She left her heart behind in Tanzania

In July 2012, Lin Lijia from China Agricultural University took the money to Tanzania. Lin and other AIESEC volunteers from China helped the orphanage register with local authorities as an NGO, so it can legally operate.

They repainted the walls, repaired the doors and windows, and rebuilt the washroom, bathroom and kitchen. They also bought new bed sheets, mosquito nets and stationery.

They even managed to hire two teachers for the children and found a middle school that agreed to give free education to five children from the orphanage.

The project to help orphans in Tanzania, initiated by Cao Jingyi, has become an independent AIESEC project, Lin says.

AIESEC China has since also adopted two other orphanages in Dar es Salaam and is committed to work there every summer and winter vacation.

Tang Wanyi, director of an outgoing exchange department, says AIESEC China encourages students to initiate their own projects. "The students put forward their ideas, and we help them come true," she says.

According to Tang, AIESEC China sent nearly 3,000 students abroad for internship and volunteer programs in 2012. "Such projects help the students know the world and understand cultural diversity," she says. "It also gets them started on community work."

Cao says she learned to help those in need. And her time there changed her perspective on happiness.

"I thought happiness meant having your own house, car, job and family," she explains. "But the children at the New Hope Family changed that. They are happy with small things like a candy, a pencil or an eraser."

Cao says she and her friends will continue to support Dar es Salaam's orphans.

Ren Jinxia contributed to this story.

zhangxiaomin@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/18/2013 page23)