A NON-PROFIT social club in downtown Jing'an District is calling for expats to join them and provide free English lessons for poor children in the community because the English school they planned to work with has been closed.
The social club, Sunday Youth, known as the Good Man Club among young people in Jing'an, has attracted more than 3,000 local residents and expats since it was started on July 19.
"We are now facing a problem in teaching those kids coming from poor families, because of the lack of teachers and educational resources," said Qian Changhao, the chairman of the club.
Qian said the club intended to work with an English-language training school to provide free lessons for the children, but the school, Linguaphone, suddenly closed its three branches in the city in October.
"Expats who are willing to devote themselves to voluntary English teaching are warmly welcomed," said Qian.
"Also I'd like to invite everyone, especially the young people, to join the club and turn charity works into the new fashion trend of the city."
Despite its "Good Man" name, the club is also open to women.
According to a club official, the club already has held 21 social activities - including magic shows, basketball games, cake making, and a coffee salon - with about 700 participants in the past five months.
"The activities were meant to help the participants learn a new skill from others," said Qian. "Also, we will invite specialists to teach the members how to use fire-fighting devices and how to survive in a fire accident."
Members of the club may pay 99 yuan (US$14.50) to receive a T-shirt with the club's logo, "We are Good Men," and a specially made good-man passport.
The money will be used partially to fund activities, with the rest donated to poor families or charity organizations.
With the good-man passport, members may record their activities as achievements of being a good guy, and also enjoy privileges in return.
For example, the volunteer who has taught a child to play basketball for two hours may use the playground court one hour for free.
"Whatever he contributes to the society, he benefits himself as well," said Qian.
