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Church World Service prepares Amity teachers of English for service in China
Volunteers and participants in the Amity teachers program
Photo: Tim Croyle/CWS
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Elkhart Indiana -- Orientation recently concluded for six English teachers who arrived in Shanghai on July 31, 2007 for one and two years of service in the Amity Volunteer Teachers Program in China. They completed their summer preparations in the TEFL/TESL Diploma Program at St. Michaels College in Colchester Vermont just days before arriving in Shanghai.
Church World Service, a global ecumenical humanitarian ministry supported by 35 Protestant and Orthodox communions, coordinates the Amity teachers program on behalf of participating U.S. Denominations. The new volunteers, who are sponsored by participating denominations, will join 7 continuing teachers who are already in China. The volunteer teachers from the United States will join a larger group of English teachers in China who are supported by sending agencies from around the world.
Volunteer teachers serve at Chinese universities and colleges, instructing prospective teachers in English as a second language. The Amity Volunteer Teachers Program is designed to encourage the volunteers to "become bridges spanning the human distance between the people and churches of their home countries and the Chinese people," the teaching program is a key part of the work of the Amity Foundation, a Chinese non-governmental organization.
Established in 1985, The Amity Foundation was created by Chinese Christians who continue to serve on its board. As a Chinese organization, Amity can offer a genuine partnership with Chinese professionals who have a vision for meeting the needs of disadvantaged members of Chinese society.
Christian partner organizations from more than a dozen countries have joined the Amity Foundation to promote friendship and understanding, and to contribute to Amity's efforts in rural development, education, social welfare and Bible printing.
Supporting denominations:
American Baptist Churches in the USA (ABCUSA)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA)
Reformed Church in America (RCA)
United Church of Christ (UCC)
United Methodist Church (UMC)
Teachers Beginning Assignments in 2007
Name/Hometown/Sponsor/Placement
Debbie Blane, Seattle, WA, PCUSA, China Pharmaceutical University, Jiangsu Province
Kira Elliott, Omaha, NE, ELCA, Qinzhou University, Guangxi Autonomous Region
Richard Hansgen, Danville, VA, ELCA, Nanjing University of Science, Information and Technology, Jiangsu Province
Thomas Morse, Greenwood, IN, UCC Disciples, Nanning Teachers College, Guangxi Autonomous Region
Megan Richards, Fargo, ND, ELCA, Liuzhou Teachers College, Guangxi Autonomous Region
Lynnea Walker, Greene, IA, ELCA, Qinzhou University, Guangxi Autonomous Region
CWS Amity Continuations for 2007
Name/Hometown/Sponsor/Placement
Kyle Fryling, Hayward, CA, PCUSA, Nanning Teachers College, Guangxi Province
Sarah Gardner, Highland, NY, ECUSA, Gansu Lianhe University, Gansu Province
Megan Hunt, Holland, MI, ELCA, Hechi Teachers College, Guangxi Province
Don Lindsay, Austin, TX, PCUSA, Fuyang Teachers College, Anhui Province
Kathryn Linsday, Austin, TX, PCUSA, Fuyang Teachers College, Anhui Province
Lucretia Meece, Wilmington, NC, PCUSA, Jiangxi Normal University, Jiangxi Province
Rachel Sterrett, New Baden IL, PCUSA, Lanzhou Education College, Gansu Province
By Tim Croyle, CWS Amity Program Coordinator
Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;
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