Building a Loving Home for Orphaned and Disabled Children — The Glorious Journey of the Prince of Peace Children's Home
The Prince of Peace Children's Home in Wuqing, Tianjin, was established in 2004 through the vision and generous investment of Mr. Kenneth Yeung, a patriotic Chinese-American. Guided by national policies and with strong support from relevant government ministries, Mr. Yeung partnered with the Tianjin Civil Affairs Bureau and the Wuqing District Civil Affairs Bureau to create a comprehensive Children's Home—one that integrates care, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and education under one roof.
As the only privately operated Children's Home in China initiated by the government and supported by civil society, the Home has taken a twofold approach. On one hand, it actively incorporates international best practices in childcare, medical services, special education, vocational training, and administration. On the other, it seeks meaningful integration with the local community, extending its reach to support children in difficult circumstances. This unique blend of international perspective and community engagement has not only shaped the Home's character but also provided a valuable model for the future of orphanages in China.
As a one-of-a-kind international cooperative Children’s Home in China, the Home carries a special mission. For many years, it employed over 100 staff members and cared for nearly 350 orphaned children with disabilities. Most of these children live with physical or intellectual impairments, primarily cerebral palsy or Down syndrome.
Over the years, the staff has remained committed to the belief that "everything is for the children." With deep compassion and tireless dedication, they carry out the often routine yet vital tasks that ensure each child receives the care, warmth, and health support they deserve. Their unwavering efforts have earned widespread recognition and praise from the broader community.
In 2006, Prince of Peace Children's Home was honored with the prestigious National Women's Civilization Post award.
Over the years, over fifty children with disabilities from the Home have been adopted by loving families in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Spain, and China, where they have continued to receive professional care, and medical support.
I、Mr. Kenneth Yeung
Mr. Kenneth Yeung, a well-known Chinese American, has long been devoted to the development and progress of China. Over the decades, he has received numerous commendations and awards from the Chinese government in recognition of his unwavering support.
In 2004, with the unanimous support of national agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Mr. Yeung was selected as an overseas representative to the CPPCC—an honor reserved for outstanding patriotic overseas Chinese.
For decades, Mr. Yeung has tirelessly supported the growth of China's social welfare sector. Despite the many challenges of traveling frequently between the U.S. and China, he has personally led efforts to donate funds and supplies, staying true to his mission. He has also contributed valuable suggestions for improving the welfare system and, in partnership with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, funded and organized study tours to the United States for Chinese legal professionals to exchange knowledge and experiences.
In 2005, at the inaugural China Charity Conference, Mr. Yeung was awarded the prestigious "China Charity Award" in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the nation's charitable causes.
II、The Birth of the Prince of Peace Children's Home in Wuqing, Tianjin
Around 2002, Mr. Kenneth Yeung made several visits to China for business and to participate in fact-finding trips organized by the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) for overseas Chinese representatives. During these visits, he saw firsthand the urgent needs of orphaned and disabled children in China. He realized that, with his personal resources and in partnership with local governments, he could help establish a Children's Home—one that would both support the state's efforts and bring in advanced international approaches to childcare.
Mr. Yeung shared his vision with leaders from the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council. His proposal—to build a modern care facility for orphans with disabilities—was met with enthusiastic support from the CPPCC's Committee for Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Overseas Chinese Affairs, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. In a later interview, Mr. Yeung said humbly, "The country has honored me so greatly. It's only right that I do what I can to give back."
Under national policy guidance, the project officially launched in May 2002. Site selection and construction planning for the Prince of Peace Children's Home began. The process strictly adhered to China's legal and regulatory requirements, with strong support from various levels of government—including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the Tianjin Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, and the Wuqing District Civil Affairs Bureau. Senior government officials remained involved throughout, and the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco also offered direct guidance and valuable advice.
