Project M.A.I.L.

Background

Project M.A.I.L. was established in 2017 by Hong Kong Baptist University and WKF foundation. It is a bi-annual sustainable service project aiming to provide long-term support to schools and communities in mainland China and to promote their self-development. Four groups of BU-ers—Mainland Chinese students, Alumni, International and Local students (M.A.I.L.)—will cooperate in organising and undertaking direct services such as voluntary teaching, home visits, community service, as well as social research. The first service trip was held from 20 May to 2 June 2017 in Dayu county of Jiangxi province.

Project M.A.I.L. aims at developing students’ responsible citizenship and nurturing them into servant leaders. Through direct service in mainland China with service learning approach, students will be able to deepen their understandings of the situation and challenges of China, as well as to turn their love and care into actions. Meanwhile, by bringing M.A.I.L. together, Project M.A.I.L. provides opportunities for participants of different backgrounds to learn from each other. Students can develop their sense of global citizenship via collaborating with members from different cultural backgrounds, as well as learn from the experience of their alumni team members. 
 

Why should I join Project M.A.I.L.?

Project M.A.I.L. offers a unique opportunity for you to plan, implement and participate in service projects in mainland China with participants of different backgrounds. Intended learning outcomes of the programme include:

• Empowering students to become servant leaders and to make change for a better society;
• Strengthening students’ intercultural competence and boosting their global mindset;
• Deepening students’ understandings of vulnerable groups and communities, especially of their situation in China;
• Promoting students' comprehensive set of abilities for planing and implementing service projects.

You will also have the chances to develop friendships with participants from various backgrounds, who you might not be able to reach in your daily life.

Details

Programme Details
Date: 23 December - 31 December 2018 (9 days)
Location: Jiangxi Province, China
Fee: HK$1,000, Deposit HK$800
Enquiry: 3411 7436/ lqc@hkbu.edu.hk 
Deadline for application: 1 Oct 2018 (Mon)​
* Remarks:
1. Programme fee covers transportation, accommodation, basic meal fee and service materials. 
2. The deposit would be refunded upon completion of the programme.
3. Participants should have 80% attendance rate and hand in a programme report in order to complete the programme. 
4. Students should apply for absence in advance (at least 3 days prior) with valid reasons.

Programme Schedule

Eligibility

All full-time undergraduate students in HKBU, including final year students, international and exchange students. HKBU alumni are also welcomed. 
(Priority will be given to UGC-funded students and non UGC-funded students will need pay the full cost, which differs from the mentioned fee. For more details, please contact us. ) 
 

Application Procedure

For student:

1. Please read carefully the Programme Details on our website.
2. Complete the online application.
   (application deadline: 1 October 2018)
3. Attend the interview on 8 or 9 Oct 2018 upon invitation, which will be sent via email by 5 Oct 2018 at the latest.

For alumni:

1. Please contact Alumni Affairs Office at 34117877/ alumni@hkbu.edu.hk 

Project M.A.I.L. 2017 (Summer)

The first Project M.A.I.L. service trip was held from 20 May to 2 June 2017 in Dayu county of Jiangxi province. During the 14-day service trip to Jiangxi, students organised various kinds of social service work, including voluntary teaching, home visits, elderly home visits and activities, as well as activities for Children’s Day. They also met and discussed with university students and volunteers in mainland China to understand more about the volunteering situation there.

Group photo of M.A.I.L. (From right to left: Mainland students, alumni, international students, and local students)

Students engaging actively in an English class taught by one of our international students, Timothy.

Teaching classes with a broad range of themes, including English, EQ Management, Art and PE classes.

Home visits arranged to gain a deeper understanding of the local families and community.

Alumni and international students working together in a mini carnival organised to celebrate Children’s Day in mainland China.

A Tai Chi class taught by HKBU students in Huanglong Elderly Home.

HKBU eNews Report

HKBU collaborates with WKF Charity and Education Foundation to launch Project MAIL to broaden students’ vision by service learning 浸大與王錦輝基金會首次合辦信暖工程　服務學習拓闊學生視野

 Student Sharing

 

This trip allowed me to meet a lot of great people from around the world showing their love and care to the underprivileged. I am glad to have had the chance to meet these fabulous people. Thanks to them, I have got a better understanding of different cultures and now have a broader global outlook.
  - Chan Wai Yee (Year 2, Human Resources Management)

 

Teaching had been my dream career since I was in primary school. However, I ended up straying from this dream after entering university. Thanks to this programme, as well as to the little kids I met at Qinglong Chijiang Primary School, I managed to rediscover my inherent teaching qualities and passion. I felt so at ease and natural while teaching in front of a class and talking to the children, even when the class I had to manage was an uncontrollable one.
  - Chuang Hoi Kiu (Year 3, Sociology)

Leadership Qualities Centre, Office of Student Affairs

Address: Room 401, The Wing Lung Bank for Business Studies, Shaw Campus, Hong Kong Baptist University

Telephone: (852) 3411 7436

Email: lqc@hkbu.edu.hk