China Cultural Chronicles

2,000 locals hike 50km for One Egg Project in Shanghai

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Residents in Shanghai have found a new way to help children in poverty. The One Egg Project attracted two thousand locals for a 50 kilometers hike on the outskirts of the city on Saturday. The organizer, Shanghai United Foundation, said one million yuan has already been collected by participants. Thanks to their efforts, malnourished children in the rural areas will have an egg in their daily diet.

This is the third time that locals in Shanghai are hiking for a cause.

The annual event started in 2010. Hikers, young and old, are all interested in this campaign.

To malnourished children in the rural areas, an egg in their daily
diet is a happy thing.

One hiker said, "I want to collect money for kids who can't afford an egg a day. I want them to be happy."

Another hiker said, "This is a dream for our whole family."

Hikers are encouraged to raise funds during the 50 kilometers course, from friends, families and spectators. The organizer has published the usage of the funds on their websites, a transparency that has reassured participants. But hiking for 50 kilometers is a harder task that most people think.

"It's sprain on my ankle."

"Then how can you carry on?"

"I'll walk slowly. I want to finish it."

"It's tiring and I might have to lie down tomorrow, but it is worthy if those kids can have an egg everyday."

To malnourished children in the rural areas, an egg in their daily diet is
a happy thing.

A report from China Development and Research Foundation shows that 12 in 1,000 kids in rural areas have been suffering from malnourishment. Insufficient nutrition has caused delay of their physical development. But their situation can be largely improved if they have an egg in daily diet. The organizer of the One Egg Project says with the 1 million yuan collected in the campaign this year, 5000 children can have an egg everyday for a year.