A joyful summer for left-behind children in Hangzhou

Eight-year-old Siqi has a similar experience. She is also among the local left-behind. Her dream, like that of all the other girls, is to have a Barbie doll, and to dress herself as the Barbie does. The Hangzhou Home Education Group satisfied her wish, but also reminded her that the beauty inside people was as much important as, if not more than, the beauty they exhibit.

On the other side of the program were 15 urban families that answered the call to help the local left-behind children. They brought cakes and biscuits, which were rare delicacies, to the rural children. Children living in the city also made handicrafts, such as wands and headbands, to their pals living in the rural area.

The idea behind the program was to "enrich" the summer vacation for the left-over children in the form of various games and activities, something would ensure the rural children could enjoy a same happy summer like children in the city. At the same time, urban kids learnt to cherish their happy life, and to help the people in need.

Hangzhou government has paid special attention to the left-behind children in recent years. The city has constructed a service system for these children, gathering various social resources to help them. A report on the local portal Hangzhou.com.cn suggested, the city has more than 14,400 left-behind children.

So far, 117 left-behind children clubs have been built, and 3,875 "care-taking parents”, have been found for the kids, among other government-led measures to improve the living conditions for the left-behind children, to give them a better environment for their growth.