This is the fourth part of a weekly series published by Shenzhen Daily on local expat communities. This series aims to reflect expats’ lives in Shenzhen, the difficulties they encounter and the community services in place and on the way to assist them.

    anna.whizh@yahoo.com

    PEOPLE from different countries keep moving in and out of Shekou for different reasons, but those who live there like to call the place home because of its family-oriented community.

    When dusk falls, streets that are quiet in the daytime soon buzz as people finish the day’s work and gather at the local pubs, bars and restaurants. Some even venture out with their whole family with their little ones in baby carriages. Expats who come to Shekou for the first time won’t find themselves estranged from the local community as long as they are willing to step into a few such places.

    The Shekou Sports and Social Club, better known as Snake Pit, is one of the oldest places where expats and Chinese can meet and gather for fun. Despite constant changes to the club’s organizing committee during the last three decades, the events are still appealing to expats and Chinese alike.

    Every Wednesday night, touch rugby games are held. People can enjoy time with friends every Saturday with the Hash running and walking events to nearby places in Guangdong Province and Hong Kong. There are also bike trips every Sunday around Shenzhen.

    Quite a few charity events that raise money for orphanages, schools and hospitals are also held.

    Dan Pippen, an American who served on the committee for more than 10 years, helped raise 200,000 yuan (US$31,500) for the first emergency room in the old Shekou People’s Hospital. He is now a member of Captivating International, an NGO dedicated to organizing charities throughout China. The organization is currently raising money for a girls’ school in Qinghai Province.

    Pippen, who first arrived in Shekou in 1995, said he loves Shekou’s uniqueness, its convenience and its collection of people from different cultures around the world.

    Owen Burrows, a financial advisor from England, is one of the five members on the current committee who has organized a few charitable gatherings. He said the events are good social activities and give back to the community in which people live and work.

    Gary Isse, who is raising his family in Shekou, said the number one reason he wants to stay in Shekou is that it’s a great community-minded area to raise his daughters. “Many expats who used to live in Beijing and Shanghai are moving to Shekou. It’s an international community here in Shekou,” he said.