How to help:

Those who want to adopt orphans of the quake can contact the Beijing Community Service Network by dialing 96165 to register.

Applicants are reminded they should think carefully about adopting children and the practice is subject to law. Interested parties can also help by providing subsidies for the children.

In Beijing

Some young earthquake survivors from Beichuan have arrived in Beijing with the support from the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. Those interested in helping the children with subsidies can call 010-6255-6356 and 6252-6424.

Additional hotlines

China Children and Teenagers' Fund hotlines: 6510-3495, 6510-3491, 8511-5407 (24 hours in both Chinese and English)

Requirements for temporary foster parents

1. Fixed place of residence

2. Stable income

3. Main caretaker should be aged between 25 and 60, healthy and experienced in caring for children. The person should guarantee the safety and physical health of the foster child and be able to provide emotional support and appropriate education.

4. Foster families should have someone accompanying the foster child at all times.

5. Foster family members should not suffer from mental illness and other diseases that may harm the child.

6. Foster parents should not have criminal records or undesirable hobbies. The foster family should be harmonious, well-educated and maintain a good relationship with neighbors.

Do's and Don'ts of Helping Children

According to experts sent by the All-China Women's Federation to help children in quake-affected areas, extra care is needed to help these children. How they are handled today can seriously impact their ability to cope with their traumatic experiences in the future.

10 don'ts:

1. Don't lie. If the child's parents have died, don't lie to them.

2. Don't give false hope by promising things that cannot be fulfilled.

3. Don't force the child to recall the quake, or talk about it. Don't say things such as, "Just tell me."

4. Don't intervene with the child's emotions by saying things such as, "Don't cry", "Be brave", or "Just cry" as kids have their own ways of expressing their feelings.

5. Don't tell the child he or she is poor and needs sympathy.

6. Don't try to replace their parents by saying, "It doesn't matter. We all love you."

7. Don't over compensate. This may cause the child to become overly dependent.

8. Don't think of yourself as a savior, or the only person who can help the child. Help them find their own way to heal.

9. Don't make them feel guilty. Avoid saying "You are already very lucky", or "Your situation is much better than others'".

10. Don't pry. Our curiosity could cause further emotional injury to the children.

5 do's:

1. If possible, give them a lot of body contacts. But if the children refuse, don't insist on doing so.

2. Build trust. Start forming this bond with daily greetings and then work up to conversation.

3. Once the trust is built, give the child small gifts such as chocolates, pencils and paper to let them know they have someone who cares about them.

4. If time permits, give the child alternative ways to express his or her feelings such as drawing or storytelling.

5. Tell them, "I'm always here for you when you need my help". You may provide a unified phone number or address.