A group of less fortunate children told of their ambitions to be a champion in daily life at a UNICEF China event last Saturday.

"I want to be a SWAT (special military team) in future, giving others safety and leaving danger to myself," said Yuan Jin.

The teenage boy from Yingxiu Township of Wenchuan, Sichuan Province, has every reason to foster this dream. He witnessed how the military men and women rescued lives from the rubbles of his school that was destroyed within seconds when the magnitude-8.0 earthquake jolted Sichuan on May 12.

The earthquake has claimed 69,222 lives, many were children.

"I am very grateful to those who risked their lives to save people," Yuan said.

"If I cannot be a SWAT, I hope that I can play basketball like Kobe Bryant. Kobe and LeBron James are my idols," he said.

Themed as "Champions for Children", the event highlights some of the most vulnerable children in China, including HIV/AIDS-affected children and the May 12 earthquake-affected children.

"When we celebrate and enjoy the Olympic Games, we should not forget the children in Sichuan. UNICEF hopes to give a message to society that the vulnerable children in the quake-hit areas deserve equal opportunities to realize their dreams," said Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative, China.

Six children from the earthquake regions, and eight children from AIDS-hit provinces, including Henan, Yunnan and Shanxi, participated in the charity event.

"Every child has a dream. But not every has a chance to realize it. So that we should create more opportunities for them, and help them realize their dreams," said Dr. Yin Yin Nwe.

"Help children in need when you can," said Jackie Chan in husky voice due to busy routine during the Games, who attend the event along with other celebrities in business, and in entertainments and sports.

Chan, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, listened to the concerns of the HIV/AIDS–affected children, heard their hopes for the future. He encouraged them to become productive members of society, and be a champion in their daily life.

The popular film star said that he can be where he is now today is because he got a lot help from UNICEF and other charities when he was a poor child.

He urged the public to give more attention to vulnerable children. "We win only when children's equal rights are recognized." He pledged to be there immediately when he is needed by UNICEF to work for the welfare of children.

Jackie Chan has donated 10 million Yuan (about 1.4 million U.S. dollars) for the quake victims and disaster relief in the name of Jackie Chan and Albert Yeung Charitable Foundation.

Six children from earthquake areas performed a recitation, expressing thanks to the people who helped them resume confidence towards life after the disaster.

Zhang Chundong, deputy principal of Yingxiu Primary School, said, "These children have changed a lot. They become lively and optimistic again."

Zhang said his school has been rebuilt, with the education facilities given by UNICEF China, and other charitable organizations. "Children will go back to study when the summer break is over."

Zhou Jie from Beichuan, a worse-hit county, presented a picture she drew to UNICEF after she arrived in Beijing, illustrating a PLA (the People's Liberation Army) soldier carrying a boy on a mountain path in the quake-devastated area.

Zhou lost her father to the disaster. "At this moment, I want to say to my father: Please don't worry about me. Many people care about me. I will study hard and take care of my mother," Zhou said.

She said her dream is to be a painter to "record touching moments through my drawing pens."

Dr. Yin Yin Nwe noticed there are still many children in the earthquake areas, and in HIV/AIDS-ravaged areas, whose equal right to take part in sports and art activities are not fully acknowledged.

"Society should create channels for them to make their dreams come true," she said.

Eight HIV/AIDS-affected children also took part in the charity event. Most of them were orphaned by HIV/AIDS, with at least one parent dying. They came to Beijing to take part in a special summer camp also initiated by UNICEF, aiming to strengthen the understanding between society and the children.

"Some children face larger barriers to success than others because of stigmas and discrimination," said Ken Legins, chief of the UNICEF HIV/AIDS section. "We must all work to provide an even playing field for all children and ensure their rights to participation."

While no official figures about children orphaned by HIV/AIDS are available, UNICEF estimated that by the end of 2005 China has 140,000 children who had lost one or both parents because of the disease. In addition, about 500,000 are living with HIV-infected parents.

Everyone is a champion for children, no matter who and where he/she is as long as he/she honestly cares for the children's rights and interests, said Chu Rui, a senior editor of China Children's Publishing House, which in collaboration with UNICEF China has organized many summer campus for HIV/AIDS affected children.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2008)