Source: SYSU Youth Association

Written by: MA Jiaquan

Translated by: Lin Wenmin

On November 20, persons in charge of the Blue Letter Caring for Left-home-kids Organization got the certificate of registration of a people-run non-enterprise unit from the staff of the Civil Affairs Bureau of Haizhu District. This symbolizes that “Blue Letter”, an organization caring for left-home-kids established by SYSU students, has stepped outside the campus to serve the society, exploring a new way for the development of public welfare. Earlier this year, on September 11, the “U&I Charity Shop” at SYSU, seeking transformation and upgrade, registered as the "U&I Youth Innovation Center for Public Welfare” at the Civil Affairs Bureau of Haizhu District, thus becoming the “two firsts” in the area of public welfare practice: the first campus charity shop in the nation and the first campus charity shop to get the certificate of registration of a people-run non-enterprise unit in China.

With the support of University leadership, SYSU Youth Association and relevant functional departments take advantage of the opportunity of Guangdong’s reform of the registration administration of social organizations, encourage mature campus public welfare organizations to walk out of campus and transform into social organizations to better use social resources, undertake social services and promote professionalization of operations. The two organizations that have successfully transformed are among the first bath of public welfare organizations with key support from the University, which provides special fund and invites experts and scholars to offer policy advice and application guidance, encouraging them to take the first step and try new things.

After years of development, the public welfare organizations and activities at SYSU have become more standard and professional in their operations and created some public welfare brands. Meanwhile, in organizational system, they invite other universities in Guangzhou into their ranks. The Blue Letter Caring for Left-home-kids Organization, winner of the Group Prize of the 2012 May Fourth Youth Medal of Guangdong Province, is dedicated to establishing a platform for left-home-kids to communicate with college students through letters, the most primitive and the most effective way of communication, to express sincere feelings and benefit their growth. The U&I Charity Shop, winner of the Gold Prize of the 2nd “Northern Light-Tsinghua Cup” National Student Public Benefit Entrepreneurship Competition, supports public welfare projects by trading unwanted things. Young as it is, its original operating model has aroused great interest among the media. There is an inrush of student organizations from other universities that convey their hope of replicating the model in their universities.

These public welfare organizations, above all, provide real volunteer services for the society. Moreover, with university students’ passion and creativity, they keep exploring and innovating the operating models and spread the concept of public welfare in the society.