Lessons in compassion as preschoolers walk tall for charity
Children at Hong Kong kindergarten don their festive favourites in 4km walk for those not so fortunate
Children from Discovery Bay schools led a 4km charity trek to raise money for those less fortunate than themselves.
Clad in commemorative red T-shirts and Santa hats, the pupils from Discovery Mind schools were among 500 participants in the walk from the preschool in Peninsula Village to Siena Park.
Over the years the schools have raised more than HK$1.3 million for Operation Santa Claus (OSC), the annual charity campaign organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK. The sponsored walk usually generates about HK$100,000 in donations.
This was the 11th year for Discovery Mind to hold the event, and for the past eight years it has won the Top School Fundraiser Award.
Rochelle Ferreira took her two daughters, five-year-old Chanel and three-year-old Selela, on the walk for the first time.
“It was a very nice event,” she said. “It gives you a different perspective on things. It was good to help them see that. At Christmas time particularly, I always tell them they are so lucky to have what they have, and that there are so many children who do not have much.”
Jane Wilson, head of the international section at Discovery Mind, said the walk has become a popular school tradition.