‘Little Buddies’ on a mission: Hong Kong Red Cross’ leadership classes for children to benefit from funds raised by Operation Santa Claus
- Conceived in 2019, the programme aims to build leadership skills, health awareness and discipline among children
- It is one of 19 beneficiaries of this year’s Operation Santa Claus, the annual fundraising initiative by the South China Morning Post and RTHK
“First, you need to clean the wound,” said seven-year old Jovon Lee Yu-hon when asked what he would do if he saw a friend had fallen over and injured himself. “Then, you need to wrap it with this,” he said, pointing to a roll of bandages on the table.
Jovon also showed knowledge in using an automated external defibrillator, a device used to help save people in cardiac arrest. He correctly pointed to where the machine’s pads were supposed to go – one on the right side of the chest and another just beneath the left armpit.
Even at a tender age, he already knew basic first aid skills – something he learned from being a “Little Buddy” at the Hong Kong Red Cross.
The Red Cross Little Buddies effort, conceived in 2019, aims to build leadership skills, health awareness and discipline among local children studying in Primary One and Two.
According to Sandy Wong Sau-man, staff officer of the Red Cross’ youth and volunteer department, the programme’s goal is to develop leadership skills in children. It is also part of the organisation’s effort to spread its humanitarian message to the very young.
“To put it simply, it embarks them on the journey of learning about humanitarianism,” she said.