By October 2004, construction was completed, and the Prince of Peace Children's Home in Tianjin Wuqing officially opened its doors. The grand opening was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the CPPCC, and relevant local government departments. Then-Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo personally attended and presided over the inauguration. Wang Shupei, then-Party Secretary of Wuqing District, delivered remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, then Vice Minister of Civil Affairs, Li Liguo, visited the children at the Prince of Peace Children's Home, offering them care and encouragement.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Prince of Peace Children's Home, then Secretary of the Wuqing District Party Committee in Tianjin, Wang Shupei, delivered a congratulatory speech.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dou Yupei, then Vice Minister of Civil Affairs, visited the children at the Prince of Peace Children's Home.
III、Support from the National and Tianjin Governments
1. On May 7, 2014, the Tianjin Wuqing Prince of Peace Children's Home was officially named a "Qiao'ai Welfare Institution" (Overseas Chinese Philanthropy Orphanage) by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council—becoming the first welfare facility in China to receive this honor. Xu Yuming, Director General of the Domestic Affairs Department of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, attended the unveiling ceremony and stated, "The Prince of Peace Qiao'ai Children's Home embodies the deep patriotic love of overseas Chinese—it is a model project of overseas Chinese philanthropy." He affirmed the success of the Home and encouraged more overseas Chinese to participate in China's social welfare efforts and support the development of vulnerable children.
Director Xu Yuming of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office presented the official plaque to the Prince of Peace Children's Home and visited the children.
2. Over the past two decades, the Home has stood out for its advanced vision, comprehensive facilities, clean environment, and well-organized management—earning it a strong reputation in both Tianjin and Wuqing District. It has hosted thousands of visitors and delegations, including national leaders and officials from the CPPCC (Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), government ministries, and relevant departments. Distinguished guests who have visited the Home include CPPCC Vice Chairperson Li Haifeng; successive directors of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Chen Yujie, Qiu Yuanping, and Xu Yousheng; Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping; and senior leaders from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Former Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Li Haifeng, visited the children at the welfare home.
Former Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Qiu Yuanping, visited the Children's Home to see the children and provided guidance on their work.
Former Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Xu Yousheng, attended a donation ceremony at the Children’s Home.
3. Throughout these 20 years, the Home has received unwavering attention from the Tianjin Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, the Wuqing District Party Committee and Government, the Wuqing Civil Affairs Bureau, and caring individuals from across society. Authorities remain closely involved in ensuring the children's needs are met and work diligently to safeguard their welfare. What began as a little-known institution has evolved into a highly regarded organization in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, dedicated to serving children with disabilities.
Government departments such as the Tianjin Children's Welfare Institute, the Tianjin Federation of Trade Unions, the Tianjin Committee of the China Democratic League, and the Zhi Gong Party in Hebei District have conducted multiple visits, offering research support, holding discussions, and providing encouragement to both children and staff. In August 2024, Feng Liwei, former director of the Tianjin Children's Welfare Institute, led a delegation from the China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service's Child Welfare Division to visit the Home. Welcomed by Deputy Director Shi Haibo of the Wuqing Civil Affairs Bureau, they discussed support strategies for children in hardship and shared best practices based on the Home's successes.
Deputy Director of the Wuqing District Civil Affairs Bureau, Shi Haibo, hosted leaders from the Children's Welfare and Protection Service Branch of the China Welfare Association at the Children's Home.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China and to actively implement the important directives from General Secretary Xi Jinping's inspection of Tianjin on May 16, 2024, the Social Services Committee of the Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Zhi Gong Party, together with the Hebei District Committee, visited the Prince of Peace Children's Home in Wuqing District to carry out a welfare visit on the eve of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
4. As a guiding and collaborative agency, the Tianjin Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau and the Tianjin Children's Welfare Institute have consistently supported the development and operation of the Prince of Peace Children's Home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders at all levels paid close attention to the health and safety of staff and children. The Bureau recognized their dedication in an official statement:
"As the country saw positive progress in pandemic control, the 51 staff members at the Wuqing Prince of Peace Children's Home remained on duty, playing a critical role in ensuring the well-being of 138 children. They understood the weight of their responsibility—to safeguard the lives and health of children with disabilities. Their perseverance and dedication are helping bring about the full victory in this battle against the virus." (Source: Official Website of the Tianjin Civil Affairs Bureau)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, all 51 staff members at the Prince of Peace Children's Home remained steadfast at their posts, contributing to the successful fight against the virus. Their dedication was formally recognized and commended by the Tianjin Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau.
