FOR children fleeing violent situations at home, they often arrive to refuges and emergency care with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Students at Mount Gambier North Primary School have sought to help the children who may have a lot to carry, but little of their own, through the Bear Bag initiative.
The students have been busy collecting basic, essential items to be gifted to children during periods of dislocation from home.
The bags contain items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, a drink bottle, facewasher, soap and pencils.
More than 20 were collated by the students, with donations coming in from the school and staff, the wider community and a donation from Kmart for the purchase of the reusable bags.
White Ribbon ambassador Phoenix Jones said the bags also included a journal and a handwritten note by students to children.
“If they are escaping a domestic violence situation, they can use the pencils and journal to write about how they are feeling,” she said.
“We also made a little bear for them to keep so they can feel safe.
“There are things in there that will keep their mind busy or distract them from what might be going on.
“All children deserve to live in safety and it would be a good world if women could grow up in a safe environment.”
North Primary teacher Sharon Mount said the “bear bag” idea was driven by the students after spending time with Centacare South East manager Craig Wood.
“Our White Ribbon group was working with Craig, who keeps them up to date on what is happening around domestic violence,” she said.
“During those discussions, it was revealed the people at women’s shelters were really looked after, but there was trouble reaching people in the more isolated areas.
“We have done a lot of activities as part of our 16 Days of Action, including participating in the Clothesline Project and we thought the bear bags would be another activity to do.”
The bags were presented to Limestone Coast Family Violence Action Group chair Sonya Mezinec at a White Ribbon assembly.
Ms Mezinec praised the students for their thoughtfulness, saying the bags would provide help to relive some of the stress endured by children in difficult situations.
“They are such a lovely thing to do and the bags will be welcomed by families and children affected by violence,” she said.
“To see these kids put together all of these things they think will help others in need is just incredibly caring.
“The handwritten notes inside are so thoughtful and if you were a child having a really tough time like that, I think the notes would make you feel like you are not alone in the world.”
Ms Mezinec said the family violence group would be collaborating with other agencies to determine how the bags would be distributed.
