Art therapy for Samoa

JASON OXENHAM

MOVING ON: Auckland Girls Grammar School pupils, from left: Juanita Nanai, Danielle Fuemana, Seira Su’e, Christina Tui with Reef Freight director Michael Jones have packed a pallet of art supplies bound for Samoa.

Relevant offers

SAMOAN children still reeling from last year's devastating tsunami will receive therapy through art thanks to a central Auckland secondary school's heartfelt fundraising drive.

Pupils from Auckland Girls Grammar School were so affected by the September tsunami, which caused severe destruction to the southern side of the island Upolu, they set to work to help heal the damage.

Deputy head girl Danielle Fuemana says the situation was an eye-opener for lots of pupils who were all keen to give support, so the project they got involved in is called Moving On.

"Many students from our school sadly lost family members, which made it real for everyone," she says.

"A seventh form Auckland Girls Grammar sister from last year lost 45 family members. We can only imagine the grief she and her family still feel."

Moving On uses art education as a therapeutic catalyst for young victims of the tsunami and is being run by the National University of Samoa, the Fatu Feu'u Foundation and the Okaioceanikart gallery.

Three secondary schools and 17 primary schools will take part in the programme.

"We wanted to help with the emotional side which is why the Moving On project appealed to our school," Danielle says.

"Researchers believe that art therapy will be particularly beneficial to young people, who are often less comfortable expressing themselves with words."

The school raised more than $1600 that was generously matched and then doubled by the company National Arts Supplies which donated more than $5000 worth of art supplies including paints, brushes, paper and adhesives.

However, company manager Ross Hinton is modest about his contribution.

"Most of it is down to the girls for ringing me.

"It's for a worthy cause and it's nice that it goes to a direct end user. It's for a specific purpose."

The pallet of art supplies will also be shipped by Reef Freight, which has kindly agreed to send the art supplies to Samoa free of charge.

Former All Black Michael Jones, who is also the director of the shipping company, says New Zealand's aid response has been overwhelming and he feels privileged to play a part.

"As a proud Kiwi myself it is to be expected.

"It's part and parcel of who we are and we are happy to assist where we can," Mr Jones says.

"Auckland Girls Grammar's response again is a wonderful reflection of the compassion and generosity of New Zealanders.

"The girls there really took it on themselves to do a really special thing that will be so well received."

- © Fairfax NZ News