MORE than 100 primary school students raised money for needy migrant workers yesterday in the busy Dongmen area, the first such event in the city.

The students, accompanied by their teachers or parents, raised one yuan (US$0.13) from each donor, which will go to a fund set up by the Shenzhen Charity Federation for needy migrants earlier this month.

For Liu Huiying, a fifth-grade student at Bibo Primary School, it was the first time she had collected donations on the street. "I watch television, and I know many migrant workers live a hard life," Liu told the Shenzhen Daily at a ceremony marking the government-sponsored event in Luohu District.

Holding a red donation box, Liu and her peers braved the warm sun and asked every passer-by in Dongmen: "Please offer kindness and donate one yuan." Some people shied away, but others could not refuse the request from a child - and were rewarded with a sticker bearing the symbol of the Shenzhen Charity Federation.

First-grade student Liu Yuxin and her mother raised more than 50 yuan within an hour. "The box is heavy. But it does not bother me. I' m more afraid of being turned down," said Liu. Her mother said they were frequently turned down, but undaunted.

Liu Runhua, director general of the civil affairs bureau, a major organizer of the event, said the activity was held to teach the children about charity work.

The fund for migrant workers has helped eight migrant workers since it was established in early March, said Peng Jincheng, head of a panel responsible for selecting those to be helped. Each was offered up to 20,000 yuan including Chen Zhongqiang, a leukemia patient.

Chen, who came from a village in Northeast China' s Heilongjiang Province three years ago, has been waiting for an operation, which will cost at least 200,000 yuan, a huge sum for the family.

Chen' s family had sought help from the media, and after his situation was reported, people had donated about 120,000 yuan, said his sister Chen Zhonghui.

The family received the 20,000 yuan from the migrant workers' fund yesterday. "It is timely help," said Chen Zhonghui.

Shenzhen Charity Association has asked the public for donations to the fund at account number 443066168012015038888, Bank of Communications, Shenzhen Bagualing Subbranch.

Editor: Wing