Noted mainland actress Zhang Jingchu, who plays a rescuer working in the quake zone in Feng Xiaogang's new film The Tangshan Earthquake (Tangshan Da Dizhen), works as a philanthropist in real life, too.

The actress, who also appeared in the award-winning films Peacock (Kongque) and John Rabe, is ambassador of the charity SiyuanAOC Rainbow Plan, founded by China Siyuan Foundation for Poverty Alleviation and AOC Monitor. Since starting a year ago, the plan has been financially supporting education in Sichuan province's quake zone. And since June, 100 university graduates have been recruited as volunteer teachers in 100 schools. AOC will provide the schools with computers and online libraries.

Zhang, who grew up in an ordinary workers' family in impoverished Yong'an city in Fujian province, says she will do her best to fulfill her job, encouraging more people to join the cause.

(China Daily September 10, 2009)