Students from Shung Tak Catholic English College believe Operation Santa Claus (OSC) is a great opportunity to help the needy, and at the same time boost their English skills and general knowledge.
They organised a series of fund-raising activities for OSC on December 19. The students set up booths selling souvenirs and food they had made themselves, and also staged various performances, including a singing contest with proceeds from the ticket sales going to OSC.
Besides preparing for the fund-raising events, the students took time out to know more about the charity campaign's beneficiaries.
'Before hosting the events, students had to read through articles about different OSC beneficiaries in the South China Morning Post. Then they did research and submitted proposals suggesting which beneficiary they wanted to help the most,' said Brenda Lee, the school's head of English. 'It was a great chance for them to practise English and learn more about the different types of needy people in our society.'
Ms Lee said the students chose The Samaritans - a 24-hour suicide prevention hotline - as their beneficiary. She said the students were impressed by the volunteers who listen to the problems of troubled people and help them explore their options.
Students believe it is a service that should be widely promoted, Ms Lee added.
