THE chance to do something special for people who had lost their homes in the Currowan bushfire crisis is something a group of school students quickly accepted.
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Recently the students came face to face with some of the people who will benefit from their efforts and it proved to be a special thing.
Convoy of Hope, a group that supports people in times of crisis, started the Conjola Regrow program earlier this year.
The program was about providing people who had lost everything in the bushfires with free plants to help rebuild their lives.
A special plant collection day took place recently in front of the Lake Conjola Community Hall where students from Ulladulla High and Milton Public mixed with the bushfire victims.
A similar plant presentation day had previously taken place at the devastated Conjola Park.
People who lost their homes in the fires but missed the free plant collection day can go to the Mullala Nursery, Ulladulla to get some plants.
The students, at the Lake Conjola event, were invited to talk about taking part in the Regrow program.
Holly Forbes from Ulladulla High was one of the speakers.
"The Students Environment Council of Ulladulla High School has been privileged to be involved in this project," Holly said.
"It has provided us with the opportunity to do something practical to contribute to healing and regeneration which has been valuable to us as students and we hope the community as well."
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Schools like Ulladulla High, Milton Public, Ulladulla Public, St Mary's Star of the Sea and Nowra Anglican College were all given seedlings by Convoy of Hope.
Students then cared and nurtured the plants.
"Students involved in this project have enjoyed caring for the plants," Holly said.
"It's widely known that spending time tending to plants and gardens has positive effects on people's physical and mental health."
Holly and her fellow students hope the plants grow and give people pleasure.
"While these hundreds of plants are young and small today, like the students who have looked after them, they will become established and strong, providing a lasting and comforting symbol of the support that exists for each other in our community," she said.
"The Milton Public students also loved taking part in the Regrow program.
Lyla said she was happy to help people in the community.
"When I was back at school and I heard about the Regrow Conjola project it gave me a lot of hope and joy, knowing that I was going to be helping the community," Lyla said.
April hopes the plants help people rebuild.
"After the heartbreaking fire we thought about how you would feel and so we decided to grow little plants for you and maybe that little plants may grow into the biggest tree," April said.
Willow hopes animals will also make use of the plants.
"Hopefully more and more animals start living amongst the natives we have helped grow. We hope these plants bring everyone joy," Willow said.
Jaya enjoyed looking after the plants.
"We planted many plants and watered them day after day. Slowly we watched the plants get bigger and better," Jaya said.
"Milton Public School came together to grow all these amazing plants and we showed that we can all come together to create amazing things."
All the students thanked Convoy of Hope for giving them the chance to take part in the Regrow program.
Two plants were planted near the hall to mark the event.
