As entries come in for our 2015 Community Service Awards, we wanted to share stories about the volunteering and community service our au pairs do every day. Mia, an au pair from Malaysia, spent her free time during the day volunteering at the local Montessori School, helping out and sharing her culture and language skills. Her Community Counselor, Chris, shared her story with us:
Chen Li Ng finds time in her busy day to volunteer at the Montessori School in Redding. Chen, or Mia as her American family and friends call her, is a volunteer intern at the Montessori school several days a week. Assisting with class projects, Mia is also an extra set of hands, helping in a variety of capacities ranging from circle time, playground assistance or crafts. During circle time Mia has been teaching the children a good morning song in Mandarin. “She’s been very helpful,” commented a Montessori staff member, “Thank you so much for thinking of us.”
Mia, a native of Malaysia grew up in the small town of Teluk Intan, Parak and spent time in Australia as an exchange student. With an undergraduate degree from Monash University in Kuala Lumpur, Mia has worked as a kindergarten teacher. In addition to English, Mia is fluent in Mandarin, Malay and Cantonese.
Mia is spending the year in Redding with her host family. After Mia helps the kids start their day and get to school, she spends much of her time off at the Montessori School in Redding with preschool children. Then it’s off to greet the kids as they arrive home from school. As an au pair, Mia learns first-hand about American culture and customs while sharing those of her home country. A particular interest Mia has shared with her host children is math via an abacus, and a love of music. Mia plays the piano and guitar and writes music. Early during her time here, Mia co-wrote and a song with her friend Celine, a fellow au pair from Germany also living in Redding. The two au pairs submitted their original song about their au pair experience in Redding and received an honorable mention in the Global Awareness Contest.
Thank you Mia for exemplifying the very best of the program! And for all of our au pairs who volunteered their time at school, or did other community service, don’t forget to submit your story for our 2015 Community Service Awards.
