The China-Africa Friendship International Volunteer Service Activity took place last week in the Mathare area of Nairobi, Kenya. The event was held at Xiaoying DBSA Primary School and co-hosted by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE) and the Dream Building Service Association (DBSA).
Li Jun, Vice President of CNIE, attended the event, which also saw the participation of CNIE Deputy Secretary General Wang Ke, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya Sun Yinan, DBSA Co-Founder Liu Yimenghan, Chairman of the National Federation for Public Benefit Organisations (PBOs) Stephen Cheboi, Mathare Utalii Ward Chief Christine Demba, Principal of Xiaoying DBSA Primary School Nemmy Matinde, Principal of Hanka Primary School Regina Nyatota, and over 100 representatives from China-Kenya civil society organisations, community governments, and student groups.
Li Jun emphasized that volunteer service is an important symbol of social progress and civilization. He noted that cooperation in volunteer service plays a key role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and African peoples and in promoting China-Africa development cooperation.
“The Dream Building Service Association (DBSA) and its partners have established a strong presence in Africa, engaging deeply with local communities and creatively launching dozens of volunteer projects across six African countries, achieving fruitful outcomes,” said Li
He encouraged more social organizations and civic institutions to focus on pressing local issues in education, healthcare, child welfare, and poverty alleviation. By delivering “community empowerment” services directly to the people, he said these institutions can create tangible benefits that are both visible and impactful.
A delegation of nearly 50 individuals from Chinese social organizations, enterprises, and universities visited the community in the informal settlement, inspecting small-scale, livelihood-oriented projects for children. They distributed free meals to students and interacted warmly with teachers and pupils.
At the event, several organizations donated clothes and school supplies to the school. The Hebei Academy of Fine Arts folk music ensemble and local elementary students performed traditional cultural music, engaging the audience.
The activity concluded with enthusiastic exchanges between Chinese and African participants. Following this, Vice President Li Jun of CNIE held a discussion with heads of Kenyan NGOs from 15 counties, focusing on strengthening cooperation between Chinese and Kenyan civil organizations and supporting the high-quality joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
During their stay in Kenya, the delegation met with Mwambu Mabonga, Chairman of the Board of Kenya’s NGO Coordination Board, Dr. Laxmana Peter Kiptoo, Director of the Board, and Stephen Cheboi, Chairman of the National Federation for Public Benefit Organisations, to discuss mutual learning and cooperation between Chinese and Kenyan civil sectors.
They also visited the Nairobi Railway Station and observed the operations of the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, as well as the “Access to Satellite TV for Villages” project by StarTimes Kenya.
In July last year, at the 7th China-Africa People’s Forum held in Changsha, Hunan, CNIE and the China Volunteer Service Federation jointly launched the “International Volunteer Service Program.” The initiave is part of the programme’s series of events.
