The ministry of Kids Alive began in China in 1916 with the opening of our first residential home. Today our work there continues in a different province providing education and care to poor rural children through schools and care centers. A growing number of children from minority groups in southwest China are currently learning to read and write Mandarin Chinese in our programs. This basic skill will allow these children to eventually leave the small rural villages and communicate with others in the country, hopefully breaking their current cycle of poverty and discrimination. Additionally, a medical team headed by our Kids Alive Taiwan Board Chairman, who is also a physician, travels into China annually providing medical care for the poor. Many have never gone to a doctor or received medical care in their lives. A critical part of this outreach is the opportunity to pray and share the love of Christ with these people.