Hong Kong jazz musicians team with students to support special needs school

Art, play and outdoor excursions are everyday parts of school life. However, they're the lifeblood for students at Jockey Club Sarah Roe School, the only English-medium school in Hong Kong devoted to children with special learning needs.

"Art is important," says John Greene, chairman of its parent-teacher association. "The children get to do what they like and, more importantly, get satisfaction when they finish a task, especially if everyone clap their hands, or they can win a small prize.

"From the child's point of view, in this hard, horrible world where I am definitely one of the strange ones, this is great. 'Somebody appreciates what I did.' You may not see a lot of responses from these children, but they feel it, they sense it and they know it."

For this reason, the PTA has rallied professional jazz musicians and student musicians within the English Schools Foundation (ESF) network for a two-day fundraiser, aiming to raise HK$300,000 to construct a multi-sensory outdoor play area, expand the existing art room, and sponsor transport for off-campus excursions.

The fundraiser comprises two sections: the Hong Kong Jazz Family Fest, two evening performances featuring more than 40 professional musicians and an ESF student vocalist, Rhian Anderson. Part two is an afternoon event where 30 students from various ESF schools will showcase their talents.

It's the second time the PTA has organised this event. Last year, it raised HK$300,000, which funded the construction of multi-sensory facilities in the library, and a life-skills learning room, where students learn how to make beds, cook, clean up, wash and groom themselves.