5. Over the years, the Prince of Peace Children's Home and Mr. Kenneth Yeung has received extensive media coverage from major outlets such as the People's Daily Overseas Edition, China News Service, People's Political Consultative Conference News, CCTV, and Jinan University Press.
In particular, to mark the Home's 20th anniversary, a commemorative event was held on June 1, 2024, under the guidance of the Wuqing Civil Affairs Bureau, the Communist Youth League District Committee, and the Women's Federation. During the event, Wuqing Civil Affairs leaders emphasized their continued commitment to improving care and support for children with disabilities and called for broader community involvement:
"We will continue guiding the Children's Home in delivering high-quality care to children with disabilities and mobilize more social forces to participate in child welfare development. Together, we will build a nurturing environment filled with love and dignity for every child." (Source: Wuqing Civil Affairs Bureau's official WeChat)）
6. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Yeung has also organized seven China cultural trips for overseas Chinese youth, using the Home as a bridge between nations. Each time, dozens—sometimes hundreds—of young Chinese from abroad, accompanied by their parents, would return to China to witness the country's progress, engage with Chinese culture, and spend time at the Prince of Peace Children's Home. These visits allowed them to experience firsthand the power of compassion and social responsibility. This program has become a signature initiative under the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the United Front Work Department, and the China Overseas Chinese Education Foundation—generating widespread goodwill in both China and the United States. Through meaningful exchanges with the children at the Home. These young people have become goodwill ambassadors, building friendships and embodying President Xi's call to deepen mutual understanding:
"The foundation of relations between nations lies in the closeness of their peoples, and people-to-people bonds are built on mutual understanding of the heart."
IV、Standardized Operations: Becoming a Model Institution
Throughout its founding and development, the Prince of Peace Children's Home has adhered to clear and comprehensive procedures, operated in full compliance with the law, and maintained a transparent, professional, and well-documented management system.
1. In May 2001, the Wuqing District Civil Affairs Bureau in Tianjin signed a cooperation agreement with the POP’s Foundation to jointly build and manage the Prince of Peace Children's Home. Under the agreement, the Wuqing Civil Affairs Bureau provided land and supporting infrastructure. At the same time, the POP’s Foundation was responsible for all costs related to construction, interior renovation, and office equipment. The Foundation also assumed full responsibility for the Home's daily operational expenses.
2. Over the past 20 years, under the leadership of Mr. Kenneth Yeung, the Home has received generous philanthropic support from overseas donors, totaling more than 63.5 million RMB in donations and 5.32 million RMB in supplies.
3. At Mr. Yeung's invitation, World Vision collaborated with the Wuqing Civil Affairs Bureau to co-establish and manage the Children's Home and its Rehabilitation Center. Over the past two decades, more than 20 World Vision China staff have been stationed at the Home, contributing over 30 million RMB and leveraging both domestic and international resources. These efforts have helped bring the Home's management, facilities, and staffing up to leading national standards. World Vision China also regularly invited childcare experts from China and abroad to provide technical training and foster professional value exchanges—consistently improving the Home's service quality.
4. In daily operations, the POP's Foundation entrusted World Vision and the Wuqing Civil Affairs Bureau with joint management responsibilities. Financial oversight is shared between Chinese and international directors to ensure all funds are used solely for the benefit of the children. Guided by the principles of standardized management, humane care, professional intervention, and social participation, the Home—through World Vision—partnered with various professional institutions to provide ongoing training and guidance. Adopting international management models, it built a team of skilled rehabilitation therapists and social workers.
5. Over the past 20 years, children at the Home have received education, job training, 24-hour care, and professional rehabilitation therapy—while also experiencing warmth and emotional support.
Based on annual evaluations and the needs of children with cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities, the Home established five specialized training groups to provide tailored rehabilitation. A dedicated group was also created for younger children, offering comprehensive and routine therapies.
