AIDS is a national problem in China. There are currently 3,500 AIDS orphans in Henan Province alone. (Photo : Reuters)
During lunchtime, children go to the welfare house canteen to be served hot dishes. These children live at the Sunshine Home for AIDS orphans located in Henan Province's Shangcai County.
Sixteen-year-old Tiantian, a resident of the welfare house, said that "many elder brothers and sisters who once lived here have entered college. I want to go to college to learn automobile design in the future."
Tiantian is a high-school student who goes to school located a kilometer away from the welfare house. After her parents died from AIDS 10 years ago, she was adopted by the government and put in the welfare house.
The welfare house opened in 2003 and currently houses 148 orphans under the custody of the welfare staff. Since its opening, the welfare house has cared and raised about 300 AIDS orphans. Among the orphans, 50 of whom went to universities and about 100 went and enrolled in vocational schools.
The orphanage consists of a residential area, playgrounds and sports facilities.
During the decades of '80s and '90s, illegal blood sales proliferated and many of those for sale were infected with the HIV virus. The death of so many people left hundreds of orphans.
In 2003, the government started constructing orphanages specifically to care for these children. Government statistics reveal that there are currently 3,500 AIDS orphans in Henan Province and most of them are living with their next of kins.
A provincial civil affairs department official said that the AIDS orphans are included in the government's social security policy and are given up to 1,000 yuan every month for living allowance and education. Medical expenses are taken care of by the government.
