ARTIST BRIGHTENS ORPHAN’S LIVES
He trades service for paints to design Children’s Home.
Josaia Mateiwai has not only glamorised the rooms of Treasure House Christian Children’s Home in Nadi, but also revitalised children with his drawing.
Originally from Vatulele in Nadroga, the 30-year-old is a professional artist based in Nadi. He also established a Veivueti Foundation Page on social media, which aims to reach out to families adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
I was so blessed to see the reaction on the face of these children. All I can say was that it was overwhelming. Josaia Mateiwai Artist
Mr Mateiwai said he was encouraged to reach out to the Children’s Home after he came across a post on social media. “When the pandemic first reached our shores, travel bans and restrictions were put in place and our borders were closed, I had come across a post on Facebook about the help that Treasure Homes was reaching out for in regard to groceries,”
he said.
“I started the Veivueti Foundation and through that we were able to do a food drive for the home.”
He extended his service at the home with a project to paint and design all the rooms.
“When the home was renovated this year, the director saw it as an opportunity for the art on the walls to be done as well,” he said.
Paint drive
He said he decided to do a paint drive on the Barter for Better Fiji Facebook page. He said he received a positive amount of responses from the public.
“I had put up my services as an artist to the home for barter in exchange for paint,” Mr Mateiwai said.
“So these paint donations were from patrons, who continuously donated and sponsored the home and good Samaritans who saw the post and made arrangements to pay for the painting.”
He also got help from church youths, who were able to design rooms for the home.
Mr Mateiwai said after the completion of the painting and designs in the rooms, he saw an overwhelming expression on the faces of children.
“The art that was going to go on the wall was actually different, but as I walked into the room and got a feel of the room, the plan for how the room was going to look, changed.
“I was so blessed to see the reaction on the face of these children. All I can say was that it was overwhelming,” he added.