(Ecns.cn)--A group of volunteers were inviting strangers passing by on the streets of Xi'an to give them a smile. Xi'an is the sixth station of the campaign "Smile Together" which hit the city on November 20 and will travel to 10 cities across China by the World AIDS Day on December 1. The street theatre is appealing to common people to act against discrimination based on an HIV positive status, and for employers' consent to uphold employment equity for HIV-infected group.
The campaign "Smile Together" was sponsored by a young volunteer surnamed Ma who received financial support from the non-profit organization Tianxia Gong (literally "a world for all") located in Tianjin. Ma, a tall, energetic young man, was the first HIV carrier to come out in Tianjin city.
10,000 smiling faces
Ma and his five volunteers wore red ribbons and held a billboard saying "Smile Together" when they showed up at Zhonggulou Square in Xi'an city at 10 a.m., reported the Xi'an Evening Paper, and throughout the day chatted with passers-by and explained the activity.
After hearing the volunteers' small speech, some of the passers-by accepted signs with slogans such as "I'm willing to make friends with HIV-infected people", "I'm willing to work with HIV-infected people in the same company." and had their picture taken smiling with the volunteers.
Ma has collected 7,000 images of the HIV-fearless, on a journey radiating out from Shanghai, through Nanjing, Changsha, Nanchang, Hefei, and now Xi'an. He plans to collect over 10,000 by the time he has reached his four destinations on World Aids Day.
The collection of smiling faces, showing warmth and acceptance for employment equity for the HIV-infected population, will be posted online and delivered to the government, aiming to arouse public and governmental attention.
Fear and support co-exist
The campaign was somewhat marred by those who still harbor a fear of AIDS. Some turned away immediately when Ma told them he was afflicted. "I still feel uncomfortable picturing myself working with HIV-infected people", said a Mr. Qin.
"I know it is unlikely you will get infected. But once you are infected, HIV is impossible to cure" said a Ms. Zhou.
But still a great number of citizens showed their support and posed for pictures with volunteers, including Ma. Some of them even gave Ma a warm hug. The open-minded included fashionable young people, common security guards, energetic college students and white-haired retirees.
What touched Ma most was a kind, wheelchair-bound grandpa in Hangzhou city station who promised Ma, "My legs are unable to move, but I will sit here and accompany you all the same." Ma said this old man's words made him feel he is not alone.
