Jackie Chan wows Aceh children

Jackie Chan wows Aceh children

The faces of children at the Lampeuneurut Children's Center in Banda Aceh light up. Their waiting game ends when they spot the familiar face of Hong Kong action movie star Jackie Chan.

"The one in orange is Jackie Chan," an awed nine-year-old Muhammad whispers to his two friends.

The star of Shanghai Noon and Rush Hour made a brief visit to the tsunami-hit Banda Aceh on Monday, as part of a goodwill gesture to victims of the Dec. 26 massive disaster.

To their frustration, Muhammad and other children could at first only watch their idol from a distance as Chan was mobbed by journalists and a throng of adult fans.

However, later when a photo session was held in a tent, several lucky children finally got to stand next to the star.

Fitrah, 10, could not hide her happiness when posing with her idol. "He looks very different from the movies, he's much more good looking in reality," said the girl, who said she loved Chan's kung fu movies.

Fitrah and Muhammad were two children who regularly attended the center's programs to help them recover from the tsunami trauma.

In his tour of Aceh, Chan -- who was accompanied by Miss World 2005 Peruvian Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia, British Olympic gold medalist athlete Daley Thompson and several other Hong Kong movie stars -- distributed US$4.8 million in donations.

At the children's center, he was welcomed with an Acehnese dance and later looked at the photos of children who were still searching for their missing families.

Chan also watched a documentary featuring Acehnese children and smiled as a child in the film said: "I want to be like Jackie Chan". (JP/Nani Afrida)