Announcement: Recipients of Le Va Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Fund

‘E fofō e le alamea le alamea’
The solutions to preventing suicide within our Pasifika communities, lie within our Pasifika communities.

We are pleased to announce the names of the recipients of the Le Va Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Fund.

Le Va is administering the Fund on behalf of the Suicide Prevention Office to empower Pasifika families and communities to prevent suicide. We received an overwhelming response from our Pasifika communities from all over the country, with applications totalling in excess of $9 million. With an exceptionally high calibre of applications that showed innovation and heart and a fund pool of close to $1 million, the selection process proved to be even more difficult.

With the support of an external panel we have narrowed our list of 2020 recipients to these18 applicants:

• Te Papalaulelei Youth – youth engaging workshops in the Porirua Tokelauan community that focuses on cultural identity, intergenerational engagement, mental wellbeing and resilience.
• Resonate – a creative arts project utilising contemporary and Pacific art forms to tell the story of a young Pasifika male’s experience with depression and anxiety.
• FAFSWAG Queer Indigenous Arts Collective – a digital resource by and for the rainbow community.
• South Waikato YMCA – a South Waikato Barber Chair programme targeting young men aged between 12 –18 years.
• Tongan Society South Canterbury Incorporated – a suite of hard copy and digital resources translated into Lea Fakatonga (Tongan language).
• Vaka Pasifika – a Tongan specific programme targeting Tongan men, focusing on healthy relationships.
• Waikato Pacific Youth Network – a series of youth events, including a youth Fono and sports day, in the Waikato region for Pasifika youth.
• Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust will deliver the AIGA programme, two classes per week for Pasifika youth in a boxing gym aligned to building resilience and self-confidence. The programme will assign Pasifika mentors to Pasifika youth.
• Du Val Foundation – a 30-day online programme for young Pasifika males.
• Tunuma Creatives – a Pacific Men’s digital portal, use recorded music and deliver workshops for Pacific men and assess their lifelong aspirations.
• NZ Rugby League – a wellbeing roadshow around the country to different rugby league districts, to deliver educational workshops alongside Le Va and develop champions.
• PHAB Association Incorporated – resources and workshops run by young people addressing suicidal ideation, cultural identity, and connection for Pasifika youth with disabilities.
• Feel Technologies – a digital app to support Pasifika wellbeing and suicide prevention.
• Zeal Education Trust – a range of theatre workshops, showcase events and mentoring sessions for Pasifika youth aged between 13 – 18 years.
• Love Somebody Charitable Trust – 10 digital resources showcasing Pasifika celebrities and influencers sharing key messages of hope along with workshops in small group sessions.
• Mission4 Men Charitable Trust – a holistic men’s programme targeted within the Palmerston North Samoan community.
• South Seas Healthcare Trust – a youth peer mentoring programme for Pasifika young people.
• Gateway Community Trust – a programme to enhance wellbeing through a family-led suicide prevention campaign, targeting families bereaved by suicide.

Watch this space as we profile each of these exciting projects over the coming weeks via our social media channels.