After you have lost everything in a bushfire a kind act goes a long way and gives the person on the receiving end a sense of hope.
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Many Conjola Park residents not only got a dose of hope recently - they got a Convoy of Hope.
Convoy of Hope, a non-government organisation, started a program called 'Regrow' earlier this year.
The program's aim was to supply people with plants as part of their rebuilding process.
On Friday at Hoylake Park in Conjola Park the first lot of plants were given to residents who are in the process of starting to rebuild their homes.
A special ceremony, including a Welcome to Country, was held to mark the occasion.
The 'Regrow' initiative started after program and business manager for Convoy of Hope, Kevin Cassanego, met Frank Condello who lost his home and the popular Yatte Yattah Nursery in the bushfire crisis.
"He was telling his story of how he lost his home and livelihood and nearly lost his life," Kevin said.
"It just did not seem right."
Kevin got thinking and knew plants would be the last thing on the list of things people would have on the rebuild list.
The 'Regrow' idea was a brilliant one but then Kevin had another piece of inspiration.
He decided to get local school children involved in the program and for the past few months, the children have been looking after the plants.
Conjola Park resident Karen Lessa is Kevin's "on the ground" volunteer helper.
Karen, a former Ulladulla High School deputy principal, and strong community advocate used her connections to advance the project.
She felt it was important for young people to feel part of their community and get the opportunity to give something back.
"They are giving back to their community and makes them feel like they belong," she said.
"The project is fantastic and it was good to see the smiles on the kids' faces."
Students at St Mary's Milton, Ulladulla Public, Milton Public, Ulladulla High and Nowra Anglican College took part in the program.
Some students from St Mary's and Nowra Anglican College, on Friday, then got to represent their school at the plant hand-over.
The students were happy and honoured to take part in the program because their aim was to help people who had lost everything in the bushfire.
Frank and Lynette Condello were among the residents who attended the event.
Mrs Condello said the students helped give them hope for the future.
Mr Cassanego, putting on his nurseryman hat, said the students had done a wonderful job looking after the plants.
He then got to help plant two scrubs, at the park, as a way to record the occasion.
Kevin, from his point of view, was happy to see the first stage of this positive project completed.
He could not thank all those who helped with the 'Regrow' project enough.
Kevin, Frank and many other helpers then staged a native plant workshop on Saturday.
Other plant delivery days are planned for the end of the month.