Orange Care

Project Introduction

As TNT China's main corporate social responsibility project, Orange Care was officially launched in March 2006 to help AIDS orphans. Together with the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF), TNT China will establish an AIDS Orphan Special Foundation of 3 million in the next five years. The funds will be used to provide continuous schooling and improve the quality of life for at least 600 HIV/AIDS orphans in Dehong County in Yunnan.

Why initiate this project?
In China, AIDS is still a sensitive topic that is avoided when possible. While accurate statistics are still being calculated, paying full attention to AIDS and AIDS orphan needs to happen now. China has about 650,000 HIV carriers. This number is increasing rapidly over the years. Currently, China has 76,000 AIDS orphans, children whose parents died of AIDS. Among AIDS orphans, only a very small portion is HIV positive. By 2010, the number will reach between 150,000 to 250,000.

Why Dehong Yunnan?
Yunnan is the province in China most impacted by AIDS and Dehong is the most seriously infected county as it is close to the Golden Triangle that is known for drug-trafficking. Since drugs are very inexpensive in Dehong, its use among local residents, especially the men, is very common. Drug induced AIDS and the number AIDS deaths are increasing very rapidly over the years. The central government and the Yunnan government have classified Dehong as the “most critical area” of AIDS infected regions in China.

Death due to AIDS is common in Dehong. In some families, both the father and mother are infected and die of AIDS. What these people leave behind are despaired spouses who might commit suicide or desert the local vicinity. In turn, children from these families are left to the care of poor grandparents or to underfunded schools or local governments. These children are what we commonly referred to as AIDS orphan. Among AIDS orphans, only a small portion is HIV positive where the infection source is birth.

"School is the only sacred ground"
In the drug-ridden Dehong, children may be seduced to drug as young as 8-9 years old. School is the only sacred ground. Focusing on children and education are an important measure against drug and AIDS. In schools, drug and AIDS prevention are mandatory courses. The children that go to school can inform their relatives and friends about the harms of drug and hence help prevent the use of drugs and spread of AIDS.

TNT Partner – China Youth Development Foundation
Established in 1989 in Beijing, China Youth Development Foundation is China's biggest public funded foundation under China Communist Youth League. Its primary goal is to improve the education and living conditions of youth. The well-known Hope Project and “Mother River Protection Operation” are all charitable projects organized by CYDF. AIDS related projects are the focus of CYDF in recent years where it has launched programs such as the Red-Ribbon Action and AIDS Orphan assistance projects.

How does TNT AIDS Orphan Special Fund operate?
TNT and CYDF have established an AIDS Orphan Special Foundation at CYDF which will have a management office chaired by both CYDF and TNT. TNT China Corporate Communications Department and CYDF Partner Center will be responsible for the daily operation of the foundation.

How do we help the AIDS orphans?
Most of the AIDS orphans we assist are between the ages of 5-12 years old. We are sponsoring them 550 RMB per year as their annual living and school miscellaneous fee. We are also supporting middle school children whose sponsorship amount is at 770 RMB per year. In addition, we will organize relevant AIDS prevention and awareness activities in conjunction with the schools.