H.O.P.E. International Volunteers Offer Free Online Activities


NowShenzhen   |   February 19, 2020

The situation with respect to the COVID-19 is not yet over, so we must continue supporting the government’s regulations.

AS we’re staying at home in support of the nation’s ongoing battle against the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), many of us may feel bored, dreadful or even depressed.

Despite the current circumstances, some people have decided to make the most of the isolation by finding ways to stay entertained, educated and fulfilled, both physically and mentally.

Bruno Schuyten

Bruno Schuyten from Belgium, 32, is a Shenzhener living in Zhaoshang Subdistrict in Nanshan District. As a multifaceted expert holding certificates in nutrition, culinary arts, aromatherapy and life coaching, and official volunteer for the NanShan International Culture Exchange & Service Center, Bruno shares his expertise here, including useful tips to lighten up the gloomiest indoor days and make them more bearable and even fun.

Chef Bruno’s message to fellow

Shenzheners & People residing in China

As the founder of the HOPE Program, an international volunteers’ team that stands for “Help One Person Everyday,” I’ve decided to use our knowledge, skills and newly discovered free time to uplift the community while indoors.

Most people, even when life is carrying on as usual, find that they don’t have enough time to spend with their family and friends, learn a new skill, discover a new culture, acquire a new language, get in the shape they desire to be in, or work on the business they’ve always dreamed of.

In response, our team has decided to organize free daily online activities. Chinese corners, English corners, home workout programs, fitness and nutritional advice, a variety of lessons (such as learning to play musical instruments, draw, write poetry and more), discussions and cultural exchanges, prompts to reach out to friends and family (as this is something we generally want to do but never find the time), and virtual coffee with a life coach are all on-deck.

In addition, here are a few things you can start doing for yourself and others:

  • Take the time to pimp your room/apartment

using different colors, flow, install small and easy sound system, we have personally set 4 different types of lightings for less than 100 rmb (from full red to bright yellow passing by pink hymalayan and orange) set a few things differently so we can easily turn living room into a spa with foot bath, detoxifying mud masks and more, or a movie projection space, as well as a cooking spot for live stream, we set a nice background for future events etc..

  • Diffuse different high quality essential oils

to play with your moods and create an ambiance for different times: fresh in the morning with some citrus and minty notes, some afternoon chill with some grass, roots and spice scents, some relaxing and soothing evening with flowers, wood and grass essential oils, we also have some blend for special romantic nights.

  • Reach out to a friend by making a video call.

It will help you connect emotionally and build a bond with people you generally don’t have time to contact.

  • HOPE volunteer-Melody offers free English corner
  • HOPE volunteer-May offers free Chinese corner
  • HOPE volunteer-Kai offers free Australian Chinese slang corner
  • Seek online educational services.

Be it a skill, an art form or a language, there are many apps available for free or a very small fee that can help you reach those goals.

  • Meditating or erxercise

Do some breathing exercises and review where you are in your life. Is it going the way you wished, and is there anything you can do to make your future better?

  • Hire a coach.

Get some life advice, fitness guidance, or nutritional recommendations to help you reach your goals in life.

  • Read books.

Reading can bring you on adventures where you can travel with your mind or on a personal development journey that can help you gain more insight on yourself. Read about things you’ve always been interested in but never found the time to learn.

  • Do some research.

Try to discover how you can start or create that business or product you’ve always wanted to do.

  • Start an online blog or vlog where you can share your passions with the world write a bit, and if it isn’t good, no one will ever know. Or, if you wish, publish it and share it with friends.

By now you have probably started to see a pattern: Get out of your bubble – not physically but virtually – and reach out to the world and share what’s inside of you that can help and motivate others. China needs more positivity now than ever before, and reaching out to someone, even if it is just listening and being with each other online, can be an invaluable experience for people in the fight against the virus.

we are offering these services for free to anyone in the community, we sarted as a ZhaoShang community based (whom we will forever be grateful to for their original and continuous support, especially the “NSIC, NanShan International Culture Exchange & Service Center) but have now grown internationally and have branched out in ukraine and keep on expanding farther, get in touch if you’d like to join our community group and if you’d like to offer any services.

You can also find more information on our website https://hopewithyou.org (currently building in progress so please don’t mind our small glitches) and if you also would like to start a program in your region, well you can directly reach out to our founder Chef Bruno or any members to put you in touch and learn how you can do this on your own.

Activity Schedule incoming real soon. Credits: Chef Bruno and Shenzhen Daily

HOPE to see you