Marian Children Home

Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China

Since the “one-child policy” was enforced in China in 1993 as a means of population control, many girl- and handicapped-infants were abandoned by their parents in the hope of conceiving and raising a boy, which, traditionally, would carry the family name and is therefore much preferred.

In the past years Madam Zhun, a fervent Catholic, had picked up more than 600 babies. Since there was no permanent home for the children, Madam Zhun worked with kind hearted families for temporary stay for these children. Each child, therefore, was moved from one place to another throughout the year.

In 2003 Father Joseph Tai visited Fujian. He wanted the children to have a loving and caring home and started planning and funding this new children home. Unfortunately he died of cancer a year later in October 2004.

Bishop Che of Sai-Qi showed his sympathy to the children and allowed them to stay in the building assigned originally as priests’ quarters, until Madam Zhun could find a permanent home for the children.

Through various organizations’ kindness and funding in the past three years, including the contribution of the Nathan Yip Foundation, land was bought and money was raised to build a 5 stories Children Home of approximately 2000 Sq. Meter. Currently this building is under construction and will be ready for these mentally and physically challenged children, or abandoned girls, to have a permanent and loving home in October 2007.