Originally founded by the international group Medecins Sans Frontiers five years ago, Xinxing Aid for Street Kids is now fully independent and China’s first NGO for street kids. The center offers safety, protection and an environment where children have a chance to rebuild their lives. If possible, Xinxing reunites children with their families or relatives.

One of Xinxiang’s success stories is A Buli (children's names have been changed), a young boy who, on his way to school, was kidnapped by a stranger and forced onto a train to Xian. There he lived with one other boy and six adults. The adults taught the boys how to steal wallets and mobile phones. In Hanzhong city in Shaanxi, the boys were caught trying to steal and handed over to the local police, who took Buli to the local relief station, which referred him to Xinxing. The team at Xinxing were able to locate Buli’s father in Xinjiang who traveled to Baoji to be reunited with his son and take him home.

But not all of Xinxing’s forgotten children are so lucky. Huang Ping’s date of birth and origins are unknown. Now about 12 years old, Ping was adopted as a baby. At age 9, her adoptive family had a baby of their own and abandoned Ping, who ended up living on the streets. Ping has been in many places and has endured abuse, at one time she was forced to work with adults in “beauty parlors.” Because Ping cannot remember details of her past, the center is unable to find her family or relatives. Now in first grade in Xinxing’s school, her teachers describe Ping as very hard-working and adaptable. The center has written to the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Ping may be transferred to a welfare center. With no hukou and no identity though, her future is uncertain.

To learn more about Xinxing or to contribute much needed funds, [log onto] (http://www.xinxingaid.org.cn/en/index.asp).