Chen Chen (not his real name), 10, like many other children living in Sun Village in the Shunyi district, spoke in a low voice and kept his eyes on the ground when answering a visitor's questions.

Volunteers took photos with kids in Sun Village.[File photo]

But he shared his snacks generously, even though chances are that he does not get snacks that often.

Chen Chen is one of about 120 children in Sun Village, whose parents are in prison and who have no legal guardians to take care of them.

Sun Village is a non-profit organization that has expanded from a small headquarter based in Beijing in 1995 into six branches nationwide by the end of 2009.

"The children living here are in need of consistent support and understanding from society," said Zhang Shuqin, director of Beijing's Sun Village facility, on Sunday when China Daily visited and donated 10,100 yuan, and newspapers, dictionaries and clothes.

Donations are a major source of funding for Sun Village and money received in Beijing is often used to support the daily expenses of the other branches. Such expenses are as much as 5 million yuan a year.

"When people donate pork, we have some meat to eat; when we don't have enough meat donations, we just eat vegetables. And the children usually wear clothes that others give us, it doesn't matter if they are not new," said Bian Ke, a long-time volunteer.

Thrifty as they must be, the teachers and volunteers try their best to take care of the children. The Beijing headquarters now has its own gardens growing vegetables.

Helping the children get rid of feelings of inferiority is the organization's main task, according to Zhang.

"Their parents did something wrong but the children are innocent," she said.

"They are just like any other kids; there is no difference once you become familiar with them, said Dai Rui, a 25-year-old volunteer.