Project Description

1. State the purpose and objectives of this Ministry or Project:
   
   Yanji International Technical Cooperation Technical High School is technical school which teaches Electricity, Auto Mechanics, Computers, and Office English. The role of the Lay Missioner is teach about 15 hours a week of English conversation to the Office English students.
   
   
2. Briefly describe the background and present situation of this ministry:
   
   The school is run in cooperation between the Chinese government and the Salesian province of South Korea. SLMs cannot discuss religion other than in a general sense or identify themselves as being part of a religious organization.
   
   The school hopes to provide skills to the students most of whom will go abroad or other parts of China to work. Many of the Office English students already speak Korean and will work as Korean-Chinese translators after gradution. However, knowledge of English is an important skill that many employers look for.
   
   
3. Total number of people involved in this ministry/project now:
   
   350.
   
   This number includes:
   
   

   # of SLMs:	2
   Children:	300
   Adults:
   Teachers:	30
   Local religious:	10

4. What other programs, activities or possible projects are involved in this ministry:
   
   The Salesians are also responsible for a sharing home for 7 orphans. Every weekend the Salesians do an activity with the kids and the SLMs can join. In addition the SLMs live near the sharing home and can visit the kids or help them with their English work.
   
   
5. Give a brief description of the area in which the lay missioner would be working. Include information such as: rural or urban, income level of area, primary needs of the people in the area, etc.)
   
   Yanji is city of about 400,000, small by Chinese standareds which is located in Jilin Province in Northeastern China about 25 miles from the North Korean border. The city while urban is surronded by rural areas. Yanji has lagged behind the development of the rest of China. There is little industry to speak of here and most of the money in the area comes from people working abroad who send back money especially ethnically Korean Chinese who work in South Korea. The Korean-Chinese make up the bulk of the student population at Yanji Tech and about 60% of the population of Yanji. English teaching is the main responsibility of the Missioners here whether at Yanji Tech or at other school or through tutoring.
   
   
6. Are there any special problems or conditions in the area or project which might restrict some applicants: political, health, personnel, etc. Please describe.
   
   The nature of the Chinese government requires that the Salesian are not identified as religious and that in general religion is not discussed. It is possible to describe religion in a technical matter but not proseltize among the students.
   
   Due to the heavy use of coal the air pollution here is quite bad and in general sanitation is quite poor. In addition virtually all meals are shared here among several people so it is important to get a Hepatatis A vaccination before leaving.
   
   

Job Description

1. List and describe the major duties to be performed in this ministry or job. Please also include an estimation on the number of hours per day/week you spend on each duty.
   
   The main responsibility is teaching and planning English Conversation classes. Class time is about 13-15 hours a week at Yanji Tech but it is also possible to do additional teaching at other schools as well as private tutoring. Lesson planning requires a few hours each week.
   
   In addition there is the opportunity to play sports with the kids after school. This becomes more difficult during the frigid winter but there is also a new indoor gym that can be used in the winter.
   
   
2. What is the missioner's position with regard to other personnel in the ministry or project?
   
   

   Administering or supervising others:
   Member of a team:	The missioners work in the English Department with 7 English teachers who are Chinese.
   Working alone:	There is virtually no oversight over what the missioner decides to do in class. The SLMs are free to sturcture class in anyway they would like.
   Under supervision of:
   Other:

Necessary Qualifications

1. Please indicate below the qualifications or skills considered necessary for performing well in this ministry - i.e. language, special skills, technical training, physical strength, etc.
   
   Being a native speak of English is the only skill that is required. It would be helpful to have some teaching experience especially as an English as a Second Languge Teacher or at least some training in ESL but it is by no means required.
   
   It would be also be important to study at least some Chinese or Korean before coming here. It is not expected that you will use these in class but at times it can be useful and it is very important for being able to get around the city as virtually no one here speaks English. The Salesian provide time and money for hiring a Chinese tutor usually a university student.
   
   Other requirements would include the following: patience - students have limited English abilities and can be shy, but the desire to learn is there, creative and dedicated to forming lessons centered on conversation, open to foreign customs and culture - while much of China and other Asian nations have latched onto all things Western, Yanji’s culture remains largely Chinese and Korean...it is an authentic foreign experience.
   

Mission Site Living Conditions...

1. Do the SLMs live with the religious members of the community?
   
   No
   
   
2. If "No", where do the SLMs live?
   
   The SLM's live an apartment in the city. The school is about 10 minute outside of town. Since most of the Salesian are South Korean and the school is outside of town living in the city gives the SLMs a better opportunity to experience China. However, the SLMs are welcome to any meal with the Salesians as well as other activities like playing basketball or going on trips.
   
   
3. Do the volunteers have their own room or do they share?
   
   Private
   
   
4. Do the volunteers have their own bathroom or do they share?
   
   Shared
   
   
5. Is there the opportunity for daily mass/Eucharist?
   
   Yes
   
   
6. What you do for laundry:
   
   
7. What are the local medical facilities like (where would you go for an infection, broken bone, etc.)?
   
   There is a hospital in town but is not recommended for anything serious. For anything serious it would be best to go to South Korea.
   
   
8. What does your local diet primarily consist of?
   
   The local food is a mixture of Chinese and Korean food. Beef, mutton, pork, and fish are avaliable as are more exotic things like dog. Chinese food tends to be much greaser than Korean food. Korean food is always served with a number of small dishes and always with kimchee which is a kind of spicy cabbage. Rice or noodles and usually soup are eaten with every meal.
   
   
9. Is there an ATM relatively close where you have access to money?
   
   Yes
   
   If "No", what is the preferred method of receiving money?
   
   
10. What is your involvement with the religious community?
    
    At least once a week the SLMs eat with the Salesians. In addition we work with each other in the school throughout the week and in extracurricular activities like playing sports with the kids. In addition on the weekends the SLM and Salesian often get together to play basketball or go hiking or for a meal or any number of different activities.
    
    
11. What is your involvement with the greater community (local festivals, invited over for meals, dance groups, etc.)?
    
    The SLMs live right in the city so it is possible to meet people in town. Many people will be interested in meeting foreigners and some will be quite friendly and invite you over for meals and check and see how you are doing. It is also possible to meet students from the local university who study English or as a Chinese tutor which also offers an opportunity to experience local life.
    
    
12. What other things do you feel others should know about "Life at your site"?
    
    Being a foreigner in China is quite a unique experience. Since Yanji is a smaller city that means people aren't use to seeing foreigners. There are other foreigners in the city but most live a little outside town. That means that people will stare at foreigners alot especially if they have some unique characteristic like being tall or having blond hair. That said people are generally just curious and usually excited if you speak Chinese to them. However it can be difficult getting used to being the center of attention.