YANG FAN and Brad Bauer, who migrated from the United States to settle down in Shenzhen five years ago, launched the California Sunshine Foundation to improve the welfare of local orphans Sunday (Jan 28).

The California-registered nonprofit organization will raise funds to help disabled and sick children get medical treatment so that families wanting to adopt can more easily accept them, Bauer said at the launch ceremony at the Riviera housing estate.

"We also hope that our efforts will draw people's attention to a different way of expanding their families - through adoption," he said.

The Bauers, who adopted a son and a daughter before having a child of their own, are also running a California Kids Club to offer after-school programs for children. Part of the profits from the club will go to the Sunshine foundation.

"We are fully aware of the unsatisfactory situation in some orphanages and social welfare centers in China due to the lack of funds. Some children suffer from disabling diseases that can be cured, but their future happiness is hindered without timely treatment. The best environment for children to grow up in is a loving family, and we hope to do something to help the poor kids find families," Bauer said.

The Sunshine foundation's first program, named "Love Dreamworks," will enlist 20 local volunteer families to spend a day and night with 20 orphans from Shenzhen Social Welfare Center. Arrangements will be made for the families to take the children to Hong Kong Disneyland, according to Li Yanyan, a hostess with Shenzhen Radio 898 that is cosponsoring the program. "We are also planning a trip that will take several orphans to observe the national flag-raising ceremony in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing," she told the Shenzhen Daily.

The program will kick off in two weeks, she said.

Editor: Wing