UNICEF HK ‘Little Artists Big Dreams Drawing Competition’A thousand little artists and Chow Tai Fook Jewellery raised around HK$1 millionto support maternal and child health services in China
2016-02-13
Hong Kong, 13 Feuary 2016 – The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) held the ‘Little Artists Big Dreams Drawing Competition’ this afternoon. Nearly 1,000 children aged 12 or below portrayed their happiest moment at Victoria Park, and shared New Year’s blessing with children and mothers in China. Together with the HK$800,000 donation from Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, around HK$1 million had been raised to support UNICEF’s ‘Cash Transfers for Deprived Children’ project in China.
The ‘Cash Transfers for Deprived Children’ project provides pregnant women in the 15 counties in Yunnan, Gansu and Sichuan cash incentive for getting life-saving health services, such as antenatal and postnatal checkup, hospital birth delivery and immunization for themselves and their babies. As of January 2016, the project has supported 12,146 pregnant women and children under 1 year old.
Yet, every year in China, nearly 125,000 children still die within the first 28 days of life, mainly due to premature birth, suffocation and pneumonia. Over 75 per cent of these deaths could be easily prevented if the simple, cost-effective healthcare services can reach more families before, during and immediately after a child’s birth.
Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK gave thanks to all the little artists and their parents who supported the project. She said, “For some families in rural areas, they have to take a 6-hour ride on the bumpy and hilly road to the hospital. Many give birth before they arrive. We have heard some parents named their child ‘Yisheng’ (doctor) because they are so happy that their child was born at the hospital.”
Dr Ko Wing-man, Secretary for Food and Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region once again supported the event and cheered up the little artists who spread the spirit of 'kids helping kids' this year. He said, “With the support from the society and the determination of UNICEF, I hope more expectant mothers can enjoy medical care for themselves and their babies, such as postnatal and antenatal checkup, and giving birth in hospital.” UNICEF HK Ambassador Mr Eric Suen also joined the ceremony and supported the little artists and their parents.
The event major sponsor, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited has been supporting the event since 2013. Mr Peter Suen, Executive Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited said, “This is our 4th consecutive year to support the Project. This year we donated HK$800,000, aiming to encourage more people to join us and help child in need to have a happy childhood via supporting this activity.”
Since 2013, ‘Little Artists Big Dreams Drawing Competition’ has raised funds to support UNICEF’s ‘Cash Transfers for Deprived Children’ project in China. This year, the event divides participants into three age groups, each with first, second and third prize, 20 consolation prizes, as well as ‘Online Most Popular Award’. From 22 Feuary, the public can vote for their more favourite art pieces by visiting “UNICEF Hong Kong” Facebook page. Results will be announced on UNICEF website (unicef.org.hk) from 14 March onwards.
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Event photos can be downloaded here