The Canadian-based charity Kids Can Free the Children (KCFC) has donated 650,000 yuan (US$78,500) worth of study materials and health care to school children in Lixian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, said Qi Yuntian, KCFC chief representative in China Wednesday.

KCFC has also donated 200,000 yuan (US$24,000) to build two schools in rural areas of Lixian County, said Qi.

He said that China's western region would be a focus of KCFC donations in the future.

KCFC, a major international youngsters' charity organization involving a total 100,000 youngsters in 35 countries, has helped the poverty-stricken areas in 35 countries build more than 300 schools.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2003)