Urban homeless reveal loose ends of China's urbanization (2)

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FORLORN AND UNATTENDED

Many homeless at the railway station come from broken families and have not been covered by any social security programs. They have no savings to tide them over when old age or disease prevent them from employment.

Zhou Lianjia, a 69-year-old scavenger at the station, was left with no income or pension when his two sons sold his village house 20 years ago but refused to provide for him.

The farmer from Hebei has roamed in several cities, including Beijing, fending for himself by scavenging. But his old age and worsening health have taken their toll recently. He has only been able to earn one yuan per day by collecting bottles and has survived by eating others' leftovers.

"I wish to go home, but I don't know if my children are willing to provide for me," he said.

Liu Huaide, who was found at a filthy, fetid corner behind the station's notice board, is a reminder that bad luck can also wreak havoc on urban poor who are unprotected by the social safety net.

The 55-year-old man, suffering a tumor in his throat, could only murmur vague details about his life. His swollen hands cannot move and his legs ache with arthritis when walking.

The former lathe operator at a state-owned factory in Liaoning Province was laid off after a cerebral thrombosis made him too sick to work. He visited Beijing for better treatment in 2009, but the hefty medical bills dried up his savings in just a few months.

The man ended up on the street, having no relatives to turn to.

"I miss Liaoning. I miss my home, but I'm afraid I could never return home in this life," he said.

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