Hong Kong Disneyland, Operation Santa Claus team up to bring Christmas cheer to underprivileged children with creative workshop

Mickey Mouse, the beloved Disney character, was given new life through drawings by children from underprivileged Hong Kong families at a creative workshop held last month.

Forty-five children were invited to the session hosted by Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on November 20, where they learned how to illustrate Disney’s most famous mascot with the help of simple, step-by-step instructions from an artist and a sign language teacher.

The children were supported by three local charities listed among the 18 beneficiaries of this year’s Operation Santa Claus (OSC), an annual fundraising initiative of the South China Morning Post and RTHK since 1988.

The three groups - Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation, CODA Hong Kong and J Life Foundation - are committed to helping marginalised ethnic minorities, children of deaf adults, and disadvantaged families living in Sham Shui Po, respectively.

With Christmas approaching, the children were encouraged to design a unique Santa hat for their friend “Santa Mickey” during the workshop held at an old-style animation studio. They also took home Disney Christmas cards after enjoying a day at the resort with their family members.

“It is my first time drawing Mickey Mouse. I could not draw as well as the teacher, but the class and games we played were so much fun,” said Kiki, an eight-year-old who joined the workshop with her sister.

Derek Chan, a social worker at the Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation, said the workshop enabled the children to learn things beyond drawing.