For the Hastings volunteers travelling to Sichuan, the start of their placement marked more than the beginning of a personal journey—it represented an important milestone in the growth of the Hongi Volunteer Programme.
Hosted at the Sichuan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Mianyang, the opening ceremony formally welcomed the first Hongi volunteer cohort to Sichuan Province. The occasion brought together officials from the Mianyang City Government, senior leaders from the host college, and representatives from Hongi, reflecting the level of care and cooperation that goes into making these programmes possible.
For the volunteers, the ceremony offered a moment to pause and recognise the significance of what they were part of. Being welcomed in such a formal and respectful way highlighted the trust placed in them—not only as individuals, but as representatives of New Zealand and their home communities.
The establishment of the Sichuan volunteer programme was the result of sustained collaboration. It was made possible through the dedicated work of Hongi and the Mianyang Foreign Affairs Office, whose coordination and planning opened the door for volunteers to live and work in the region. Equally important was the generous hosting of the Sichuan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which provided both academic and pastoral support for the volunteers during their stay.
Support from New Zealand was also critical. The backing of the Hastings District Council helped strengthen the people-to-people relationship underpinning the programme, reinforcing the idea that international exchange is not only about individuals, but about communities building long-term connections.
For many of the volunteers, this was their first time in Sichuan—and for some, their first time in China. Standing in a room filled with local officials, educators, and community leaders, they were reminded that volunteering overseas carries responsibility as well as opportunity. Their role was not only to assist in schools and classrooms, but to listen, learn, and build genuine relationships.
Moments like this opening ceremony capture what the Hongi Volunteer Programme is about at its core: mutual respect, shared effort, and trust built through cooperation. Each programme is shaped by the generosity of host institutions, the support of local governments, and the willingness of young New Zealanders to give their time and step outside their comfort zones.
As the first Hongi volunteers begin their journey in Sichuan, they do so as part of a growing network of exchanges connecting New Zealand and China at the local level. For future volunteers, this milestone shows what is possible when communities on both sides work together—and how a single cohort can help open pathways for many more to follow.
