TALENT Program
There are currently an estimated 230 million migrant laborers have moved from the rural countryside to the major cities of China. These migrant laborers face a choice, either uproot their entire family or leave behind their children, and sometimes their spouse, in search of livelihood in the cities.

We seek to reach youth who have been impacted by this social phenomenon. Migrant children or left-behind children are especially vulnerable to low self-esteem, low self-image and delinquency. Recent studies show that crime amongst youth in China has escalated dramatically in recent years and is estimated to increase at an average of 13% annually. Left on their own, gangs attract children by providing comfort, structure and a sense of purpose. Lacking a family structure, these children gain social identity through their gangs.

Migrant children mostly live outside the city center in surrounding districts and frequently move with their parents to the next job opportunity. These children lack stability due to frequent moving. Migrant children continue to suffer from limited access to quality education and government services. Many lack a strong parental influence and grow to be disenfranchised and marginalized.

The second group of children affected by the migration movement are those left behind in the rural countryside. These children may be left in the care of grandparents or other kin or sometimes even on their own. In certain regions of China, the percentage of children with parents working in other provinces is as high as 50%. Studies show that a large percentage of these children perform poorly in schools citing poor social support, poor economic background, lack of familial support, and low motivation levels as key reasons. 

ABC's TALENT Program is actively working to address and improve the issues facing these children.

Click here to meet the children in Fall 2010 Program.