Fuyang AIDS Orphans Attend the Beijing Olympics

During the 2008 Olympics in Beijing last month, a group of children were able to attend the historic event, meeting some of the star athletes, and experience some of the amazing architecture and sites created for the Games. The children, all of whom are orphans in China living with HIV-AIDS, are under the care of the Fuyang AIDS Orphan Salvation Association, and several were featured in the 2006 Oscar-winning documentary film "The Blood of Yingzhou District" by Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon about Chinese orphans with AIDS struggling to survive. Here are some photos from their trip:

 

(Above includes skating champion Yang Yang)

(Above includes billiards champion Pan Xiaoting)

About the Fuyang AIDS Orphan Salvation Assocation

AOS is one of the few community-based, non-governmental organizations that specifically supports children affected by HIV/AIDS. AOS is located in Fuyang, Anhui, and is officially registered with the Health Bureau and the Civil Affairs Bureau of Fuyang City.

AOS began by providing a few HIV-positive children with physical examinations in Beijing and anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment. Since then, the organization has partnered with local hospitals that provide medical care to the affected children. AOS now gives financial, educational, vocational education, treatment and emotional support to about 500 children affected by HIV/AIDS. The children come from over 300 separate families in 40 different villages. AOS also organized “Happy Weekend ” activities every week for children to help them eliminate discrimination and psychological barriers.

Volunteers of AOS teach these children English, music, and art lessons in a harmonious environment and let the children get rid of shadow of AIDS. AOS provides a platform for meaningful interactions among AIDS patients, children affected by HIV/AIDS, government officials, medical professionals, and individuals concerned about the AIDS epidemic.