X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Toddler survives alone for a week after grandfather dies

30 Jul, 2018

He is just three years old and because his mummy left him, and his daddy had to work far away to support him, he lived with his 66-year-old grandfather, Wei Ximing. Never did this little boy think that his beloved grandfather would leave him too…

Toddler Survived Alone After Grandfather Died

According to South China Morning Post, the little one was found lying unconscious near the body of his dead grandfather at their home in southern China. 

A relative who went there to borrow some tools made the unfortunate discovery. However, what was even more disturbing was that Wei had been dead for five whole days, leaving his helpless grandson alone with the body for all that time. 

Reportedly, the toddler survived alone on just tap water before he passed out. Wei Jingyu, the relative who made the sad discovery, said when she went there, she heard the sound of water from the second floor. 

The grandpa was found on the ground, with the little boy next to him, barely breathing. Wei had then carried the little one out to the neighbour’s house for help. 

Thankfully, the toddler regained consciousness after receiving care, including saline solution and milk. Now, his health is believed to be improving. 

“He’s really lucky… we heard a child crying in the past few days but we’ve been so busy with our farm work we didn’t really pay much attention,” Wei was quoted as saying.

toddler survived alone

The Sad Fate of Left-Behind Children in China

The toddler survived alone story here is a sad testament to the fate of China’s “left behind” children. He is just one of over 60 million children from poor Chinese families. Their parents – one or both – left them behind in order to find work abroad or in cities.

Often ill-equipped and poor-in-health, grandparents are left with the task of raising and looking after these little ones. 

The repercussions of growing up like this are sad, and often devastating. 

In June 2017, four left-behind children (ages five to 13), committed suicide together by swallowing pesticide. Then in November 2012, five boys – also “left behind” – died from carbon monoxide poisoning after lighting a fire inside a dumpster to stay warm. 

Even if they live, mental health experts say these children grow up with a range of mental health issues. So what is the Chinese government doing about this situation? Not enough, apparently. 

According to The Economist, the government has started a programme to train social workers to help these children. However, the programme is not far-reaching enough, and only a fraction of the millions of left-behind children benefit from it. 

 

Partner Stories
Facing Parenting Challenges? Help is at Hand. Just Reach Out.
Facing Parenting Challenges? Help is at Hand. Just Reach Out.
Parenting Lesson from a New Mum - Don’t Try to Do it All on Your Own!
Parenting Lesson from a New Mum - Don’t Try to Do it All on Your Own!
Celebrity Dad Mark Lee Shares the 3 P's of Raising School Going Children - Parenting Tips, PSLE Preparation & Protecting Your Child’s Eyesight!
Celebrity Dad Mark Lee Shares the 3 P's of Raising School Going Children - Parenting Tips, PSLE Preparation & Protecting Your Child’s Eyesight!
NTUC First Campus (NFC) Expands Child Support Model to Include Support for Mental Well-being
NTUC First Campus (NFC) Expands Child Support Model to Include Support for Mental Well-being

Source:South China Morning Post

How do you suggest the Chinese government finds a better solution to this problem? Tell us – just leave a comment below. 

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Nalika Unantenne

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • Toddler survives alone for a week after grandfather dies
Share:
  • What To Do When Your Child Is Lying All The Time: Tips For Parents

    What To Do When Your Child Is Lying All The Time: Tips For Parents

  • 3-year-old boy accidentally left behind by parents at restaurant

    3-year-old boy accidentally left behind by parents at restaurant

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

    Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

  • What To Do When Your Child Is Lying All The Time: Tips For Parents

    What To Do When Your Child Is Lying All The Time: Tips For Parents

  • 3-year-old boy accidentally left behind by parents at restaurant

    3-year-old boy accidentally left behind by parents at restaurant

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

    Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.