During yesterday's Beijing press conference, movie star Chen Kun shared his experiences as China's United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) ambassador and talked about his field trip to one of China's poorest counties to visit the children there..

Chen Kun visited Nayong County, Guizhou, in early December to learn about UNICEF's support for the education, hygiene and sanitation of the area's children. This was his first mission for UNICEF.

"You may hear about it from others, you may see it on TV or in the newspaper," Chen said of his experience of visiting children in Nayong, "But you have to visit the area to understand the hardness and feel the despair with every inch of your skin. By the end of my visit I was moved to tears."

For children affected by poverty in remote rural areas, educational resources can be quite limited. Many of the classrooms Chen Kun visited, contained 70-80 pupils being taught by one single teacher. The team also witnessed many children living in very small rented rooms near their school, while their parents lived either far away in more remote villages or had migrated to the urban areas as to find better employment.

"I am glad that my very first visit brought me to Nayong County. We saw the actual situation there. Education is of great importance to the entire nation," Chen continued. "The child's learning environment and the process of developing their thinking skills are the two areas in particular that deserve our respect and attention."

"Anyone can become a UNICEF ambassador of UNICEF, as long as you are willing to do something for children," he said.

The Child Friendly School project is a long term project set up by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education with the aim of improving overall education in primary schools. The Child Friendly School model focuses on four dimensions, including: Firstly, ensuring schools are inclusive and equitable for all boys and girls; second, the introduction of holistic, child-centered teaching and greater teacher support; third, creating a safe, supportive and healthy school environment; and finally, develop real opportunities for children to participate, question and discover.

"China has made great strides forward in providing equal access to school for all children," said Dale Rutstein, UNICEF China Officer in Charge. "We are very excited that Chen Kun's first field trip with UNICEF helps focus public attention on the great need for all stakeholders to support improved quality and equity in China's schools."

Chen Kun participated in the UNICEF education sector planning mission designed to help launch the latest phase of the more than ten- year-long joint project of UNICEF and the Ministry of Education. The team visited two schools and several students' homes to learn about the specific conditions and opportunities for this project.

Chen Kun played with the Nayong County school children. The UNICEF Child Friendly School project emphasizes a safe, healthy protective school environment. Sports and recreation equipment are provided so that the children can have fun and learn to cooperate.

"I visited two schools and experienced in-person the different aspects of rural students' lives. Their innocent smiles inspire my confidence in the ability of the Child Friendly School project to portray an effective model for those deprived counties and villages in dire need of improvements in the field of education." Chen Kun observed.

Since 2009, the Child Friendly School model has been a key strategy for improving both the equity and quality in China's basic education.

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