Nicknamed Along, the young boy carries firewood home down a mountain path in Niucheping village of Liuzhou city in Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Nov 3, 2010. [Photo/CFP]

Along plays soccer in front of the rundown home where he lives alone. People refuse to play with him due to concerns over his illness. No school or welfare homes will agree to take him. Photo taken on Nov 8, 2010. [Photo/CFP]

Along frolics with a dog named Lao Hei, his only companion, in front of his rundown home. Photo taken on Nov 3, 2010. [Photo/CFP]

Along reads a book in poor light inside his rundown home. A local primary school was forced to turn down his application under pressure from parents of other children. Photo taken on Nov 2, 2010. [Photo/CFP]

Along makes a fire to prepare for dinner. His grandmother, who lives 15 minutes’ walk away, built two vegetable plots for him, and pays regular visits despite not living with him. Photo taken on Nov 2, 2010. [Photo/CFP]

A six-year-old HIV-positive child named Along has been collecting wood to support himself since both of his parents died from the deadly virus.

He receives 70 yuan of subsistence allowance per month from the local civil bureau plus periodical material supplies from kindhearted people, but he still lives alone without a guardian.