Peking University, Dec. 8, 2010: Student volunteers from Peking University distributed leaflets against the chilly wind at the Triangle, calling on students to pay attention to migrant construction workers’s living conditions.

Early in the morning on Dec. 3, the volunteers were busy fixing up the exhibition boards which displayed migrant construction workers’ living conditions as well as a series of volunteer activities aimed at enriching their spiritual life such as movie shows and mobile libraries. Seeing three volunteers sparing no efforts explaining construction workers’ wretched conditions and the volunteer activities, many people stopped by and consulted the volunteers about this issue.

Many of the buildings in Peking University, old or new, are accomplished or revampedby migrant construction workers who are richly experienced in building construction. They have together made tremendous contributions to the development of the university. Nevertheless, their difficult living conditions are incompatible with their contributions.

"Today they are still struggling to earn a living in such tough working conditions. How is it possible for them to spare any extra time in learning after a day’s exhausting work?” A volunteer pointed out the dilemma with which construction workers were faced. Besides more than ten hours’ physical work in high intensity, they have to live in rooms with no heat but broken windows or doors. Some choose to sleep early, some like to play cards for fun, while some other young workers use the time to text their relatives.

Organized by Education Learning Doing Association and Association of Marxism of Peking University, this exhibition in the Triangle was firstly initiated by the "Helmet" mobile service team of college volunteers, an organization established by Peking University and Tsinghua University two years ago to call on attention in improving the living conditions of workers. At Peking University, the “Helmet” appeals and organizes students to participate in volunteer practices with the help of Education Learning Doing Association and Association of Marxism. It also start on a series of regular volunteer activities such as movie shows and mobile libraries  in Beijing .to provide opportunities of learning and entertaining .

On the evening of Dec. 3, a popular film was shown at the construction site out of East Gate. Dozens of migrant workers still came to watch the film in spite of cold weather. Although the setting was rather simple, they felt satisfied and fully enjoyed the film.

Dec. 5 is International Volunteer Day, also the day for care and concern for construction workers. On this special day, the "Helmet" Mobile Service Team will hold a theatrical festival in Fengtai District appealing people to respect construction workers. Every effort will be used to make the performance a set of distinctive cultural celebrations.  

Translated by: Wang Shiqin
Translated by: Zhang Chunlan
Source: PKU News (Chinese)