Improve public
speaking skills
Entrepreneurial
opportunities
Make a
real impact
Gain real work
experience
Why choose Our Town Library?
We have observed that many volunteering opportunities for high school students lack sustainability. For instance, while high school students often engage in teaching support, their involvement typically doesn’t meet the long-term educational needs. Short-term projects rarely create lasting impact. These frequent substitutions can disrupt the learning experience for local children, forcing them to continually adapt to new volunteers. Meanwhile, online English teaching programs often require volunteers to pay substantial fees upfront, which can pose a barrier.
For children in need, learning English may not be a priority; they are often facing more urgent needs that deserve attention.
Other initiatives, such as companion-based activities, often lack teamwork and practical application preventing volunteers from fully realizing their potentials. Fundraising events tend to depend on heavily ordinations, making it challenging to track their effectiveness.
At OTL, we recognize these challenges and aspire to transform traditional youth charity activities into meaningful, long-term contributions to society. We provide a flexible community service option located in Shine Hills, surrounded by over ten international schools in Beijing, making it easily accessible for international school students. Our online program also connects Chinese children with volunteers worldwide, allowing everyone to benefit from our services.
Volunteers can join our student-led management team, where they help decide how to allocate our profits for donation. Additionally, online volunteers have the freedom to donate their earnings to an charity of their choosing, under their name.
From our volunteers
“Xiaozhen library is one of the most transformative and inspiring projects of my life. Each reading session, l recall when the library was first founded two year sago. Shelves empty, rooms empty, with only very few children and the five of us. Two years flew by, not only filling the library, but also filling myself with invaluable entrepreneurship experiences.
Being fully committed to the project from leading sessions, recruiting communicating, and organizing donations, l found myself inseparable from the library, and l will always be grateful for everything that this journey has taught me.”
Angelina
Dulwich Beijing College
Brian
Phillips Academy Andover
“When l was still in China teaching our in-person sessions, every weekend l was filled with joy to see the kids laughing (almost constantly) during the reading activities. And later their parents greeted us volunteer warmly, giving us advice and offering their help; it’s such a nice feeling to be supported and appreciated by the kids and their parents.
When l left the library on Sunday evenings, l always got the happy feeling that we’ve made a true impact on the community. And now it’s the same even though’m living in the US and leading our online reading sessions: before the session I’m stressed from schoolwork, and l leave the session happy and totally de-stressed, ready for the week ahead.”
“One of the most valuable lessons l learned was the importance of patience. Working with children requires a level of patience and understanding that l had not fully appreciated before. Each child has their own pace of learning and their own set of challenges, and it was crucial for me to adapt my approach to meet their individual needs.
Beyond teaching, my time at Xiaozhen Library was enriched by the strong sense of community and collaboration. The library provided a supportive environment where l could grow both personally and professionally.l formed meaningfu connections with the children and my fellow volunteers. Together, we created a nurturing space where learning and growth flourished.”
Ryan
Dulwich Beijing College
Steven
Dulwich Beifing College
“For me, what l learned the most from volunteering in XiaoZhen wasn’t how to teach but how to lead, When you step into the classroom, it’s just you, a book, and a group of eager young minds. If you want to lead them through an enjoyable reading session, that requires leadership.
However, there is a key difference in leading young children because it’s a place where you can make mistakes. In other words, it’s a training ground for leadership. Genuinely, that’s partially why I take joy in volunteering in XiaoZhen: you teach some and learn lots.”
“One of the most valuable lessons l learned was the importance of patience. Working with children requires a level of patience and understanding that l had not fully appreciated before. Each child has their own pace of learning and their own set of challenges, and it was crucial for me to adapt my approach to meet their individual needs.
Beyond teaching, my time at Xiaozhen Library was enriched by the strong sense of community and collaboration. The library provided a supportive environment where l could grow both personally and professionally.l formed meaningfu connections with the children and my fellow volunteers. Together, we created a nurturing space where learning and growth flourished.”
Ryan
Dulwich Beijing College
How to join
If you are an international school student in Grade 8 (Year 9) and above, fluent in English, and interested in volunteering with children… Join Us!
To ensure the quality of our service, online interview and training are required.
Weekend Volunteer
(long- term)
Xiaozhen Library, Shine Hills, Shunyi, Beijing.
Commit 4-6 hours per month.
Summer camp volunteer
(July- August)
Xiaozhen Library, Shine Hills, Shunyi, Beijing.
Commit for at least 1 week: 20 hours.
Online volunteer
(long-term)
Provide online services throughthe Classin platform.
Commit 4-6 hours per month.
