Stepping Stones is a not-for-profit charitable organisation founded in 2006 and registered in Shanghai with a mission to improve the education and general welfare of disadvantaged children in China.
Stepping Stones works with expatriate and local Chinese volunteers to teach English in Shanghai’s migrant schools and community centres. Stepping Stones currently trains, coordinates, and supports more than 300 volunteers to teach 5000 students each week.
Stepping Stones is a long term supporter to SYB program by providing all year long English classes to our students. We developed a specific curriculum, which is really adapted to our students’ needs.
The Young Bakers grew up for most of them in countryside where English level was not really high. When students started the training they were absolutely not confident with English language and do not like to study it that much. After first classes taught by Stepping Stones volunteers, the students changed their minds became eager to learn. With specific training approaches that fit the most in difficulties to learn a foreign language, the students are in constant progress. They are becoming confident and starting to interact with their foreign chefs and costumers during their internships.
Their amazing teachers committed for one year as volunteers. Every week Laura Merlo and Lucy give of their time to teach English to our students. Their testimonies demonstrate their involvement and dedication.
“My name is Laura Merlo; I am a wife and a mother to 2 wonderful kids that most of the time drive me crazy. Since I came to Shanghai 3 years ago, I had to give up a job that I loved, and finding myself with a lot of time on my hands I decided to dedicate some of it to a good cause. I came across Stepping Stones by chance and in the beginning, I was a bit reluctant in joining it for 2 reasons: English is not my mother tongue and I am not a teacher. However, as I got to know the staff at SS I found a great, positive vibe that gave me comfort and encouraged me in taking up this challenge.
When I was offered to volunteer at SYB I was told that it would have been a particular enriching experience, little did I knew how of a remarkable one it would have been.
It is hard for me to put into words the power, the sense of happiness, joy, the strength, the willingness to go the extra mile that these students give me every time I meet them. When I walk to bus station in the morning to go to class I find myself with a big smile printed on my face. I don’t know exactly why, but for sure helping these students learning English is helping me to be a better person and for that I will always be grateful.”
“My English name is Lucy Lu and my Chinese name is Lu Jian Ru. I am from Guilin, Guangxi province, China. I am a student of the account course at moment. Personally, I would like to do some meaningful things during my spare time, so I have heard about Stepping stones who is committed to run the programs for helping disadvantaged Chinese youth. I make the decision to choose Stepping stones in the end and I started teaching English subject in Zhengxin school two years ago, which was a great experience. Stepping stones has always provided a lot of chances to the volunteers for helping the young kids. I am so luck to teach these great kids in SYB via stepping stones in this semester. Meanwhile, also meet some really nice people who do the same thing like I do to. The kids of SYB do take serious for English classes every week and they are smart and sweet. I am so happy to spend time with them and help them. SYB is a great charity and help these kids to become a qualified baker and lead an independent life after graduation. Hopefully I will be able to continue helping these kids for next semester.”
On the behalf of the Young Bakers, I would like to thank Stepping Stones and all their volunteers for their amazing work. Through years we really managed to develop a comprehensive curriculum, which benefit a lot to the students.
Marine
Program Director