The life of a six year old, anywhere in the world should be filled with bubbles and love and comfort and caring. For poor Ah Long, an HIV carrier from Guangxi Province, China, life is difficult and extremely lonely.
Both his parents died of AIDS and the poor child is too much on his own, doing his own washing, cooking and studying. His 84-year-old grandmother has planted vegetables for him and visits frequently. She cooks for him, for him, but will not live with the child.
Everyone else in his world, including the nearby primary school has rejected him. His only friend and companion is a dog named Lao Hei.
The Welfare department has also declined to take responsibility for the little boy and the monthly allowance of 70 yuan (about $US 10) he gets form the civil bureau is nowhere near enough.
The stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in China is powerful and it is totally responsible for this poor child’s neglect.
Since the 1980s, the disease has spread from the gay population and drug users to the general population, but there is still a total lack of education, understanding and a pervasive denial that fuels the fires of hatred and discrimination.
There is hope for Ah Long as after his story as published in Chinese newspapers one couple announced publicly that they would adopt the boy.
To date, however, this is yet to happen.
Many Chinese believe that AIDS only infects immoral people.
How could a six-year-old boy be immoral?
Leaving a six year old to fend for himself; many others would consider that immoral.
MDeeDubroff
Latest posts by MDeeDubroff (see all)
- Indian Curd-eating Contest Keeps Traditions Alive - April 24, 2012
- Robotic Jellyfish: Unlikely but Formidable Monitor of Earth’s Oceans - April 1, 2012
- Scientists to Try Cloning the Woolly Mammoth - March 31, 2012
SirBarmy
When you write something, leave your own damned opinion out of it at the end. Any good writer/reporter knows to do that.
Jim
How 'bout you follow YOUR own advise, you itinerant-reactionary. I bet you travel from board-to-board looking for stories that are written by writers who don't tow the Liberal-leftist line and post useless drivel so you can get your boo-hoo-whine fix for the day. If you don't like the story OR the site, GO LOITER SOMEWHERE ELSE!
LadyJayne
It's not YOUR page SirBarmy. Butt out. The author can do as they like and if it bothers you go somewhere else. This isn't the typical story in case you hadn't noticed and even if it WAS when it's your own page you can write about things any way you please. Oh, but I don't see YOU writing about anything your OWN page.
Chris
"Since the 1980s, the disease has spread from the gay population and drug users to the general population,"
That wording implies the LGBTQ population and drug users gave everyone HIV/AIDS. Which is false. Though, I know this example was probably not what SirBarmy was talking about but just giving my two cents on the matter.
Banana
[To "Chris"] Totally true. 🙂
name
Focus on the child people! It's absolutely amazing how just a few commenters have managed to make this incredibly sad story, about themselves somehow!
Rick
So if the Chinese believe that HIV only infects the immoral, what does that say about all the people who won't even go near him?
sam
people who won't go near him are heartless.
wads
LadyJayne,
So should I assume you would also support a hateful and racist article on your local newspaper or news cast? Because after all, it’s THEIR newspaper business, and THEIR television station. They should be allowed to state anything they wish to?
While the content of the opinions stated by the author in this article and that of my example is wildly different, the underlying principles should apply to both.
This website is still first and foremost a news site, not a personal blog.
David
Why are people like you so good at taking things out of context and bringing a discussion around to topics TOTALLY not related, and putting the attention on YOURSELF??? Basically you didn't make a valid point is what you meant to say. Like personal blogs AND websites, they are BOTH private property that YOU are invited on to read material, share information OR–are given the: do not trespass sign (depending on your activity, of course). So if you don't like this property, property that is NOT owned or managed by YOU, the visitor, go troll somewhere else.
person
having pointless arguments in the midst of this… truly brings out the finest quality in people. this confirms the theory that people are naturally a__holes.
lets take a moment to pray for this child
annoyed Texan
"Since the 1980s, the disease has spread from the gay population and drug users to the general population,… "
Please stop spreading lies.
The earliest known positive identification of the HIV virus comes from the Congo in 1959 and 1960 though genetic studies indicate that it passed into the human population from chimpanzees around fifty years earlier.[10] A recent study states that HIV probably moved from Africa to Haiti and then entered the United States around 1969.
johndoe
….. they're not spreading lies, and your response has nothing to do with the fact that its china they're talking about. the year in which it entered the united states has nothing to do with the date it entered china
DJG
I hope that kid grows up to be extraordinary.
shenoyjoseph
he never give up untill to reach the goal
http://techdraginfo.blogspot.com/
ZungHow
Wow, so much for China being one of the places I want to most visit.
http://www.privacy-tools.edu.tc
Ana Cristina Merino
This story just hearts the heart. The picture says a thousand words and its all lonely and sadness. I do pray for this kid.
Sylvia
God will adore this little boy and is keeping him going I bet the Lord has sent an angel to
oversee him. I hope he is never separated from his precious dog and the Lord sends
food from heaven for him. Lets hope somehow some westerners can adopt him NOT GAYS EITHER.
