Sun Peirui drew a picture of a golden lion which was pinned on the wall. However, he stopped coming to class when he became too weak as a result of undergoing a new course of chemotherapy.

The 10-year-old's parents abandoned him after they divorced, so he was taken in by a welfare home. Last year, the home sent Peirui to Beijing from his hometown in Shandong province for treatment.

He has frequent nosebleeds that can last as long as an hour and his mouth is covered in sores, which makes it difficult for him to eat.

"He misses the class very much and has asked me when he can return," said care worker Bu Xiurong, 62.

Although many college students have offered their services as teachers, they have no concept of parenting skills.

Lyu Wanxin, a volunteer sophomore student, tried to help a boy who cried at having to wear a face mask, but failed to pacify him. "The job demands more than I ever imagined," Lyu said.

The doctors and nurses are unable to ease the mental stress of their patients.