Voices from South Africa and the United States

Recently we received several letters from fans who wanted to share something with Jackie.

The first letter was a Chinese New Year Greeting from our friend Haarsha in South Africa.  She included a poem she wrote for Jackie and we are happy to share it with you here:

Being a Human Being

It’s smiles, it’s handshakes
It’s signs of peace and love
It’s posing for photos
It’s Jackie Chan!

There is a smile so genuine
There is a sparkle in those eyes
A heartbeat no one can hear
A dream in his mind no one can see

His story is known by all
Selected bits of his pain
Selected bits of his joy
Is shared with all

Some think he is perfect
Others think he is a genius
Some think he is God
Others know him as a warrior

People learn from his examples
People follow in his footsteps
People are inspired by his life
People fall in love with his heart

The very same heart that is loved by all
Has once been the cause of pain for a few
The very same man who is considered perfect
Is but only an imperfect human being

Genuine actions, genuine feelings
How hard is it to continue to be perfect, when you are not?
Ask him and those eyes will tell you
That learning from pain and failure is the answer

Learning from mistakes made as a human being
Regretting from pain caused as a human being
Learning to apply yourself diligently with sincerity
Is all about trying to be a perfect human being.

By Haarsha Balraj, 04 August 2004
Johannesburg, South Africa

Next we heard from Diane, a computer teacher in Pennsylvania.  She is also the editor of the school's newsletter and sent us a recent editorial that she wrote about Jackie and his charity work:

From America:  Editor's Thoughts:  No Act of Charity Too Small

While figuring out what to write for this month's article, I started word associating. February – Valentine’s Day – love – love for couples – love for mankind – charity – Jackie Chan.

Now I know you’re going to ask, as most Americans would, what does Jackie Chan have to do with charity?  We only know of him as that cute Chinese martial artist/film star with the great choreographed fight scenes, but he’s so much more.

I found out that most of Jackie’s time is spent helping those in need.  In 1988 he founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation which assists the people of Hong Kong and victims of natural disasters.  He’s an Ambassador for UNICEF, holds concerts as fundraisers ( I bet you didn’t know he could sing, either.  I’ve heard him, he’s good at that too) and recently handed out winter coats to Hong Kong’s elderly because he was worried that they were cold.

Here is a man that feels “driven” to help people, especially children, any way he can instead of sitting back and squandering his money.  He’s blessed with talent, luck, and health and he uses those blessings to benefit thousands and thousands of strangers.

We could all learn from Jackie Chan in that those of us blessed should do whatever we can to help those less fortunate.  Use whatever you’re good at to benefit someone else.  If money is a problem, you can always find some time to donate.  Volunteer at a nursing home to teach crafts or to read.  Clean out your closets and basements, then donate what you bought and haven’t used in years.  Just think if everyone did just a little bit more for someone else, maybe this world wouldn’t seem so big.  One of my 2006 New Year’s Resolutions is to “do” more charity.  I’m starting off with sending new blankets down to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

To learn more about Jackie, his movies, life, and charity works, check out www.jackiechan.com.  Go Jackie!!!

Thank you to Haarsha and to Diane for sharing with us.