STORY: Giving expats a home away from home: Romanian volunteer in China's Shenzhen
SHOOTING TIME: June 1/18/20, 2023
DATELINE: Feb. 1, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:45
LOCATION: SHENZHEN, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Sava Tomoiaga working
2. SOUNDBITE (English): SAVA TOMOIAGA, Romanian expat

STORYLINE:

Sava Tomoiaga from Romania has been living in China's Shenzhen since 1998.

She is now chairperson of SWIC, a nongovernmental organization that works to help newly arrived expats adapt to local life. 

SOUNDBITE (English): SAVA TOMOIAGA, Romanian expat
"Some coincidences made me come to Shenzhen in 1998 and work as a teacher in an international school.

To my surprise, I also discovered my new vocation in Shenzhen.
I was very keen on social activity.
I found and joined SWIC, Shenzhen Women's International Club.

In my opinion, the mission of SWIC is to give people a home far away from home.
There are many activities that members can join.
Now we have activities like hiking, cycling, cooking class, book (reading), and bar club.

We have also good cooperation with MSCE (Management and Service Center for Expats). So our members can learn many interesting things about Chinese culture, calligraphy, etc.
We also invite Chinese people to participate in the activities that we organize as guests.
Volunteer is one of my favorite identities.
I also know that Shenzhen is a volunteer city.
There is on average one volunteer for every five citizens here.

I love the city.
It's really very nice.
And I'm really proud also to be a volunteer working as, you know, when you wear the red vest."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Shenzhen, China.
(XHTV)