In terms of cognitive development, the Home designed customized educational programs aligned with children's developmental stages. In partnership with the Wuqing District Youth Palace, instructors were invited to lead classes in dance, vocal music, calligraphy, and painting, giving children with disabilities equal opportunities to develop their interests and talents.
6. The Home also helped rebuild children's psychological well-being. With a warm and nurturing environment—including sand pits, language and cognitive assessment rooms, a physical evaluation area, and a mini-kitchen—children were given a sense of Home. They could communicate, learn, play, and explore the world together, fostering stable and healthy emotional development essential for growth.
Dedicated shuttle services and caregivers were arranged to escort individual children to and from local schools in the community, ensuring inclusive education.
7. In 2017, to meet the evolving needs of older children, the Home established a vocational training base, providing hands-on skills development. Various real-world scenarios—such as simulated hotel, pastry kitchen, supermarket, café and tea room—were created to help children build life skills and prepare for social integration. These efforts boosted their sense of agency and belonging, turning the Home into a beacon of hope for children with disabilities.
8. Over the past two decades, the Home has trained and employed more than 100 local staff members as qualified teachers and rehabilitation professionals. Through comprehensive training, they gained solid expertise and became valuable contributors to the field of social welfare—helping to provide stable employment for nearly 100 people in Wuqing District each year.
9. The Home has also developed close partnerships with nearly 20 children's welfare institutions, foundations, and rehabilitation centers across China—facilitating mutual learning and integration of best practices. Additionally, it has served as a fieldwork base for seven universities, helping train the next generation of rehabilitation therapists and social workers, contributing its expertise back to society and the nation.
V、Staying True to Our Mission and Moving Forward.
The rehabilitation environment at the Prince of Peace Children's Home is both professional and well-equipped. It features comprehensive facilities that support the development of cognitive, physical, and life skills, allowing children to undergo systematic and continuous rehabilitation to consolidate and enhance their progress.
On the one hand, through the POP's Foundation, the Home regularly invites international experts—including licensed physical and occupational therapists—to conduct professional training for all staff. On the other hand, the Home actively opens its doors to serve as a learning platform for other domestic orphanages. It has become a designated internship base for students from institutions such as the School of Social Work of the University of Hawaii, the Beijing College of Social Administration and Tianjin Tianshi College of Economics and Management, and it continues to attract welfare workers from across China for training and exchange.
What is even more commendable is the Home's long-standing provision of free community-based rehabilitation services, made possible through the financial support and professional guidance of the POP’s Foundation. As early as 2006, the Home and its Rehabilitation Center began leveraging their strengths to extend services beyond their walls—gradually forming a community rehabilitation model centered on in-home training, social integration, assistive equipment, public education, and personnel training. To date, nearly 100 children with disabilities in the community have benefited from this outreach.
This community rehabilitation model is grounded in the basic needs of children with disabilities. Through comprehensive assessments, it establishes a dynamic service mechanism tailored to individual needs. By conducting home visits, the Home evaluates each child's condition and family context, develops personalized rehabilitation plans, provides necessary equipment, and trains parents—bringing rehabilitation services not only "closer" but truly within reach for local families.
In 2025, in order to carry forward the Home's founding mission and make better, more efficient use of its professional strengths while continuing to serve the community, Mr. Kenneth Yeung is planning a second round of investment. This will fund renovations and upgrades to the Home, including an expansion of the Vocational Skills Training Center for older children, to better meet the evolving needs of both the Home and society as a whole.
With the care and guidance of national authorities, as well as the Tianjin and Wuqing District governments and civil affairs departments, the Prince of Peace Children's Home and Rehabilitation Center has, over the past 20 years, developed into a model institution in China—thanks to its international management practices, diversified partnerships, and community-oriented approach.
We firmly believe that the needs and hopes of children—especially children with disabilities—are the very source of our determination and courage. With the continued support of the government and our growing professional capabilities, we are committed to achieving even greater success in the years ahead.