Hunan Orphan-Support Program

While orphans in China generally receive a satisfactory level of material support, working-age orphans often face challenges such as insufficient academic knowledge and skills, lack of career development planning, difficulties in finding employment, and poor mental health conditions. In line with the national policy on skill-based poverty alleviation, Xiangxi Love Park, the first orphan welfare institution in the Xiangxi autonomous prefecture - one of the poorest districts in Hunan Province, collaborated with Hunan Architecture Senior Technical School and the architecture and construction industry. Love Park served as the source of support for orphans, the technical school provided vocational education, and the industry offered employment opportunities for orphans upon graduation. This case study examines the four key strategies implemented: financial support, skill development and employment assistance, mentorship programs, and mental health support. This chapter also showcases a successful poverty alleviation case in Tianjin municipality, where The Tianjin Women and Children Development Foundation's "Five Support and One Insurance" initiative aided low-income single mothers in the municipality, enhancing their overall well-being, and alleviating poverty by providing support in key areas such as living conditions, healthcare, entrepreneurship, education, and emotional well-being. The chapter further explores an overseas community self-help project in Kenya, where orphan relief efforts were integrated into the community's poverty alleviation initiatives.