A website focused on health has donated five million yuan to establish a fund to help improve the mental and physical well being of underprivileged children in China.

In a press conference in Beijing Tuesday, H863.com gave the money to China Children and Teenagers’ Fund (CCTF) to establish the foundation.

China has 20 million left-at-home children in the countryside whose parents are working in cities and towns around the country to support the family. In urban areas, a large number of children are living in divorced, single-parent, and impoverished families.

According to a CCTF report, “these children have the high potential of developing psychological illnesses.” It is hoped the new fund will help improve their well-being.

Gu Xiulian, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and director of CCTF, addressed the press conference.

She said the money will be used to train school teachers where left-behind children live to help them better communicate with the children and guide them in study and life.

Most of these children cannot receive a proper family education as they live with their grandparents or relatives; some even live on their own. Gu says it is equally urgent to help problematic children in cities who tend to develop inward, cold and even antisocial behavior.

Part of the funds will be used for impoverished children to treat their kidney illnesses, a serious health problem for many Chinese children. China currently has 2 million children between the ages of two and 14 who have unhealthy kidneys.

In the first phase of using the funds, 200 children in rural areas will have the chance to have their kidney problems cured free of charge.

Member of the International Olympic Committee He Zhenliang was present at the press conference. In his speech He said was pleased to see the development of charity for children in China as they are the “future of the country and hope for the nation”.

(China Daily January 9, 2008)