Joys and troubles

The public's anti-abduction fight has been attracting more attention from the government. "Because of our suggestions, the local police have changed their model in which they waited 24 hours before taking action," Zhang said. "Now, once they receive reports, they must start finding the children immediately."

Based on the public's urging and Zhang's suggestion, the MPS has set up a DNA database. The ministry aims to link all the country's 236 DNA laboratories so that they can share information about missing children by the end of May.

The database will also include DNA from the parents of abducted children and samples will be taken from children who are suspected of having been abducted or vagrant children with an unclear history.

Zhang's successes come with risks. He and other groups are often threatened.

"Some volunteers were exposed to criminals while trying to get clues or reminding parents of being cautious," Zhang said. "We must try our best to protect the volunteers from threats to their lives."

In addition, the social groups' passion may not be echoed by government bureaus. "We hope to put the information of children in orphanages online so that parents have access to this information .But the civil affairs bureau always rejects our plan as they think we are violating the children's' privacy," Zhang said.

Lack of money is another problem. Zhang uses her three computers to run the website, where volunteers and parents can register for free.

"My husband Qin Yanyou is a professor and I work full time running the website with his income," Zhang said.

"We received donations of about 10,000 yuan and spent it helping the freed children go to school or see doctors," Zhang said, "Now I want to build a foundation to be able to reward those who report useful clues."

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2009)