HONG KONG- An international charity run by Chinese Americans has launched a fundraising campaign for its joint project with World Vision China to operate a Children’s Home in Tianjin.

Kenneth Yeung, founder and director of the Prince of Peace (POP) Foundation, has attended a press conference in Hong Kong for the fundraising campaign. Top leaders from the leading Christian media Goodnews Communication International (GNCI) and the SAR Philharmonic Orchestra have also presented. POP Foundation gave a presentation for its ministy in Tianjin’s Children’s home.

According to POP Foundation, the POP Children’s Home sets a precedent in China: for the first time, the government has allowed a foreign organization to build, staff and manage an orphanage. The years-long negotiation with the Ministry of Civil Affairs has breakthrough in May 2001. In October 2003, the Children's Home began operation and welcomed its first group of babies.

The project is fully funded by POP's Foundation and the Civil Affairs Bureau of Wuqing, Tianjin, and managed by World Vision China. Located at Wuqing District of Tianjin, the three partners invested more than RMB 6.55 million to construct 49,000 sq. ft. of floor space over a compound of 1.5 acres. The facility can accommodate 100 children under six and provide rehabilitation services to the disabled among them..

Currently all 53 children at the Home, ranging from six months to four years old, are suffering from various congenital illnesses such as cerebral palsy, glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, Down Syndrome and albinism.

By collaborating with World Vision, which has years of experiences collaborating with various social welfare institutions in China, including orphan care, the Children’s Home can recruit expert childcare consultants from China and abroad to help plan services and train staff to ensure quality care at the Home.

Meanwhile, a huge fundraising concert will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Center on May 28. It features the performance by the eight most famous singers and the 200-member choir from the SAR Philharmonic Orchestra.

Founded in 1994, POP Foundation was an advocate committed to the business of promoting and educating American and Asian families in the adoption of children. Over the years, it has facilitated more than a hundred families in America to successfully adopt children. Currently, it will focus on serving handicapped children who are currently not adoptable due to their special needs. Yeung, founder of POP Foundation, is also the CEO of the Prince of Peace Enterprises, Inc.

[Editor's Note: Chris Chan reported from Hong Kong for this article.]