United Methodists sponsor Amity teachers

The United Methodist Church is sponsoring seven of the new teachers for the Amity Teachers Program in China.

They are among the 12 volunteer teachers selected by the National Council of Churches to participate in the program.  Departing Aug. 3, the teachers will serve two-year terms in rural Chinese universities and colleges, instructing prospective teachers in English as a second language.

Amity is a nongovernmental Christian organization that promotes friendship, understanding, rural development, education and social welfare.  The teachers program was designed to encourage the volunteers to "become bridges spanning the human distance between the people and churches of their home countries and the Chinese people."

The new United Methodist-sponsored teachers are:

• Haidee Aquino, Philippines, assigned to Yancheng Teachers' College
• Rudilyn Ranguindin, Philippines, assigned to Yancheng Teachers' College
• Beth Carter, The Woodlands, Texas, assigned to Yichun Teachers' College
• Ellen Barber, Mount Vernon, Wash., assigned to Shangrao Teachers' College
• Clarence Woodley, Cleveland, assigned to Fujian Institute of Education
• Latosha Glover, Cleveland, assigned to Huanan Women's College
• Janel Fox, Mount Vernon, Va., assigned to Jiangsu Teachers' College

Amity was established in 1985 by Chinese Christians, who continue to serve on its board.  As a Chinese organization, Amity can offer a partnership with Chinese professionals who have a vision for meeting the needs of disadvantaged members of their society.