WANG JUE had dreamed of becoming an Olympic volunteer for three years, from the day in July 2005 when he learned he had been accepted to a university in Beijing.
After taking 160 hours of classes over five semesters, in subjects ranging from Olympic history to journalism, he at last got the chance to serve during the Beijing Olympics as a professional media volunteer.
Wang says that his training improved his communication skills and gave him the confidence to interact with journalists from around the world.
He was a Help Desk Assistant at the International Broadcast Center, decked out in yellow, blue, grey and white, the official volunteer uniform.
The surrounding desks and tables were stacked high with city maps and brochures in countless languages.
“You could always offer somebody something, and this kind of giving can make you happy,” he said.
During his time on the job, Wang and his enthusiastic colleagues also thought a lot about what it means to be a volunteer.
“For many Chinese students, it’s the first chance to be volunteers. It’s pretty precious and valuable,” says Linna Bie, who was a Transportation Desk Assistant during the Olympics.
Zhang Juming, vice director of the Volunteer Work Department of the Organizing Committee for the Beijing Olympic Games, says volunteering will be one of the most powerful legacies of the Olympics. “The Games will foster an attitude of mass participation and long-term growth of the volunteer mentality in China,” he said during a press conference. Due to the experience of managing the Olympic volunteer program, he believes that China will be able to run more volunteer initiatives in the future.
Many Chinese Olympic volunteers took great pride in their work and their contribution to history. “Without the volunteers, there would be no great Olympics,” says Wang. “Maybe it’s the biggest-ever event in China, and maybe the biggest event of my lifetime.”
Linna sees her volunteer job as a win-win situation. “On the one hand I can serve the country,” she explains. “And on the other hand I can improve myself through inner evaluation and inner improvement.”
Even with conclusion of the Beijing Olympics, the spirit of service will live on in the hearts of many volunteers. “It’s not ending, but a new beginning,” says Linna.
(SD-Agencies)