Early one Sunday morning, a handful of CRI hosts and some 60 enthusiastic listeners set off to the outskirts of Beijing on a special mission: to bring a smile to the faces of these children.

There was a photo session, some monkeying around, and even a fun-filled chicken dance!

Amid all the fun 'n' games, however, it's easy to forget that this is no ordinary children's home. This is Sun Village ... and the parents of every child here are serving prison terms.
 
These kids are often shunned by society because of their family situation. Some have been abandoned and even abused by their relatives. And since these children are neither orphaned nor handicapped, they are ineligible for government help.

Over the past decade, Sun Village has provided foster care for more than 800 children of parents currently in prison. Its founder Zhang Shuqin - known to the kids as Grandma Zhang - ensures the children don't follow in their parent's footsteps. For this, education is key, she says.

One of Sun Village's main goals is to foster a sense of self-reliance in these children. Even the food served in the premises is prepared in-house.
 
So, enter, the Sun Village shopping market. Here, kids team up with volunteers, who mostly hail from universities in Beijing, and sell donated items to visitors. Volunteers says it's amazing how through the process of selling shoes, soft toys and clothes, the lives of many children have changed for the better.
 
Visitors and well-wishers are welcome to sponsor a plant at the Sun Village orchard, which grows vegetables, red dates and peanuts. After adopting a tree, whatever that tree harvests is yours. You are also free to browse the farm, pick out the veggies you want and pay for them right here. 
Apart from donations by companies and individuals, Sun Village is powered by dozens of volunteers with their hearts in the right place.

During their visit, CRI staff and listeners not only bought plenty of goodies from the Sun Village market and orchard, they also donated money and clothes to this worthy cause. China Drive producer Li Yun, who organized the outing, says it's important more people know about the good work being done by Sun Village.

If you want to lend a helping hand and change the lives of these special children, visit www.sunvillage.com.cn