The traditionally yellow and white protective gear that has become a symbol of Ebola treatment in West Africa got a makeover on Christmas Eve as four medical workers in Liberia transformed into Santa, elves and Frosty the Snowman with the help of a little spray paint.

Workers at the International Medical Corps treatment unit in Bong County used what they could to bring Christmas cheer to the sick. Santa, played by Paul, a logistician from Florida, painted his gear red and used inflated plastic bags to add some chunk to his waist, Maia Baldauf, an emergency program officer for International Medical Corps wrote for Quartz.

Eoin, a psychological manager from Ireland, and Amaia, a nurse from Spain, colored their suits green and took on the roles of Santa’s elves. Frosty the Snowman’s costume, worn by Joshua, a WASH engineer from Scotland, included a carrot nose, drawn-on buttons and a top hat.

The quartet of Christmas characters sang carols and doled out soda, lappas (brightly colored cloth), toys and candy to patients, who included children and a 35-week pregnant woman.

A psychological nurse from Liberia told Baldauf that the festivities could reduce the stigma attached to being treated at the unit and the misunderstandings about the workers’ mission.

“If people in the community think that we are just confining their people here, they will feel good when they hear about this celebration,” Garmai, the nurse, said. “We can show them pictures and maybe it will change their minds. They will see we are people who really care about them, not just as patients, but as human beings.”

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