Discovery Mind Educational Organization has participated in Hong Kong’s annual Operation Santa Claus (OSC) fundraising drive for 18 years. For 13 of those years, it has been awarded the title of top school fundraiser by OSC, the annual fundraising campaign organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK.
The small community of 358 students over two kindergartens, one primary school, and play centres in Discovery Bay and Tung Chung has raised a total of HK$1,864,363 (US$238,307) over the years, said Kabeeta Gurung, Discovery Mind’s head of kindergarten.
“It’s something we are so proud of,” Gurung said.
But what’s the secret to its fundraising success?
Gurung revealed that it’s the unity among the school staff, parents and students.
“And that’s the essence of who we are; it’s our partnership with our parents that makes every activity we do so meaningful and purposeful,” said Gurung.
She recognises there have been many changes since Covid-19 and that people’s salaries may have been affected. Because of this, the school doesn’t set a target fundraising amount; it simply sends sponsor forms to parents, and they and their children become like Christmas elves. This year, the Discovery Mind community raised HK$40,000.
Pupils raise money for Operation Santa Claus with charitable ‘free dress days’
On November 18, the school community celebrated their efforts with its annual Christmas carnival, where staff, parents and students dressed in festive outfits, played games, and enjoyed Christmas-inspired foods like fairy bread and gingerbread cookies. The carnival also allowed staff to bond with parents and build on their existing relationships.
Gurung said Discovery Mind starts fostering a sense of compassion in children with its earliest learners, around age two.
Adam Rose, a parent at the school, said fundraising for OSC was as simple as going to work with a sheet of paper and collecting money.
“It’s easy because people can see OSC; it’s a very visible charity, and that really helps,” Rose said. “It’s a great cause and helps make Hong Kong a better place. I think people enjoy being a part of that effort.”
Filippos Cuccagna, a 10-year-old Year Six student, said he has been participating since kindergarten.
“I tell my parents to take some money out of my bank account and send it to the school because my mom always says it’ll come back to me,” Cuccagna said.
He said he enjoys knowing that the money goes to help people in need: “They might starve or be unable to do their tasks,” he said. “It makes me feel happy, like warm and fuzzy sometimes, [that I’m helping people].”
Pupils give to Operation Santa Claus while practising English, having fun
Gurung said OSC provides a way for the school to teach its students the importance of giving.
“Everybody knows about it in Hong Kong. The targets, the goals, the pictures in the paper. [The students] can see, feel and be in it,” said Gurung. “It benefits so many people.”
Regardless of how much money is raised, Gurung said what matters most is that everyone enjoys making an effort: “We might not be the biggest fundraiser, but we have compassion and community. We love doing it.”
Since 1988, Operation Santa Claus has raised HK$369 million to support the Hong Kong community through 338 charitable projects. There are 15 charitable projects of worthy causes being funded by OSC this year.
For more information on this year’s beneficiaries, please click here.
