I am studying in Kunming and would like to volunteer with kids in my spare time. I am specifically interested in spending time with kids in orphanages but can't seem to find any information about how to do this. Does China allow foreigners to volunteer in orphanages? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Call Plan China. They are an NGO with local Yunnan offices helping Children 6310-0822. They might know or have opportunities for you.

Also try calling the Chinese Red Cross. The number is in the Where to help 301 post.

Interested in volunteering some cash to help poor rural minority kids with their education? That can be arranged, as well as efforts to engage in activities at some schools in the area - see the folks who own & run Salvador's for the latter; for the former, indicate here & I'll contact you.

PS: I know nothing of assisting orphanage kids.

I know it. We are doing the job of taking care of orphans. I was a volunteer with my classmate Daniel before I got married. My number is 15288119264.

Joshua

you can come to my school to do so . we sometimes organize people like you to go to school in rural areas to spend time with the kids or do teaching,dancing or something. contact me by qq:344911420

Hi, I'm a senior student in high school and I started a volunteer program aimed at kids who are lack of opportunities to explore their talents and creativities. If ur interested in it, please feel free to contact with me.

Phone 15969531064

China has a group called the Hope foundation. It is designed and targeted towards providing sustainable education to the rural areas via teaching, school construction, etc.

If you need help finding this national level charity group, drop me a PM (Private Mail) - but a simple google search should suffice to get your started.

Finally, if you google orphanage+kunming - you should be able to find one of the orphanages on the edge of town. I have the address and phone number (and a picture) if you're interested - but you'll have to approach them yourself (unless you can find someone to assist you).

EVERYONE there would graciously, gratefully, and excitedly welcome an english teacher (be sure to have an excellent retinue of singing and dancing curricula).

They can also use vision, dental, and healthcare checkups and maintenance, interesting western foods (american cookies, british biscuits, etc - nothing that could cause indigestion or food poisoning is best) - even foreign things like pencils, pens, erasers, pencil cases, backpacks (if you're financially loaded), toys (try to bring enough for each child), etc ad infinitum.

As always, talk to the school leaders beforehand and watch and listen carefully for their reactions, as they'll usually hesitate (out of courtesy) to tell you the truth (like exactly how many toys, clothes, miscellaneous goodies you should bring to distribute to each child, so no child gets left alone - bring spares just in case)...

Kudos to you and trust you will find an opportunity that is mutually rewarding and beneficial.

@laotou: sounds good, but I'd like to know who does oversight & what the overhead is.
Also, maybe you wrote a bit ambiguously & I don't understand, but: 'FOREIGN things like...'???