Grassroots Comics in Tonga and Fiji

Originally published on Oct 2, 2010

Proud pupils display their comics in Lautoka, Fiji. Photo Tiina Jaatinen/Heidi Karvonen

Two Finnish students, Tiina Jaatinen and Heidi Karvonen, travelled in the Pacific Islands in the summer of 2010. They were involved in the Globalisation Comics -project that was run in Finnish schools in 2009-2010 by Nuorten Akatemia (Youth Academy). Therefore, they were familiar with the grassroots comics concept.

In Fiji they ran a short workshop with 40 participants in Natabua High School in Lautoka. The theme of the comics was global warming as the school happened to have an Environment week.

The Bahai youth group in Tonga. Photo: Tiina Jaatinen/Heidi Karvonen

In Tonga, they ran a workshop with a Bahai junior youth group. The comics were about how young people can do service to the community: e.g. by planting trees, by promoting litter-free environment, and by arranging activities for children and youth.