Kong Animation Studio has partnered with Syneos Health and the Rare Care Centre (RCC) to create a heartfelt new animated short aimed at helping primary school students and teachers better understand the lived experiences of children with rare and undiagnosed diseases.

The Story

The 3-minute 2D animation follows a young girl named Dia through two contrasting school days. In the first, her unique needs are misunderstood by peers and teachers; in the second, those around her respond with empathy and informed support.

Animation with Purpose

Designed as an educational resource, the film encourages greater inclusion and awareness among children aged 6 to 8 and the educators who guide them.

Commissioned by the Rare Care Centre—a statewide, cross-sector care coordination service supporting children and adolescents with rare and undiagnosed diseases in Western Australia—the animation is intended as a global educational tool. RCC and its partners hope the project will help foster empathy in classrooms around the world while drawing greater attention to the challenges faced by families living with rare diseases.

“From the start, it was clear that the team at Syneos wanted to do something ambitious with this project, and I felt aligned with their creative direction. We landed on a hand-drawn, painterly 2D aesthetic, brought to life with a cast of colourful characters and beautifully textured backgrounds. The score and sound design lifted everything emotionally. It was a true labour of love, and an enjoyable collaboration. We were given a lot of freedom—but I think that’s because we shared a strong vision from day one.” — Tom Baker, Director, Kong Animation Studio

The animation will be made available to educators and organisations internationally as a free classroom resource.