Mr Ready Preps Kids For Disasters

With big eyes to observe the environment and hair that can transform into an antenna to collect information, Mr Ready teaches Hong Kong kids about disaster prevention.

The cartoon avatar for Mr Ready also has big ears to listen to the news.

The character is one of the stars in a play produced by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness & Response Institute that has been performed at 10 primary schools to raise disaster awareness.

“He looks like a smart kid and we want to tell children that everyone can be like Mr Ready,” the character’s designer Peter Ng said.

Mr Ng said the character embodies attributes that encourage students to be vigilant of the risks surrounding them.

In the drama, an actor playing Mr Ready leaps into action to rescue a group of hikers and teaches them ways to prevent calamity.

Justine Woo, director and writer of the play, said children could learn faster by watching the drama and interacting with the actors.

“Disaster preparedness and response is not simple. Drama education is effective. We recreate disaster scenes in the production to make it look more impressive. That way, the students will be happy to learn.”

She added that children would find it easier to remember what to do if they encounter disasters.

Early start

The play was a hit with students at Dr Catherine F Woo Memorial School.

Its principal Li Mei-sheung said it is essential to teach students about disaster preparedness and response from a young age.

“Even kindergarten students in Japan, where there are earthquakes, are taught disaster prevention. We think that this sort of education should begin earlier to teach students how to act when disaster strikes.”

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness & Response Institute was launched in 2014 by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine.

The institute worked with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong and Harvard University to set up a platform for disaster preparedness and response training, research policy discussion and knowledge exchange.

It holds workshops in schools and organisations and provides virtual reality training to government departments that handle disasters.

Safe community

The institute’s director Eva Lam pointed out studies have shown that Hong Kong people’s disaster awareness is low.

“In recent years, we have faced some serious disasters like typhoon Mangkhut, which happened last year, and typhoon Hato in 2017. We know that we will be facing more serious and more frequent disasters because of climate change.”

Ms Lam emphasised that teaching kids about disaster risk reduction can help build a safe community.

“Children actually can play their own role. They are not just waiting for rescue or assistance. They can play a role in disaster preparedness.

“So we hope that through disaster education to children they will learn that they have a role to respond and to prepare for disasters.”

She also hopes every primary school in the city can show the play and hold workshops on disaster prevention.