Hong Kong is known as one of the most spendthrift places in the world. Yet it's always been a very giving and caring city.
Two fundraising events have been scheduled for this week alone - both organised by international students.
The students are united by a common goal: to raise money for charitable causes. In the process, they can also showcase their talents.
Yesterday evening, an interschool fundraising talent show called R11 was staged at the Canadian International School. All proceeds went to the Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre (HKRAC), an NGO dedicated to providing legal advice and representation for refugees in Hong Kong. HKRAC helps people as they await approval of their refugee status by the UN.
Four schools were involved in the event, both as performers and organisers: Chinese International School, South Island School, West Island School and Canadian International School. The schools' primary goal is to raise awareness of the hardships endured by refugees and to raise money to help them.
Organisers had spent three to five months making preparations. The four schools divided duties among themselves. 'Each school was responsible for different parts of organising,' explains Rachel Li, an event organiser who is a student at West Island School. 'We were in charge of promotion. South Island was in charge of providing food. Chinese International was in charge of securing a location for the event. And Canadian International was in charge of setting up equipment.'
Rachel, 16, and other students first learned about HKARC's work when a representative gave a talk at their school. 'She was talking about the charity, about refugees and what they go through,' she says.