介绍:
Zeng Qingqun, a 42-year-old mother, emigrated to the U.S. from Hong Kong many years ago. She takes her children back to China every year to study the Chinese language and experience Chinese culture. She was very excited when she found the opportunity to be a volunteer at the Dujiangyan base of CCRCGP.
"I found a program online that allows my family to take care of pandas in Sichuan. I was very pleased because we can spend some time with pandas! I asked my kids whether they wanted to go for the trip and they said they would love it. So I signed up immediately. "
Zeng&`&s children were all born in the U.S. Although they love pandas, they have never seen or taken care of a real panda before.
Adam, Zeng&`&s son, introduces their work at the Dujiangyan base.
"Our job here is to clean up panda&`&s droppings and pick up the extra bamboo shoots and then we help to feed the pandas."
Even though it is the same kind of work every day, Adam has no regrets whatsoever.
"This work is tiring and we did the same a lot every day. But it is worth it because we can hang out with pandas."
Overseas volunteers like Zeng and Adam can be easily found at the base. In fact, the initial purpose of establishing volunteer services was to provide a chance for global panda lovers to get up close and personal with the animals.
Tang Chunxiang, the director assistant at CCRCGP, explains how the base&`&s volunteer services came about.
"Actually, recruiting volunteers is not our work or mission. We are doing it for panda fans worldwide. They want to find a way to help them come to China and take care of the pandas. They want our help. Therefore, we set up the Panda Club and the Department of Panda Tourism. These two are responsible for those who want to come here and be with pandas."
Not all volunteers can successfully make it to the base, though. Tang lists the criteria for a qualified volunteer.
"First, you have love pandas. Second, you must be able to take care of yourself. You cannot be too young. Say, in the 10 to 15 age bracket. Third, you have to be healthy."
Anna Yu, a volunteer from the U.S., is impressed with the strict standards.
"The application part is easy, however, in order to protect pandas from any kinds of diseases, all the volunteers need to go through a health check process. All the volunteers have to fill up pieces of paper. There are lots of items you need to check and get your doctor&`&s signatures on it. You have to be perfectly healthy to get here."
Apart from meeting the requirements, volunteers have to work very hard with panda keepers. Gao Qiang, one of the experienced keepers at the base, likes to have overseas volunteers.
"Overseas volunteers are not afraid of doing dirty or tiring work. After you show them how to do it, they can do it properly."
During the work process, some volunteers even make emotional connections with the pandas. Liu Yi, a senior panda keeper, still remembers a couple from Switzerland.
"They were in their 80s and lived here for a week. Sometimes, I asked them to have a rest, but they would get upset and say, &`&We want to take care of pandas. You cannot stop us!&`& So I left all the work to them and they were so happy. They both cried when they had to leave."
Tang Chunxiang, the director&`&s assistant at CCRCGP, adds that pandas can help people have a better understanding of China.
"Through pandas and the volunteer services, we want people all over the world to know better about China, Chinese culture and what we do to protect wild animals and the environment. We hope people can see China more clearly through pandas."
Zeng, the volunteer who took her American-born children to the base, says she is impressed with the efforts people make for pandas and feels reluctant to leave.
"People who are working here really have a heart of love. They take care of the pandas and change their cage every two months in case the animals get bored. Although the work here is the same every day, my kids and I do not want to leave at all! "
Zeng believes she will take her children to Dujiangyan again. She wants them to learn from the local people and help protect pandas and the environment.
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