Ministry of Civil Affairs announces new policy – Subsidies for those adopting AIDS orphans
[CCTV, 10 August 2004]
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2004-08-10/14323988382.shtml

These days we keep reporting the news of the summer camp for AIDS orphans in Beijing. Yesterday, the 72 orphans arrived in Beijing. Some children told the journalist that they had already received many kinds of help, but that they had no clear ideas about their lives in the future. China is seeing a rapid growth in the number of AIDS orphans, so how can one guarantee their lives? Experts say that government departments are preparing a policy providing families who adopt AIDS orphans with financial subsidies.

The 72 orphans, came from five provinces including Henan. Their parents have died of AIDS. At present, most of them are living on support they receive from government departments.

Reporter: What will you do about money in the future?
AIDS orphan: Some people will give it.
Reporter: What people?
AIDS orphan: The old people.
Reporter: Have you thought about how you will live in the future?
AIDS orphan: I don’t know either

According to the estimates of the China CDC, by the end of 2010 China will have nearly 140,000 AIDS orphans. It is estimated that their living and medical expenses will total at least many tens of millions of yuan [RMB].

Experts indicate that at present dedicated funds for this group have not let been distributed, but national authorities are in the process of setting measures [to do so].

Li Qimin, a member of the working committee for Caring for the Next Generation, says the amount that each person will receive for raising each child is not net known, but the policy is currently being researched and will soon be released. The Ministry of Civil Affairs will represent the government in setting this policy.

According to the organizers, this activity will be held again next year, with an expanded number of AIDS orphans participating.

Post-AIDS

These children have lost both parents, and are effectively disconnected from both family and society. The feelings of loneliness and disconnection are difficult for many AIDS orphans to bear. Using financial subsidies to encourage families to raise these children will allow more children to return home and grow up in a loving, healthy family environment.

AIDS orphans thirst for the love of a family

The national policy is in the process of being set, but just a policy is not enough. It is still essential to have the full participation of society, to have more people concerned for them [orphans]. These children’s parents died of AIDS, but they are healthy children. Though they are not themselves infected, because they were in the proximity of AIDS, people are worried about the state of their lives.

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