The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation issued a postcard on Monday to pool greetings and financial help for the May 12 earthquake-affected pupils as the Chinese New Year on January 26, 2009 draws near.

The postcard, featuring next year's zodiac animal sign "ox", would be sold for 10 yuan (US$1.5) each at Beijing post offices and on the project's website www.xinchangcheng.org. Each postcard would go with a maple leaf used at the closing ceremony of this September's Beijing Paralympics.

Chen Hongtao, The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation's manager of the New Great Wall Project, said at Monday's launch ceremony, "We're not only raising money for the children, but also trying to send them our love and care."

On each envelope is written the name and address of a pupil to be helped, Chen said, noting each letter involves a 2.4 yuan postal charge.

"Those who are willing to help can just buy the card, write down the greetings and post it," he said. "The remaining money would be used to set up a scholarship to reward pupils who fight hard in life or perform well at school."

So far, more than 40,000 cards have been booked by about 100 companies, universities, elementary schools and individuals, said Liu Wenkui, standing vice secretary general of the Foundation.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2008)