China's orphans got a much－needed boost on Sunday as the country marked International Children's Day. It was announced that with the help of an international foundation for orphans, a new children's village is to be built in suburban Tianjin.
June 1 is a special day that all children receive love and happiness. In a village in suburban Tianjin, a special ceremony was held there to show the love to Chinese orphans by international community. "
"Let me take care of you as good as myself, and the world will become more beautiful." were words from the song delivered by a volunteer, at the ground breaking ceremony for a new children's village. The plan for the new village, located in suburban Tianjin City, a one and a half hour drive from Beijing, became a reality with the support of both the local government and the Philip Hayden foundation.
"China has a lot orphans.... We try to do our little part to make them happier.." said John Bentley, assistant director of Philip Hayden.
Donations for the project came in many different forms, such as design work, building materials, money and most importantly love and dedication to make the new children's village one of the best homes for orphaned children in China. The village will be able to accommodate 150 children and will create a normal family environment for the children.
According to a report from UNICEF, China had nearly 15 million orphaned children by the end of 2001. But there are only more than 200 city level orphanages, which are not nearly enough to provide good care to these children.
This model of a joint effort from both the government and an international foundation is expected to become a more common way to improve the living conditions of millions of orphaned children in China.
(CCTV.com June 2, 2003)
