HUNDREDS of expatriates are volunteering in Changning District. They are involved in everything from teaching foreign languages and environmental work to legal aid and maintaining traffic order, writes Victoria Fei.

The thing that makes Changning stand out from other districts in Shanghai is the thriving volunteer spirit of its residents, including wide participation of expatriates.

Communities in Changning seem to be never short of passionate hearts for volunteering. Almost everyone has their own story to tell as a volunteer.

South African Tanya van Wyk, 39, is studying Chinese in Changning. The positive, outgoing woman believes everyone has a soft spot for people in need of help.

Moving with her husband to Shanghai in 2008, Wyk has also lived in Nanjing and Zhenjiang, both in Jiangsu Province.

Huge and noisy, Shanghai was difficult for her to adjust to at first.

"Even though it is a paradise for foreigners, I could not get to know the entire Shanghai until after three months," Wyk said. "But soon I realized that Changning offers everything I need. "It is a modern district, yet has beautiful historical parts as well. The many parks are a safe haven when you are in need of nature and a quiet moment to yourself."

Wyk's story of being a volunteer started with a problem - excessive noise in her neighborhood.

"We tried to resolve it ourselves, but to no avail. Then a Chinese co-worker of my husband suggested that we approach our community center. We were greatly surprised to hear that they will deal with this on our behalf," Wyk said.

"It was the start to a beautiful relationship with the staff at the Gubei Community Center. I see them as my close friends. When the center is in need of foreigners to give advice, share our culture, and just help out in the community, I gladly accept the offer to help."

Volunteering is a win-win scenario, and Wyk said she has gained valuable understanding of Chinese culture, which she would not have been able to read in books.

"I don't accept the idea to 'help' Chinese as I don't think Chinese need help in their own country and culture," said the South African.

"But I need the help to understand these wonderful people. Therefore I have grown to love this nation and see myself becoming closer to my Chinese friends due to my exposure to the 'Chinese way'."

Nowadays more and more volunteers like Wyk log onto hqvolunteer.org, the district's volunteering portal, to find the right volunteer placement for themselves.

The portal is a platform that publicizes volunteering information. After registering, people can browse through projects and volunteer for whichever one they find the most interesting.

More than 50,000 people are now registered. The website provides the latest projects concerning environmental protection, medical service, legal service, psychological aid, specialized techniques and home services.

According to Xu Haisheng, who works for the portal, training is provided to help volunteers better serve society and a digital certificate will be granted to each volunteer to recognize their work.

"We also have volunteer salons for people with the same kind heart to make friends with each other and share insight," Xu said.

"Nowadays, the 500 or so expat volunteers have gained some reputation in Changning. They volunteer to teach in communities, maintain traffic order and improve the city's appearance. They are making the most of their time to return love to the community."

Jean-Baptiste Feutry, 28, is a French teacher working in Changning. He is passionate about teaching language and culture.

Having taught French for more than three years, he continues the sharing of culture and language by volunteering at a French salon at Changning Workers' Culture Palace.

"In addition to my job, I want to find another occasion, situation, to continue to promote culture with French and Chinese," Feutry said. "I want to introduce my country, my culture, share different ideas to the communities. Because it makes our minds richer and life more interesting."

The French lessons feature those who speak the language at various levels.

"The most important thing is that everybody wants to know more things about every aspect of French culture, including history, cuisine, traditions and life in general," he said. "I remember the moment when they ate real French cheese for the first time. Such a gastronomic experience was fun and new for them."

Feutry said his life was so different compared to how he lived in his hometown in France.

"In France, I live in the southeast - a really calm and quiet place. The life is slow and relaxing," he said. "Shanghai is really different. It's the opposite and it's amazing. I've never had such experiences before - the subway, huge buildings, people everywhere and big traffic. The life is very dynamic, never stops. I like that."

Happiness, satisfaction and more knowledge about China is what Feutry has gained. He hopes more people will join the French lessons.

David Dufour has the same wish as Feutry. Coming from Normandy, France, the 35-year-old consultant also volunteers at the French salon once a month.

"It gives me the motivation to try to do interesting classes because I don't want to disappoint them. I like meeting new people, sharing new experiences and I get all of that with the French Salon," Dufour said.

Having four different apartments in Zhongshan Park area and settling in Shanghai since 2003, Dufour married a Chinese woman and has a young daughter. He plans not to go anywhere else but stay in Shanghai. It is this sense of home and that people show care to each other that gives him every reason to stay.

Compared with Dufour, Conrad Dreyer, South African, 26, is new to the city. However, he has enjoyed the experience since arriving in Shanghai in September 2009.

From May to August, he worked at the South African Pavilion at the World Expo. Now he is manager of a South African wine company. He started volunteering by introducing wine culture from his hometown to the local community.

"Now I'm ready to make new friends and to learn a different culture," Dreyer said.