Film hero is reborn - Jet Li on a new mission

Jet Li had his epiphany while vacationing in the Maldives and now devotes his efforts to charitable causes

Lǐ Liánjié 李連杰, known to the world as Jet Li, is renowned for his martial arts action roles in movies such as the Lethal Weapon 4, Romeo Must Die and The One. This devout Buddhist monk quotes that he doesn't like violence and would like to focus his efforts on his charity foundation but continue acting as a hobby.

Jet Li's turning point was in 2004, while holidaying in the Maldives, when they were caught in the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami. Recalling his experience, he quoted "It was not like the movies. The water just rose so fast, I picked up my four year old daughter and the baby sitter got Jada, and we ran to the hotel from the beach." And he further added that "All the money and power in the world cannot save you from the waves. I had to do something."

After consulting with his wife, former Hong Kong actress Nina Li Chi, he donated $64,342.00 to tsunami effected people in a charity show and went on to setup his charitable foundation. The "One Foundation" is based on the notion that if each person donates US 14 cents a month, the donations can be transformed into a greater fund and that you need not be a millionaire, celebrity or a leader to share the responsibility to help others. Read the full article on Shanghai Daily website.