Signs of progress for prisoners' children

"I don't know what to say or how to talk to him," said Sun, who was sent to the branch at the age of 12 after his mother killed herself and his father was imprisoned. He said he had no idea why his father was imprisoned, as his relatives did not tell him, and he rarely returns home.

"Even though my father was released several years ago, I like staying at the farm because I have a sense of security," he said.

Zhang said volunteers play a key role in Sun Village's operations.

One 43-year-old volunteer, who said he wanted to be known as Xiao Feng, has helped children at the Beijing branch with their math and English homework for 15 years. At the beginning, he spent weekends there, but he later quit his job at a software company and became a full-time volunteer.

"I like being with the children," he said. "Answering their questions is my happiest time."

Xiao Feng said his father did not approve of his life as a volunteer, but he hoped he would understand one day.

Zhao Changxu, 30, who works for Air China, carried 10 boxes of spicy sauce to the children in Beijing from his hometown in Henan after the Spring Festival holiday. After visiting the branch with his colleagues last year, he often comes to play with the children on weekends.

His mother, a psychologist, provides voluntary psychological aid to children at the NGO's Henan branch.

Financial transparency

Some people have accused Zhang of using Sun Village to make money.

"At first, I was angry with the doubters," she said. "But now I don't care too much. What I need to do is to prove myself and my aid through actions."

Sun Village has also been accused of a lack of financial transparency, but Zhang said she has disclosed audit reports on donations for the past five years online and welcomes public supervision and suggestions.

Although the civil affairs authorities should now be the first choice when it comes to caring for inmates' children, Zhang said she plans to develop the NGO and transform the form of aid it provides.

In recent years, she has put more effort into working with prisons to offer indirect financial aid instead of looking after children at the branches. "Prisons collect information about children in need, and we offer them tuition or stationery," she said.

But Zhang said the branches' buildings and facilities will not be abandoned. "Maybe I can provide job opportunities for ex-inmates or retired people to continue my aid to others," she said.