Blind children move to new home in Beijing

Although Christmas is still on its way, a group of blind children are spending happy Christmas afternoons weeks ahead at their new home.

A newly built orphanage in a northwest suburb in Beijing is the new home for blind children with autism, brain paralysis and learning difficulties.

"Some of them never say a word, but we can tell their feelings from their facial expressions," said Jiang Nan, project manager of the orphanage, which is supported by Bethel, a non-governmental organization that provides homes for blind children in China.

After singing Christmas songs like Jingle Bells, 15-year-old Zhen Guang kept waving his hands, eyes closed and a smile on his face.

Zhen is the oldest among the six blind children here. The youngest one is an 8-year-old boy, who was lying on a stroller and looks younger.

The six children can't live by themselves and need special care, said Jiang.

She said that if these children settle down well in their new home, the orphanage will accommodate about 40 more blind children.

"These children can't live and behave like other children, but we can see their improvements day by day. When I heard that they can eat by themselves, I was very excited," said Dong Ning, country director of Bethel.

"Our main donations now still come from overseas donors. We're struggling with our finances and we would really appreciate help from companies," said Dong.