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© UNICEF HK/2018

Hong Kong, 18 March 2018 – Over 600 children aged 12 or below gathered at the Nursery Park in West Kowloon Cultural District today for the Little Artists Big Dreams Drawing Competition organized by the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK). Based on the theme, ‘for every child, a better world’, these children not only expressed their visions of a better world through drawings but also their blessings to vulnerable children while raising funds for mothers and children in rural China. Also, the children’s participation demonstrated the spirit of ‘kids helping kids’.

© UNICEF HK/2018

Together with the HK$800,000 donation from Principal Sponsor, 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.

According to UNICEF figures, on average, 11 newborns in China die every hour, with three of those happen on the same day they were born. The situation is even worse in remote areas, where the neonatal mortality rate is 2.4 times higher than cities. The causes of these deaths, such as complications during pregnancy and delivery, are preventable. Entering its 11th year, funds raised through the Little Artists Big Dreams Drawing Competition will continue to benefit UNICEF’s Cash Transfers for Deprived Children (CCT) Project.

The project provides pregnant women in 15 poor counties across Yunnan, Gansu and Sichuan provinces with cash subsidies for life-saving medical care, such as antenatal and postnatal check-up, birth delivery in hospital and immunization for their newborns. Between 2011 and 2017, over 20,000 pregnant women and children have benefited from the project.

Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK, thanked the little artists and their parents for their support. “Most of these tragedies are preventable if more pregnant women have access to timely and effective health care services during and after pregnancy,” she said. “UNICEF provides mothers with enhanced support and gives children a good start in life.”

Prof Sophia Chan, Secretary for Food and Health, also supported UNICEF’s efforts to help every child to grow up healthy. “UNICEF provides mothers with better health care services, so that they can have a peace of mind during pregnancy and delivery. This also helps every child to enjoy a good start – an important first step in life,” she noted.

Mr Aaron Kwok, UNICEF Regional Ambassador (East Asia and Pacific), also called on the public to support UNICEF. He said: “Through drawing, not only are children giving their blessings to kids in need, but they are also sharing their stories and visions with the world. Their participation is very meaningful as it demonstrates the spirit of ‘kids helping kids’”.

© UNICEF HK/2018

New this year was our collaboration with Mr John Chan, author of the renowned cartoon strip Din Dong, where we introduced a new competition category, Comic Strip Drawing Challenge. Din Dong, the character full of positive energy and dreams, helped inspire creativity in the little artists.

The event’s Principal Sponsor, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, also gave generously to deprived children for a healthy start in life. Mr Peter Suen, Executive Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, said, “We have been following the ‘Do Good’ corporate philosophy and committed to carrying out the ‘Do Good Feel Good’ caring spirit. We are, in particular, care for children’s health and comprehensive development. As such, we have been supportive of UNICEF’s work, especially on programmes in rural China. We look forward to supporting every child in need around the world by mobilizing our staff and customers to participate in various events, including today’s competition.”

© UNICEF HK/2018

© UNICEF HK/2018

Since 2013, the Little Artists Big Dreams Drawing Competition has raised funds to support UNICEF’s CCT Project in China. The competition divides participants into four groups, each with first, second and third prize, as well as 20 consolation prizes. Each participant receives a certificate, and the top three group fundraisers also receive certificates.

From 23 March to 9 April 2018, members of the public can vote for their favourite art piece by visiting the UNICEF HK Facebook page. The art piece with the most likes will receive the Online Most Popular Award. Results will be announced on our website on 24 April 2018.

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Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF