Last week, students at the Discovery-Bay-based Hong Kong International Learning Academy (HKILA) put on a pair of fundraising projects for two very important causes in the Latau community. HKILA students firstly organised a bake sale for the Tai O Community Cattle Group (TOCCG) to help with their initiative of procuring fluorescent bilingual “no feeding” collars for the local feral cow and buffalo population, in an attempt to both avoid road accidents involving the cows, as well as to discourage tourists from feeding the cattle inappropriate food. The school also participated in a special fancy dress day in support of one of their own students.
Ms. Karin Munkholm, a teacher at HKILA, explains that “Students in our Plus and Advance groups were tasked with a business enterprise project of raising funds for the community as part of their Global Perspectives lessons this term. They researched local initiatives and decided [the TOCCG] was a worthy cause and one in which they would easily be able to make a difference in terms of funds raised.”
According to Ms. Munkholm, the students were entirely responsible for organising the September 12 event, and for baking what was sold on the day. She is very happy with the overall result stating that “we were delighted that a school with only 40 children on the roll managed to raise HK$2500 for TOCCG. That’s a lot of collars!
“We would like to say a BIG thank you to all of our students, parents and local business neighbours Bayside Dental, T8 Consulting in the North Plaza and the local community for their generous support.”
TOCCG Chairwoman Kathy Daxon was pleasantly surprised when she heard the news: “they have our heartfelt appreciation for thinking of the cows, and for all of their hard work.”
On Friday September 13, the school participated in an event that was very close to home. Students, parents and staff all dressed in gold as a part of their “Going Gold for Cancer” initiative for HKILA student Hannah Meeson and her mother Gaylene to help them raise funds for the St Baldrick’s Foundation that researches childhood cancers. “[Everyone] went totally golden for the day… sporting gold clothing, gold ribbons, gold faces and golden nails for the event. Once again we were amazed with the generosity of our HKILA community, raising HK$4020 for St. Baldrick’s.”
Ms. Munkholm, on behalf of the whole of HKILA, wishes Hannah and Gaylene the very best of luck on Friday September 20 as they ‘Brave the Shave’ in Grand Cayman. “We are very proud of them!”
If you would like to help contribute to Gaylene’s sixth shave, you can visit her donation page here.