This year Kaua`i High and Intermediate School hosted the Memory Tree Project in conjunction with Forget Me Not, the Kaua`i Hospice program for grieving children and teens. This is a pilot project sponsored by Junior Hospice, a group of student
This year Kaua`i High and Intermediate School hosted the Memory Tree Project in
conjunction with Forget Me Not, the Kaua`i Hospice program for grieving
children and teens. This is a pilot project sponsored by Junior Hospice, a
group of student volunteers at Kaua`i High that are committed to supporting
their peers who have experienced the death of a loved one.
“The
concept of the Memory Tree is very simple,” says Janet Mayfield, Forget Me
Not Program Coordinator. “Blank ornaments are available for students and
staff to write the names of loved ones who have died and a remembrance. Our
focus with this project is not to make the kids sad at Christmastime, but to
help them remember, with love, the people they are missing this holiday
season.” Participation in the project is completely voluntary and free of
charge.
The project originated in Oklahoma, where over 20 schools now have
Memory Trees every year. The goal of the Memory Tree project is to help
normalize the grief experience and promote healing by allowing students to
acknowledge their memories in a non-threatening manner. Research shows that
sharing grief, rather than hiding it, is healthy and healing. A description of
the project, along with suggestions on how to help children and teens who might
be grieving, was distributed to faculty and staff by Kaua`i Hospice.
The
Memory Tree was available in the school library from Nov. 29 until Dec. 16.
For more information on the Memory Tree project or the Forget Me Not program
call 245-7277 or 639-1992.
