Operation Santa Claus: Hong Kong centre helps ethnic minority children with special needs get on track
- Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation’s centre for ethnic minority children offers free therapy sessions to youngsters with special needs, as well as guidance for parents
- The project, which will enter its third year in 2024, has helped 60 children so far
Nisma, an Egyptian mother who trailed her husband to Hong Kong four years ago, felt overwhelmed when her 12-year-old son was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), muscle weakness, dyslexia and heart problems.
“We did not know what to do,” said Nisma, who asked to use pseudonyms for herself and her son “Adam”.
She said the family had relied on the public healthcare system before learning about the Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation, which provided Adam with 10 free therapy sessions to help get his ADHD under control and develop his social skills.
“Before Zubin, my son wasn’t getting any help,” Nisma said. “I think the therapy is good … I see that he is becoming more well-adjusted, more aware, responsible and understanding of himself.”
Founded in 2013 to help ethnic minority children with special needs, the foundation will be able to help more people like Adam next year because its Special Educational Needs (SEN) Centre for Ethnic Minority Children is one of 15 charitable projects being funded by Operation Santa Claus (OSC) this year.