Anon
Yes. Please Lord, let him be adopted by a man and a woman who are only staying together because he knows if he leaves her she's going to take half of his possessions, and she's been sleeping with the pool boy since he's never home. Not some Bible thumping, gun-toting, holier-than-thou gay couple…
blahlala
Christ, I really hope this is a sarcastic reply to 'annoyed Texan'.
mom
I would take that little boy into my home in a heartbeat…Poor baby..He deserves to go to kindergarten, have love, be warm and safe…all the wonderful and BASIC things a child needs …Such a shame he isn't adopted into a better life:the poor babies of the world that are suffering from AIDS and a multitude of other deadly health issues..
Prayers to all the children and people of the world
Heal the World
Reporting IS the first step to helping the child. No one can help if they don't know about it. But the boy's Commi government officials are the one's who are at fault, not reporters.
Heal the World
Sorry about that; my reply was meant for the person below you (Anon). I selected the wrong reply button.
Anon
Why not setup some way of helping the child instead of just reporting, oh here is a child all alone and has AIDS, China is fucked up.
The writer who refuses to do anything and is just as guilty.
Heal the World
This poor little-one. I pray a loving person or family is moved to care for him. Besides that, he needs medical care as well. Just WOW that his own grandmother won't even bring him in to live with her. Fear is a powerful thing….
Just 2 let U know.
HIV was created in a lab by Dr. Stephen Gallo. The is no scientific case studies supporting the fact that AIDS is caused by HIV. These diseases suppress the immune system. The are far more dangerous, and contagious diseases than HIV, and AIDS.
chrisgalarza52
teh responses and arguments to this story are disgusting…. pray for the child, so much is being take out of context its sickening, this isn't a post against gays so stop sounding like such an a** .
namelessness
He's not being a troll, for one thing, because it is true. This is a news site and if you're willing (as well as everyone else, apparently) to defend this article with "It's my property, I'll do whatever I like" or "If you don't like it, leave" mentality then you might as well go and support FOX news because in the end, READERS want the FACTS – not OPINIONS.
Also, this article is not well-informed. Statements like;
"Since the 1980s, the disease has spread from the gay population and drug users to the general population,… "
are obviously generalized and wrong (if this were put into Wikipedia, a citation would be needed, which this doesn't have. Therefore, this "fact" is questionable.).
So, if the image of a "suffering" child has clouded the judgement of some if its readers from the actual problem (Cultural/Social stigma of HIV carriers) then I regard the validity of this article on the same level as a World Vision commercial, a pity party. And besides, WHY DON'T WE GET THE OPINION OF THE CHILD before we go and start pitying him. YOU'RE subjugating YOUR IDEALS onto someone else. Just the same as the European's thinking, that the Native Americans were savages.
friend
this is so sad and shows such ignornce i pray this yong man will go farad make his mother and father proud
my heart really goes out to him .
karen
Call Angie and Brad they will adopt another kid, but really what a shame I would bring in my home and care for him
anne
i have another room in my house. wish this boy lived close. somebody adopt him please and take care of him please.
mobiletracker
that god protect him…………….http://mobile–tracker.blogspot.com
Cobain Winehouse
how could this happening?
Deo Monroyo
I salute this boy.
Villa Iza
someone please help this boy.
Sa-aweya Legario Maripaga
Bless this boy and his companion dog.
Killme If You Can
I really want to go there and spend one full day with this child. It must be really depressing for him.
Cosmos Am-am
Heartrending! He’s not immoral, it’s the people who neglect him.
LR Marasigan
Must’ve been so hard for him. May God bless him and his dog. Calling The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria!
Princess Vng
Its ashame how society (including his grandma) neglect a child who can’t even take care of himself. He did not wrong…is a disease pass to him by his own parents n it can not be help. What in the world is wrong with these people. I hope someone…somebody…another country will step in n tell these people n put them in their place. Hope God strike these people down for turning this child away.
Rolex Alexsen
you will get infected
Kay Gempis
Mr. Alexsen kindly read this link so that you will know how hiv is transmitted.
http://www.aids.org/topics/aids-faqs/how-is-hiv-transmitted/
Sami Gardner
Rolex Alexsen : You’re a bit of an idiot. Thank God that isn’t infectious.
Andrea WN
Rolex Alexsen: how did you manage to get into a University?
Kathy-ann Bushay
Rolex Alexsen its a good thing that stupidity isn`t infectious; cause Your and insensitive-uneducated-stupid asshole !!
Mehnaz Sohawon
Guess Rolex is not educated about how HIV is transmitted. U need to be on the benches of school again mate!
Justin Rey
ROLEX ALEXSEN: Speak with Intelligence not Ignorance.
Toni Boswell
Rolex Alexsen: I thought Malayasian are educated, but I guess there got to be a stupid one in the bunch and that is you. This little boy didn’t asked to be borned under this circustances…count your blessing because it could of been YOU!!!!
Edel Rollon
I want to adopt this boy and give him the best of life, it’s unfair to treat him that way. Bless this boy for surviving on his own.
