Wiser.org Blog

In April, the Chinese version of WiserEarth will officially launch. Prior to this big step I talked to Yovia Xu, WiserEarth editor from Beijing about the translation efforts, her commitment to social and environmental issues, and someone named Fuffy.

Since enrolling in English literature studies, Yovia Xu has been an active volunteer at the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). Starting out as a volunteer in the outreach organisation “liaison volunteer” she helped develop children, youth and senior programs. In addition to that she contributed to developing ideas around a low-carbon lifestyle. In her third year, she became the president of the Youth Volunteer Association at BFSU.

When I asked what issues she cared about most, she reached to the ground and showed me Fuffy, her puppy. Besides children and youth, she cares a lot about animal protection, she explains. “What brought you to WiserEarth?”, I asked. It turns out she was first introduced to the community by another Wiser member. New York-based WiserEarth member Xiaolei Guo had heard about our need for volunteers to translate the website into Chinese.

Yovia was immediately intrigued and offered to help with the translation efforts. It was a piece of cake to find willing supporters of her mission–within a short time she had found a team of about 60 volunteers. In order to introduce them Yovia set up the first WiserLocal gathering in China explaining to her participants everything about WiserEarth.org and its translation into Chinese. Even more impressive, the website was translated into Chinese almost over night.

When I asked her where she pictures herself in the future, Yovia had a clear answer: she has already applied for an MPA program at Syracuse University aiming for a position in nonprofit management. If she could choose an area of focus, her choice would also be clear: the support for those who cannot speak for themselves–children, youth, or animals.

Yovia is a part of groups like the Child Rights in Practice, WiserLocal Organizers, and PLANET OF PEOPLE project, among others. To learn more, contact her on WiserEarth.

Tags: animal protection, beijing foreign studies, carbon, china, volunteering, wiser editors, yovia xu