Thousands of lost children have been reunited with their
families in the past four years thanks to a government campaign to
help homeless youths.
Since August 1, 2003, the Relief and Protection Center for
Homeless Children in Guangzhou has assisted 4,158 homeless
children, a spokesperson for the Guangzhou bureau of civil affairs,
in the southern province of Guangdong, said.
With the help of family and relatives, and the support of the
center, 3,993 children have returned to their hometowns.
So far this year, the center has taken in 845 homeless minors,
almost 32 percent more than the same period last year.
Last month, the bureau of civil affairs launched a citywide aid
campaign for homeless children. So far "dozens" of youngsters have
been sent to the center.
Most homeless children are known to roam public places such as
railway and bus stations, temples and hospitals.
Civil affairs officials must not only help reunite homeless
children with their families, but also combat criminal elements
that force children to beg or break the law.
Official figures show that among the homeless children being
cared for by the protection center, almost 88 percent are from
other provinces, and 72 percent are boys.
As many as 59 percent of the children have committed crimes and
86 percent left home due to family problems, including the divorce
of parents and abandonment.
Twelve children have stayed at center for at least two years,
because their families cannot be located.
"Some children have left home for a long time, while others have
mental illnesses. They cannot provide proper information about
their families to us, making it very difficult to find their
families," Lu Ai, the vice-director of the center, said.
(China Daily October 25, 2007)