TIANJIN, Feb. 1 -- The 100-odd vagrants who did not go home for the
Spring Festival like millions of Chinese found themselves enjoying a warm lunar
New Year at the social relief center in Tianjin, the biggest port city in north
China.
One man from Anhui Province in the east China said he didn't expect to have a
comfortable room and delicious food for the festival in the center before he
came here.
"After we have our lunch, we'll have a karaoke competition," said the man who
came to Tianjin to look for a job but in vain, and had to roam the streets after
he used out all the money he brought with him.
Almost all the vagrants staying in the center were hindered from going home
for the lunar New Year due to lack of money for buying a ticket home, according
to staff workers of the center.
The center has helped a total of 686 people who came for help in January
alone. For those who could not return home to spend theeve of the Spring
Festival, the most important night for Chinese, the staff workers prepared
well-decorated rooms for them, along with fresh and dried fruits, special
festival food and entertainment facilities.
"They are free to come and go during the festival. They can also go out to
visit their fellow-townsmen in the city," said one staff worker.
Apart from offering free food and lodging, the center also provides free
clothing for those who need it. The staff workers also contacted the relatives
of the vagrants according to the information they provided, and queued at the
railway station to buy tickets for them to return home.
"Last month, we bought tickets for 121 people who came for helpto go back
home for the Spring Festival," said the staff workers.
Editor:Ivana
