KEY POINTS:
After an earthquake ravaged her home province in China, and with family members among the 18,200 still missing, film producer Sylvia Yang, 25,is looking for Kiwi smiles to send home.
Over the past week, Miss Yang, an Auckland University graduate, has been asking people to send her smiling
pictures of themselves, and she has even taken to the streets with her colleagues to snap photographs of people's smiles.
She said the smiling faces would be put together in the shape of a Chinese map and filmed as a Kiwi contribution for a tribute show on China's second-largest network, Hunan TV.
"It will be something visual, where people in China can see that the thoughts of New Zealanders are with them in this, their difficult time."
Calling the project China.smile, Miss Yang said she had been inspired by a photograph being circulated on the internet of a quake victim - a teenager who managed a smile after being buried under rubble for 20 hours and losing both her legs.
The smiling photo of the 15-year-old student, Gao Ying, spread quickly on the internet, winning her gushing fans, with some even referring to "the quake's most beautiful smile".
"At a time of pain and suffering, this shows how much relief a smile can bring," said Miss Yang, who is a New Zealand citizen.
"What the earthquake victims need now more than money is something to lift their spirits, and I am hopeful that smiles can do the trick."
Miss Yang, who moved here 10 years ago from Sichuan, China, is still trying to locate a grand-uncle and his family after last month's earthquake.
On Monday, Miss Yang and her colleagues will be at Aotea Square from 10am to 6pm seeking donations - of smiles.
TAKING TO STREETS FOR VICTIMS
Soon after the Sichuan earthquake, Auckland businessman Tan Tee Seang donated to the victims through the Chinese Consulate.
But wanting to encourage others to do the same, Mr Tan thought the best way for him to do so was to become their "middle man".
So, whenever he has free time, Mr Tan will pick a donation bucket, don a self-made sandwich board bearing posters of the quake victims, and choose a street in Auckland.
He said he had raised over $1500 from his "donation walks" down Dominion Rd, Queen St, Newmarket and markets like Avondale and Otara, where he runs a stall selling cookies.
"Many people want to donate and help the victims, but don't know where to give their money," he said. "So, in a way, I make it happen for them and bring what they give to the local Chinese Consulate office."
Mr Tan, originally from Malaysia, said he "had nothing to do with China", nor does he personally know anyone affected by the quake - but he was moved to do "something more than just give money" after watching the news.
"What I know is China's one-child policy, and as a father myself I can feel the grief and heartache of the Chinese parents losing their only child," he said.
The Sichuan earthquake destroyed 7000 classrooms and killed an estimated 9000 pupils.
Mr Tan said what keeps him going is the generosity of Kiwis - and even street beggars have dug deep into their own hats to throw in a few coins for the earthquake victims.
However, while his intention may be good, a police spokesman has advised others not to solicit donations but to work with recognised organisations like the Red Cross Society instead.
