
6 weeks	$1,245 Equivalent to $30/day
8 weeks	$1,605 Equivalent to $29/day
10 weeks	$1,965 Equivalent to $28/day
12 weeks	$2,325 Equivalent to $28/day
16 weeks	$3,045 Equivalent to $27/day
20 weeks	$3,765 Equivalent to $27/day
24 weeks	$4,485 Equivalent to $27/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately £248) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
Recommended spending money: Volunteers in China generally find US$50 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Breakfast, lunch during the weekdays and dinner
Airport pick-up
Accommodation
24/7 in-country support
In-country program orientation
Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

Weekend lunch
Transport to and from your placement each day
Return to the airport when your program finishes
Flights
Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Check what's required to visit China

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.

Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital	Beijing
Population	1.4 billion
Languages	Standard Mandarin
Currency	Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Time zone	UTC+08:00

Weather and climate

The climate of China is extremely diverse; subtropical in the south to subarctic in the north. Xi’an has a continental temperate climate with four distinct seasons; dry winters, a warm but variable spring, hot, wet summers and cool and rainy autumn. The warm season lasts from May to August with an average daily high temperature above 26°C (78.8°F) and monsoon rains are heavy and frequent. The cold season lasts from December to February with an average daily high temperature below 9°C (48.2°F). The coldest time of the year is mid-January, with an average low of -7°C (-19.4°F) and high of 3°C (37.4°F).