Chinese-buit orphanage handed over to Cape Town, S. Africa

The China House, a project donated by the Chinese community, was handed over to the Baphumelele Orphanage in Cape Town on Monday.

The handover coincided with the International Children's Day which falls on June 1.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Tian Xuejun said the House "is a very precious holiday gift for the children".

He took the opportunity to thank South Africa Soong Ching Ling Foundation which funded the project and friends from various sectors for their support for the China House project.

The China House occupies 1, 000 square meters with a building area of 500 square meters consisting of nine rooms at a cost of 2. 2 million rand (about 183,000 U.S. dollars) which can accommodate 38 orphans.

Tian Xuejun praised the China House as both beautiful and practical, meeting the children's need for living, studying and entertaining.

"It is not only a sweet home, but also serves to further strengthen their love for and confidence in the country, the society and life," said the ambassador.

The completion of China House, he said, is a happy event in the Year of China in South Africa, carrying the deep friendship of the local Chinese community and friends from all walks of life, and provides a vivid annotation to the Year of China in South Africa.

"As a representative of the local Chinese community, the South Africa Soong Ching Ling Foundation has shown to the South African people through its charity work, the Chinese people's traditional value of benevolence, and demonstrated the good image and social responsibility of the Chinese community in South Africa," Tian Xuejun said.

Xianglan Li, Vice President of the Foundation, said the handover of China House serves to demonstrate the commitment of the Chinese community to the local community and as a milestone of friendship between the Chinese people and the people of Africa.

Li said the Foundation prides itself in paying back to the local community by having built the China House, the first facility given by the Chinese to the City of Cape Town to house local orphans.

Patricia de Lille, Mayor of Cape Town, expressed her gratitude for the care and love shown by the Chinese community towards the underprevilidged and the poor.

"It is showing us that you care about our children," she said. "We're living in a global village and the children belong to all of us all over the world".

"Thank you for choosing Cape Town to build this house for our children," the mayor added.

The House, she said, also shows the friendship between the peoples of South Africa and China.

The mayor also praised the "wonderful" Chinese community for its contribution to the local economy.

Established six years ago, the Foundation has enthusiastically involved itself in South African public good for women and children, actively raised money and materials and carried out donation activities for local orphanage every year. Endi