Jackie Chan visits trafficked children

World-famous martial arts icon and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Jackie Chan kicked off his second day in Mandalay, central Myanmar, with a visit to a center for trafficking survivors.

Jackie says: “Children are not for sale!”
© UNICEF Myanmar/2012/Myo Thame

There, he met with girls who managed to escape from the traps of traffickers and have been able to return to their country. The staff of the center help the girls with their repatriation process, provide counseling and support and also train the girls in vocational skills such as embroidery.

Straight from there Jackie went to a monastery school which is home to children whose parents cannot look after them or who cannot receive an education in their home villages. Nine-year old Mg Mg showed Jackie his bunk bed and “treasure box” where he keeps all his belongings - 5 pieces of clothes and two exercise books.

Jackie is always on the go and moves non-stop. Instead of stopping for lunch he wanted to go directly to the next UNICEF-supported project, a residential care center.

Welcoming him with a loud and cheerful “hello” 200 boys and girls showed Jackie traditional dances, martial art moves and checked out his soccer skills on their playground.

At a school for deaf children Jackie learned how the kids there say his name in sign language. One finger on each site of the mouth symbolizes his smile.

Jackie shows his name in sign language to deaf school children in Mandalay.
© UNICEF Myanmar/2012/Myo Thame

He finished his day at non-formal education school, where he was told by a 13-year old girl that she attends this evening school because she has to work during the day. She picks tea leaves and earns an equivalent of US $2 per day, with which she supports her mother.

At each location Jackie Chan was greeted with cheers from hundreds of fans, who love his movies are were so excited to have Jackie in their country.

To get more updates follow Jackie’s trip on Twitter #Jackie4kids and here.