- Students and teachers at the international school in Hong Kong worked together to create exciting activities that encouraged participants to donate money
- The annual fundraising drive is organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK
For the school’s Santa Fun Day, a Year Six student applied what he had learned from his Integrated Studies lessons to make a “buzz wire” game. Photo: Korean International SchoolStudents at the Korean International School (KIS) in Hong Kong showed a charitable spirit as they took part in two events last December to raise funds for Operation Santa Claus (OSC).
The annual fundraising drive is organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK. Marking its 35th anniversary, OSC has raised HK$353 million to support the Hong Kong community through 323 charitable projects since its launch in 1988. A total of 15 charity projects are being funded this year.
The school’s Santa Fun Day on December 16 featured game booths and fun Christmas activities for primary students. Children could donate HK$20 for the chance to wear casual dress in the Christmas colours of red, green or white, HK$40 for a chance to play at game booths and also HK$40 to have a photo taken with Santa.
All donations went to OSC. The event was organised largely by teachers, with some of the games created by primary school students.
At the Christmas Market organised by secondary school students on December 20, children paid between HK$5 and HK$20 for a ticket to play at one of the game booths. Half of the proceeds from the ticket sales were donated to OSC.
“We are very excited about participating in this charity campaign, as we have been involved with OSC for the past 20 years,” said school principal Christopher Chadwick.
“What is particularly pleasing about supporting OSC is that we get together as one whole school. Both primary and secondary students have the challenge and objective to raise money for OSC – everybody takes part in some way and makes a contribution, everyone has fun and enjoys themselves and raises as much money as possible for OSC,” he added.
Sonia Borthakur, the deputy head of secondary at KIS, said the school’s partnership with OSC raised students’ awareness of the causes and charities supported by the campaign.
Think International School’s creative events raise funds for charity
Dayton Leung, a Year Six student, applied what he had learned from Integrated Studies lessons to make a “buzz wire” game for one of the booths at Santa Fun Day. For the activity, players had to carefully move a metal loop along a piece of wire from one end to the other without letting the loop touch the wire, or there would be a buzzing sound.
“We want to share fun and knowledge with other students in school while helping the less fortunate,” said Dayton, adding that he wanted everyone to have a happy Christmas and new year.
Catriona Mannion, a Year 12 student who helped plan the Christmas Market, said the event gave senior students the chance to gain experience in leadership and learn about OSC.
“I understand it supports a range of charities. Exposing students to OSC and their beneficiaries helps ignite their passion for supporting charitable causes,” Catriona said.
For more information on this year’s beneficiaries, please click here.