Last year, Sojourners (<http://www.sojo.net>) requested letters from children addressed to President George Bush and world leaders, asking them to stand up for kids around the world. In their request, Sojourners noted that "every day 30,000 kids die around the world because they are too poor to get things like food or medicine." The letters were delivered to world leaders at the World Summit held in New York, September 13-16, 2005.

I shared this request for letters with a friend here in Hong Kong who teaches at a primary school, not knowing whether kids in Hong Kong really care about such issues. My friend passed it around to the other teachers before she urged her English class to think about writing to President Bush. Several other teachers also picked up the project, translating the information into Cantonese so their students could better understand it.

The results were astounding. In my column this month, I want to share portions of some of the letters these children wrote. Their wisdom and compassion is so clearly reflected in their brief messages that no further comments need to be made. My only hope is that President Bush and other world leaders will have the humility to read these letters and reflect on Isaiah's prophecy that "a child shall lead them."

Here are the messages in the children's own words.

Dear President Bush:
This is a call for help of the poor! Do you know how many children die of starvation, war and disease everyday? It's 30,000! They die before understanding what's love and peace. They die before knowing the taste of health and dignity!

Under the system of market economy, maybe it's inevitable to have rich people and poor people in the world. However, we see the wealth gap is getting bigger and is becoming more and more unacceptable.

As the son of God, you are taught to serve the poor. As the leader of a developed country, you have the responsibility to improve the situation. Don't you think it's a shame of yourself to let this happen?
Crystal Ho

Dear President Bush:
People are dying in front of him. He is surrounded by dozens of flies but he is too weak to drive them away. He feels so hungry... .

Mr. Bush, maybe you can never understand his situation. It's really hard to imagine but it's true. He's only one of the numerous people living in life of hardship.

I am writing to you because I am one who are lucky to live in a wealthy city that I not only have basic necessities but also basic education. My city gave me the chance to grow and through education I learnt to protect my own health and rights. But he don't.

I feel helpless for him. I am such a small potato that my greatest possible assistance to him is even insignificant. That's why I write to you, the president of powerful America, who truly can give him and many others the chance to escape the life of poverty.

You are the only one who can help him drive away the flies. Please help!
Yours sincerely,
Jo

Dear President Bush:
As the president of America, I know you feel sympathy with their [the children's] situation. And I know that you have the power to persuade people to help them. Therefore, instead of watching with folded arms, I think you should stand up for kids.
Yours sincerely,
Chan

Dear President Bush:
Please donate the food from the surplus of your country. And please.....NO WAR!
From: Kira

Dear Mr. President:
Life is precious. We have to cherish our life. However, every day 30,000 kids have no choice in their lives. It is because they have no money to get food or medicine and they die.

Why is the world so unfair? Some people do not want to be alive and they choose to suicide. Some people want to be alive but they have no chance. Why can't the government of each country do something to improve the tragedy?

As you are one of the most powerful leaders in the world, you can summon all the governments of other countries to appeal their nationals to donate money or material for helping those poor kids. I hope those capable persons can try their best to help and let the world have hope for future.
Sincerely,
Ivan Lee Ho Sing

Dear President Bush:
Are you a Christian?

God always say that everyone in the world is our neighbor. The meaning is we should do everything to help people around us if we can.

There are too many poor places in the world lacking of food and medicine. The people live there are tragical. Especially is the kids. I think they are the main victims. In their ages, they need to grow stronger. They need food to provide nutrition for growing. But they never or seldom get enough food they need. Their stomachs are always empty. They are becoming weaker and weaker, and that causes them to suffer many diseases. They are dying and in need of our help to relive.

Also, there is one thing I want to tell you whether you have heard it or not. Approximately 30,000 kids die around the world every day. It's a tragedy! Is it unbelievable? According this record, we can know those kids have to face the death everyday.

For saving the poor kids, I think you should provide some economic helps to their countries.
Sincerely,
Chiu Hok Fai