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Mian Yang, Sichuan

Sichuan state is located in Western China. It covers most of the huge Sichuan basin and is bordered on 3 sides by mountains - Tibet and the Himalayas to the west, Qinling to the North and Yunnan to the South.

In May 2008 the province was hit by a massive earthquake reaching almost 8 on the richter scale, killing over 70,000 people and making 100,000's homeless. Mian Yang City, where Travel to Teach volunteers are based was around 120km's east of the epicenter. Although the city didn't suffer anything like the huge devastation felt further west it was still badly affected with over 5000 killed.

Life in the city is slowly beginning to return to normal and Travel to Teach are sending volunteers since October 2008. Please see map of worst affected areas or Wikipedia ariticle on the earthquake for more information.

Volunteering Projects in Sichuan
In Mian Yang city. volunteers teach English in a variety of schools, working with local teachers to plan and teach lessons. Volunteers can be placed at schools within the towns and villages surrounding Mian Yang, and at larger schools within Mian Yang city itself.

The quality of the schools and the level of English vary greatly. Schools in the villages outside of the city are generally very poor with little equipment and generally very basic standards of English. Within Mian Yang city itself the schools are generally much better equipped, and usually have correspodingly higher levels of English.

For more information please visit our website http://www.travel-to-teach.org or Email kerstin@travel-to-teach.org

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