Help could be at hand for families in Beijing's Chaoyang District living on limited means.

The Beijing Chaoyang Charity Organization has raised 40 million yuan (US$4.9 million) since it was established on July 1, its president Wang Lin said yesterday.

"We are hugely grateful to our generous supporters," Wang said. "With money and materials, we will be able to begin caring for those in our district who are in dire need."

The charity organization has just delivered its first batch of aid to people who are not adequately covered by government social security.

The charity pooled 2.2 million yuan (US$271,200) to provide medical care for 1,000 poor and ailing mothers aged over 55, restore hearing in a dozen deaf children, and offer three years of tuition fees to senior high school students from poverty-stricken families.

Despite breakneck economic growth, Chaoyang has seen growing disparity between high and low earners. By this May, high-income families earned 4.6 times more than less-advantaged ones, according to a survey by the Chaoyang district government.

Official figures show 14,000 Chaoyang residents claim a monthly allowance of 290 yuan (US$35.8) per person from the government.

"The charity will serve as a bridge between those who want to help and those who badly need help," Wang said. "We always emphasize transparency and accountability in collecting and using charity funds."

The central authorities have vowed to improve a social security system that highlights the role of charities.

(China Daily October 27, 2005)