Olympic volunteers start to work

Volunteers prepare for providing services at a street stall in Niujie street in Beijing, capital of China, July 23, 2008. As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games approaches, more than 400,000 volunteers have been working at 550 street stalls around Beijing since July, providing information, emergency aid and translation services for people from around the world. A total of 74,615 volunteers will provide services at Games venues, the Olympic Village and media centers of the Olympic Games. In addition, one million "social volunteers" have been helping to keep traffic and maintain social order in the communities and townships of Beijing.(Xinhua Photo)

Volunteers work at a street stall at the Niujie Mosque in Beijing, capital of China, July 23, 2008. As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games approaches, more than 400,000 volunteers have been working at 550 street stalls around Beijing since July, providing information, emergency aid and translation services for people from around the world. (Xinhua Photo)

Photo taken on July 23, 2008 shows a Fuwa, mascot of the Beijing Olympics Games, hungs at a street stall at the Niujie Mosque in Beijing, capital of China. As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games approaches, more than 400,000 volunteers have been working at 550 street stalls around Beijing since July, providing information, emergency aid and translation services for people from around the world. (Xinhua Photo)

A volunteer (1st R), who is an Arabic translator, introduces to other volunteers how to serve people in the religious sites at the Niujie Mosque in Beijing, capital of China, July 23, 2008. As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games approaches, more than 400,000 volunteers have been working at 550 street stalls around Beijing since July, providing information, emergency aid and translation services for people from around the world.(Xinhua Photo)

Tian Kaili, who is an Chinese-American and also a volunteer, hangs Olympic wishing cards on a tree at a street stall in Niujie street in Beijing, capital of China, July 23, 2008. As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games approaches, more than 400,000 volunteers have been working at 550 street stalls around Beijing since July, providing information, emergency aid and translation services for people from around the world. (Xinhua Photo)