Rolex Alexsen
you’ll be infected
Xitij Thool
I think you are not understanding anything Rolex Alexsen, goes around here,don’t waste your time here.
Mehnaz Sohawon
Guess Rolex is not educated about how HIV is transmitted. U need to be on the benches of school again mate!
Janice Remolin
pls if posible…hope the best for this kid
Kristine Joy Borja Cunanan
I just cant stop crying right now……….
Jetsky Tribs
Please help this Kid.
every child is special..
Rosalie Laguna
why are they so crue? l,, they should be really thanking for it is not happening to them.
Sabrina A. Sabino
This is not an isolated case. Stigma against HIV/AIDS are present in all countries, not only in China. If you really want to help, do what you can to fight the stigma that exists in your community. There’s no point in just hoping you could spend one day with this child.
Sabrina A. Sabino
This kid doesn’t deserve pity, he deserves admiration.
高島磆
wish I can adopt him. 🙁
Hamung Shimmy Shimray
How can we help?
Orlando Escandor
what a country.. I hope god will forgive the poeple who’s responsible to the boy.. and GOD BLESS THE BOY.
Mcdrill Jay Delima Quilicon
I LOVE THIS KID…..
Zkaki Zai
ito lang masasabi ko “mga walang puso”..
Rowena Pilapil
why they did that to a poor boy like him… its not his fault… some
Sally M. Martin
somebody do some thing! we want a better world for our kids right! well this kid is being the best kid he can be and this is not right! they have the fucking cure for this shit but they continue to let people die like this no good for humanity if you as me….
Ken Martin
you dam right i did!!!!!!….i watched some thing like this happen to someone i know verrrrry well!!! and for all the preaching we do about “not being able to catch it by a hand shake or being in the same room” you people that do nothing make me sick to be called a human… bunch of cowards! get down off your high horse and get down here with the real people! it is after all the real people that keep you on that high horse!!!…
Rose Mukui
Somebody please give me that boy. I will live with him and love him as a mother should. What has this world come to.There are no words to describe this generation. Am Rose Mukui from Mombasa Kenya and my email address is mukuir7@yahoo.com.
Raven Audron
I wish you the best of luck!
Janice Remolin
pls if posible help and adopt this boy wish the best for him…swear…
Meh Cheng
FYI,
the HIV in many provinces in china is not caused by gay sex, but poor government management (corruption in the management level), didn’t do the right thing for the city and the citizens had to sell blood to make a living.
and of course the facilities are poor. some people got infected, and then the blood infected many people. he government’s trying to cover the truth, as always. people don’t just suddenly go gay for a period and then stop.
many chinese citizens try to spread this truth but many people got killed.
Raven Audron
That’s sad. 🙁
Chelo Lee
so sad:(:(:
Mellany Soriano
what a world!
shame on us!
Sahara Shmidth
Oh my God it must be so hard for him God bless him
Praussie Annie
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2700336/ To those who say this story is a lie. I google and saw that the problem does exist. Whether this child lives alone or not, personally can’t validate that.
Robert Corby
FUCKING DO SOMETHING! Don’t post shit without a positive outcome. What the FUCK did you do? Just take a god damn picture and tell the story and do nothing and leave him there. BE RESPONSIBLE! You come across this and just walk by.
Yuniati Adinda
Myheart cried so much
Piravin Nair
the only immoral act here to be so stereotype….
Xitij Thool
There is problem with other people not with him, what wrong things he had done? Nothing
Amalia Papachristopouloualbrecht
My husband and I we want to adopt the child and his dog…and offer them the best of life.
Anush Karakeshishyan
Amalia Papachristopouloualbrecht can you really adopt him? I think we must do something to help him.
He is worthy only admiration
Amalia Papachristopouloualbrecht
yes we are willing to adopt him and his dog.
Anush Karakeshishyan
It’s wonderful! 😀 I wish your intention will come true! )))
Janice Remolin
pls let us know if you already adopt him so happy that you can…if only i have the capacity to…i salute you…hoping for the best…holding that to happen..thank God there are people like you…
Anush Karakeshishyan
People let’s think what we CAN DO for him! For example we can try to spread information.
Natalie Young
Can we somehow start up a Facebook fund with paypal
To donate to help this young boy
Some of the worlds richest should help thus poor little boy
Natalie Young
If you can’t pity this boy there is something dreadfully wrong with you
You must lack the empathy chip bigtime
SGVpizza
You know you would think a story like this would hit home for people like, as an example; Magic Johnson (not that he even knows about this) who himself is a HIV carrier. He was called a hero as I remember when he admitted to carrying the aids virus. I guess if you have a name, you can do no wrong.
SGVpizza
@Natalie Young
The only thing in question would be, how much of the donations would this little deserving lad receive? Just like many of the organizations that advertise through ministries for poor children around the world. Much of the money goes to admin and the children receive almost nothing. That’s why many of these organizations say not to donate toys as they are confiscated and sold off before they get to a child.