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Overjoyed ... Wang Xiaopeng, with mum Zheng Weixiu, can now begin series of repair operations
CEN
BY BELLA BATTLE
Published: 19th April 2012
THE Chinese boy left trapped behind a mask of scar tissue after a fire burned off his face is to finally undergo the first of a dozen operations to restore his features - thanks to kind donations from Britons.
Last week, we told you the story of Wang Xiaopeng - a little boy left with an almost featureless face after accidentally setting fire to himself at home.
The five-year-old had been trapped by a blaze he had started in straw while playing with a lighter two years ago.
Wang, from China's Ningxia Hui region, nearly died but although doctors saved his life he was left without hair, lips, ears and eyelids.
The tragic lad does not go to school, as no class will admit him, and he has only a few friends who have become used to his appearance.
But although money for treatment quickly dried up within Wang's family, donations have come flooding in after his story was revealed on The Sun website - meaning the process of rebuilding his face can now start.
Keen to learn ... little Xiaopeng plays with picture cards
CEN
A journalist from the British charity Journalism Without Borders said: "We are collecting money for the family to pay the medical costs and they already have enough to start the process.
"We also want to help him with a teacher, so he can make a start on his schooling that will fit around medical appointments."
Wang's dad Wang Yougui, 32, is a rural migrant worker who earns just enough to support his family while the boy's mum Zheng Weixiu, 30, runs their home.
The couple spent their entire life savings of around £15,000 just on initial treatment for their son and had almost given up hope of taking it further.
Story of hope ... lad is all set to begin operations to repair his scarred face
CEN
Doctor Li Jinning, from Ningxia Medical University hospital, said Wang needed a minimum of three big surgery sessions to achieve a "human" look and probably much more to do the job properly.
Dad Yougui said: "The summer was always the worst for him, as the heat makes his burns painful and he really suffers from mosquitoes.
"But his biggest wish is to one day go to school like the other children. That's why we want him to study now so that he has the basics if the operations go well."
At the moment even if a school would take Xiaopeng he has trouble seeing - he also lost several fingers in the blaze, making it hard to hold a pencil or a book.
Buddies ... Xiaopeng has only a few friends who are used to his damaged looks
CEN
Although a Communist country, China does not have a free healthcare system for life.
Instead around half of the population buy basic medical insurance which covers half the costs of their healthcare. The remainder is paid either by patients or their health insurer.
However, this leaves the poorest in China struggling to meet big medical bills for serious conditions like Wang's.
To contribute to the fund to help rebuild Wang Xiaopeng's life, go to journalismwithoutborders.com.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4267330/Donations-pour-in-for-Chinese-burns-boy.html
CEN
BY BELLA BATTLE
Published: 19th April 2012
THE Chinese boy left trapped behind a mask of scar tissue after a fire burned off his face is to finally undergo the first of a dozen operations to restore his features - thanks to kind donations from Britons.
Last week, we told you the story of Wang Xiaopeng - a little boy left with an almost featureless face after accidentally setting fire to himself at home.
The five-year-old had been trapped by a blaze he had started in straw while playing with a lighter two years ago.
Wang, from China's Ningxia Hui region, nearly died but although doctors saved his life he was left without hair, lips, ears and eyelids.
The tragic lad does not go to school, as no class will admit him, and he has only a few friends who have become used to his appearance.
But although money for treatment quickly dried up within Wang's family, donations have come flooding in after his story was revealed on The Sun website - meaning the process of rebuilding his face can now start.
Keen to learn ... little Xiaopeng plays with picture cards
CEN
A journalist from the British charity Journalism Without Borders said: "We are collecting money for the family to pay the medical costs and they already have enough to start the process.
"We also want to help him with a teacher, so he can make a start on his schooling that will fit around medical appointments."
Wang's dad Wang Yougui, 32, is a rural migrant worker who earns just enough to support his family while the boy's mum Zheng Weixiu, 30, runs their home.
The couple spent their entire life savings of around £15,000 just on initial treatment for their son and had almost given up hope of taking it further.
Story of hope ... lad is all set to begin operations to repair his scarred face
CEN
Doctor Li Jinning, from Ningxia Medical University hospital, said Wang needed a minimum of three big surgery sessions to achieve a "human" look and probably much more to do the job properly.
Dad Yougui said: "The summer was always the worst for him, as the heat makes his burns painful and he really suffers from mosquitoes.
"But his biggest wish is to one day go to school like the other children. That's why we want him to study now so that he has the basics if the operations go well."
At the moment even if a school would take Xiaopeng he has trouble seeing - he also lost several fingers in the blaze, making it hard to hold a pencil or a book.
Buddies ... Xiaopeng has only a few friends who are used to his damaged looks
CEN
Although a Communist country, China does not have a free healthcare system for life.
Instead around half of the population buy basic medical insurance which covers half the costs of their healthcare. The remainder is paid either by patients or their health insurer.
However, this leaves the poorest in China struggling to meet big medical bills for serious conditions like Wang's.
To contribute to the fund to help rebuild Wang Xiaopeng's life, go to journalismwithoutborders.com.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4267330/Donations-pour-in-for-Chinese-burns-boy.html