Magic Hospital is very fortunate to have dedicated staff and volunteers who are committed to bringing smiles on children's faces.  The performers and program leaders are offered compensation so as to ensure quality, consistency, and accountability.   A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to all of our volunteers who donate their time, enthusiasm, and laughter to make the lives of children a little brighter.

Clowns & Co.

Currently, the team consists on two clowns.  Liu Jin Jun is a member of the Liu Family, famous for generations of performing artists.  All five brothers and sisters work either as acrobats or magicians and Liu Jin Jun himself is a master of the clowning art.  His career began in a performing arts group attached to the China National Railways, which is composed of a cultural Troupe, acrobats, dancers, and clowns.  China National Railways is affiliated with the National China Acrobatics Troupe. Liu Jin Jun has continued performing ever since and children are magically drawn to his shows.  He continuously develops his talent, such as when he studied drama and mime techniques with French actress and former Magic Hospital clown consultant Claire O'Mallet

We are proud and honored that Liu Jin Jun is not only the longest member of the Magic Hospital Team, but he also received a Magic Hospital Award for five years of loyalty and laughter Spring 2008.

Li Zhongbao has worked with Magic Hospital since 2005 and won our hearts with his soft, tacit humor that critically sick and fragile children respond so positively to.  Li began his performance career in 2002 in Beijing, and then later became an apprentice of Magician Master Fu Tenglong and Fu Qifeng, a researcher of magic and acrobatics.  He is a performer with Beijing Magic Jiu Jiu Company and also a member of Beijing Magician Club specializing in traditional magic.  It is not only his oversized shoes with big yellow stars on them that make Li Zhong Bao shine.  It is his kind heart and warm smile that attracts the children who cannot seem to get enough of his magic.

China Director
Shakira Miracle joined Magic Hospital in 2007, first as the Programs Coordinator and later as the Director of Development.  As the China Director, she is responsible for managing the overall function of the team in China, as well as fundraising.  She originally came to China through a study abroad program in 1999, which led to her interest in Chinese history and its people.  Shakira’s passion to serve has led to a career in the nonprofit and government sectors in China, Canada, and the United States.  She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and is currently pursuing an MBA in Nonprofit Management from Hope International University.
Email:  shakira.miracle@magichospital.org

Accountant, China
Liu Renhong has reliably managed Magic Hospital’s accounting since January 2006.  Her education and experience in her field are top notch.  Renhong has been the accountant in a managing or consulting role for more than 10 companies over the years.  She received her degree in Finance from Renmin University and her Fiscal Qualifcatory Certificate.

MAP - Music and Art Program

Music Enrichment
Chiara Menegazzi leads the music program at Guang'Ai Migrant Worker School.  Chiara has been a steadfast Magic Hospital team member since 2006.  After one year of study and research at the People's University of Beijing with a scholarship from the Chinese government, she decided to stay in China. In addition to her work with MH, Chiara is a project coordinator for an Italian NGO in the field of education. Interested in social issues since college and fond of children, she has volunteered for several projects in Italy and abroad. Chiara received a degree in Chinese Language and Culture from Venice University.

Art Therapy, Beijing
Hou Jingyuan (Emily) joined Magic Hospital in 2004 and leads the art workshops at Beijing University Children’s Hospital.  Having majored in Fine Arts, she was a perfect fit for the program.  Emily is very fond of children and therefore is currently pursuing a degree in Child Psychology from the Beijing Business School so as to get a deeper insight into their mental and physical development. Emily received a Magic Hospital award for her loyalty and continuous support in Spring 2008.

Dong Lanjing is another one of our newest additions.  She leads the art workshops at Ertong Children's Hospital.  Lanjing studied Preschool Education at Xishui Broadcasting College and is currently pursuing her bachelor degree in Art and Advertisement from TsengHua University.

Pro Bono Experts
Timothy Sze, Ph.D., has worked in Beijing as an In-House Lawyer and HR specialist for various investment, IT, and Media companies since 1999 and is now the Country Manager for an International Climate Change Investment Fund. Some of Tim's volunteering experiences include: British Refugee Council, BICF, Classical Chinese Literature Publishing Fund, and Mosuo Cultural Development Association. He was trained in law and business at Peking University, Hong Kong Shue Yan College, and The College of Law of England and Wales. Tim received his LL.M. from University of Westminster, London, and his Ph.D. in Law and Society from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Tim helps Magic Hospital with our questions regarding Chinese regulations, registration, and general legal support.

Core Volunteers - behind the scenes

Volunteer Coordinator, Beijing

Community Liaison
Zhang Wentao, Ph.D., has been passionately dedicated to Magic Hospital since 2005.  She provides support in a number of areas, including liaising with government, institutions, program teams, and waving her wand to magically resolve difficult situations from time to time. This bio is but a glimpse of her incredible list of accolades and professional experience.  Wentao holds an EMBA from Wharton Business School, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and an M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Rutgers University, as well as a B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University.  She is the CEO of SciLight Biotechnology in Beijing.

Secretary

Constanze Maronde joined Magic Hospital in 2007 as China Coordinator and is now a dedicated core volunteer.  After studying English, French, and Spanish in Heidelberg, she completed an apprenticeship in business administration with Degussa Chemicals. Later, Constanze worked as a Senior Assistant with Goldman Sachs in Frankfurt.  Inspired by her family's strong focus on charity work and children, she has been active in community work since the age of 15.  Besides bringing happiness to children, one of the things she particularly enjoys about the Magic Hospital Team is working internationally with friends from China and all over the world.

Ma Yanfei (Zoe) has been a key member of the Magic Hospital volunteers since 2005.  Zoe provides support in a number of areas, including translation, programs, and annual events.  She works as a translator and web-editor in Beijing. Zoe holds a BA in Economics from the Central University of Finance and Economics.

Fiammetta Mancini (Fiammi) is constantly seeking ways to serve China and its children. As a Magic Hospital volunteer, Fiammi takes on a number of leadership roles, from planning and executing an Outdoorsy Day event to T-Shirt Day Team Leader. After having studied Chinese as a hobby for a few years, she holds a BA and MA in Chinese from Ca'Foscari University of Venice.  Currently, she is pursuing a long-distance MSc in Sustainable Development with SOAS/University of London. Fiammi moved to China on a scholarship for a one year specialization at Beijing Language University in 2005 and is currently working as the Sichuan Program Coordinator for the Vocational Training Program of the Italian Development Cooperation in China.

Magic Hospital would like to thank our former staff members who will remain lifelong team members: