- Students and staff at the kindergarten and primary school in Kowloon Tong organised sports games, photo-taking events and a ‘crazy hat and hair’ contest
- Marking its 35th anniversary this year, Operation Santa Claus is an annual fundraising campaign co-organised by South China Morning Post and RTHK
At Think International School, teacher Vanessa Wong (left, centre) and Deputy Head of Primary Matthew Green (right) help organise the school’s charity fun fair. Photo: HandoutWhen entering Think International School, a kindergarten and primary school in Kowloon Tong, visitors might notice the “Fundraising Thermometer” – a big poster taped to a playground wall showing how much money the school has raised for its fundraising drive to support Operation Santa Claus (OSC).
“We have different activities we are doing to raise money for needy people. … We need to raise HK$6,000,” said Kimaya, a Year Six student.
With enthusiasm from staff, parents and students, donations reached HK$4,000 by early December.
Hong Kong school fosters culture of giving with ‘free dress days’
OSC is an annual fundraising initiative co-organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK. Since 1988, it has raised HK$353 million to support the Hong Kong community through 323 charitable projects.
This year, for its 35th anniversary, OSC is funding 15 charitable projects, including those that help the disabled, migrant workers in distress, and children in need.
Over the last 13 years, Think International School has donated more than HK$30,000 to OSC. In the past, it raised between HK$3,000 to HK$4,000 in a year, but this time, the school set a target of HK$6,000 because students had returned to in-person learning.
The older students helped plan the fundraising events.
“I organised a benchball sport [game]. You throw the ball to teammates sitting on the bench,” explained Kunal, a Year Six student on the student council.
Mayu, another Year Six student, pointed out: “You can even have fun while helping people.”
Other fundraising activities included a “crazy hat and hair” competition, priced at HK$10 per entry, and parents could donate HK$10 for a Christmas film ticket. There was even a photo-taking opportunity for which parents donated HK$20 to HK$50 for their children to take a picture with Santa.
“Our parents are very supportive,” said the school’s deputy head of primary, Matthew Green.
Operation Santa Claus: Teaching children how to give back to those in need
Dressed as Old Saint Nicholas even though he was struggling to stay cool in the sunny weather, Green posed for photos with pupils, who were wearing reindeer headbands and other festive accessories, as they crammed inside the home-made cardboard sleigh set up in the schoolyard.
With Hong Kong being an affluent city, it is easy to forget there are people who need help. That is why the school teaches its students to help the disadvantaged.
“It’s important that our children understand they’re a valuable part of the community,” said Green.
Teacher Vanessa Wong said that Think International School had only 105 students, but described it as “a small school with a big heart”.
For more information on this year’s beneficiaries, please click here.