Children from all over the world sing songs for the children in quake-stricken areas in Sichuan province in southwest China on June 1, the International Children's Day in Beijing. [Photo: china.org.cn]

Yesterday, a special charity event called "All for the Children" was held in the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling in Beijing. The performing group consisted of young musicians such as Li Chengwei and Chen Qingqing, and also of young children from primary schools. This special performance moved many people who were present. They all have a shared purpose that is to send good wishes to the children in the quake-hit areas in Sichuan Province and to educate the younger generation to learn to love, cherish and be strong.

Reporter:

In the beautiful Houhai area in Beijing, celebrations for children are normally held on June 1 every year in the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling.

This year is no exception.

However, yesterday, apart from just having fun, children in Beijing found a way to show their love and compassion for their peers in the quake-stricken areas in Sichuan Province by staging special performances in "All for the Children" Charity Event. This will certainly make this year's Children Day a more memorable one for them. 



These young singers are all from Canadian International School. Dressed in neat uniforms, they sang and sent their heartfelt blessings to the children who have lost their mothers and fathers in the earthquake. 

"I feel sad and once they got sick, I pray for them to get better. I will just ask God to make them better, not die, like those who died."

That is 11-year-old Maelijwa from the choir.

Children are the most innocent and the most adorable. When they are happy, they laugh; when they are sad, they cry; when they face such a disaster, they come together and offer their helping hands. 

"We need to help the victims."

"We want to contribute, too." 

"Though the disaster hurt many children and broke their hearts, I just want to say to them that the 1.3 billion Chinese are all your families. You must be strong."

The whole nation is still in this emotional moment. However, sometimes, we feel more touched, inspired, and purified instead of being sad. Just as Vice-Chairperson of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation Tang Wensheng said, she saw hope. 

"I believe this event has educated many generations. People at my age, at one time, were worried this younger generation who has grown up as the only child, who is pampered not only by their parents, but also by grandparents on both sides. We believe they grow up in honey. Some of us felt what would happen when this generation grows up. Will they be a generation of spoiled brats and what will a country of spoiled brats be like? Will they be selfish? Will they know how to share? Will they think of others? Will they be willing to sacrifice for others? At this time, we are all overwhelmed."

Tang Wenshang wore the pioneer scarf, like the children at the event. She did it on this occasion to honor the children.
Another highlight of the event was the auction. Sun Li, who is in charge of public relations for Nestle China Ltd., just auctioned an art piece for 5,500 yuan. 

"I know the money will go to disaster areas. Although the amount is not that big, this is from my heart."

What was the most moving was that many children even raised their hands to bid. Their parents wanted to teach them how to give and how to love from a young age.

Qu Yingpu is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily and the spokesperson for the Olympic Touch Relay Center. 

"I am very much touched by the people here, especially the auctions. People are not really bidding for the articles. They just find ways to contribute, to help those in need, especially children. Everything to do with the children is very touching. You look at those people, who made a lot of contributions, paying more than 30,000 yuan for just three hotel nights. These are the strength we are gathering."

Qu has an eleven-year-old son. The boy wanted to donate in advance all his pocket money for the next 3 years. He asked his father to take it out to help the victims and he would go without any pocket money for 3 years.

Carl Crook has a foreign face but he is an old-time resident in Beijing. After the quake, they invited a family of three from Mianyang, one of the quake-hit areas, to come over to Beijing and live together with them.

"Their house was severely damaged in the earthquake. They had to actually live in a car for quite a few days. We were very pleased to get them out of Mianyang to finally stay with us."

David Michael is from Boston Consulting Group in Beijing.

"The international community cares greatly about the children in Sichuan. Many of us will make our very best efforts to support the government in the effort to help everyone in Sichuan."

Up to May 30, the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation has been able to raise 39 million yuan in donations. Among that, 9 million yuan has been forwarded to Sichuan and more than 11 million yuan of donation materials have been sent to the quake-stricken areas as well.