Customers head to the cafe for French bread, coffee and simple set meals. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

Psychological barriers

Since 2003, the government has provided free antiviral treatment for HIV-positive people, and has also provided allowances for low-income families and AIDS orphans up to the age of 18.

To, founder and chairman of the Chi Heng Foundation, doesn't think the allowance is enough to guarantee the children's education, adding that what they need most is psychological care.

"When people can conquer psychological barriers and believe in themselves, they'll find a way out by themselves," he said.

"But when I talk with the children and ask which university they want to attend in the future, they typically reply that university education is not for people like them. I want to give them the chance to change their minds."

In 2009, the foundation launched the Young Bakers program in Shanghai. It provides a year's free training in French baking, plus free lodgings and meals for 30 young people from rural China, most of them from AIDS-affected families.

The project, which costs nearly 2 million yuan a year, is intended to make it easier for the orphans to find work.

"We're delighted that many of our students receive multiple job offers upon graduation and have prosperous futures," To said.

Some of the graduates now work at Village 127. "Collectively, they had around 20 years' work experience in five-star hotels in Shanghai－such as the Four Seasons, the Grand Hyatt, the Sheraton and the Hilton－before we started the cafe," To said.

After learning about the outlet's charitable background, Lu Cheming, from Taiwan, said he will show more support.

"The cafe is a big, brave, but difficult, step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS stigma in China," he said.

Contact the writer at zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn