UNICEF Receives Donation to Provide 1,800 Children with Sports Equipment

BEIJING, 26 February 2009 – At an afternoon reception held at the Embassy of India, Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative to China, accepted a donation from the British School of Beijing and the Indian Community of Beijing.

"I am delighted to accept this donation on behalf of children in China. UNICEF will use these funds to provide Sports Kits to children in central and western areas of China. Sports and recreation play an important role in helping children to develop self-confidence and teamwork and cooperation skills," said Dr. Nwe at the reception attended by the donors and Her Excellency Nirupama Rao, the Ambassador of India to China.

The donation, in the amount of RMB 12,000, will be used to supply 1,800 children in rural China with footballs, skipping ropes, badminton rackets and shuttlecocks, and other sports and recreation equipment.

Earlier in February, the British School of Beijing and the Indian Community of Beijing, a local organization, held a day-long bazaar to celebrate Indian culture. At the event, children and their families were able to try on saris, adorn their hands with henna, and taste Indian food.