Utah County couple aims to bring their passion for art to children in Tonga
SPANISH FORK, Utah (KUTV) — Art is a big part of Cassidy and Maikeli Lomu's lives.
The couple owns Wildflower Pottery and Ceramics in Spanish Fork.
They hope to bring their passion for art to Tonga, where Maikeli's family is from. After a trip there for a family reunion, the Lomus learned kids didn't really have many art supplies or classes.
"It's surprising how little they have," said Maikeli.
They decided to start the Maijo Tonga Project and raise money to bring at least 300 art kits to the country.
"It's not every often that you get to see the world through other people's eyes, but you can through art, and I think that's something really cool," said Cassidy.
With the funds they raise, they buy pastels, water colors, colored pencils, sketch books, and more to give school kids a chance to get creative. The kits will go to a school in the village where Maikeli's family members live.
"I really think that they're gonna make a lot of really cool things," said Maikeli.
Tonga is short on hygiene items, too. So the Lomus are also collecting needed items to put in 300 more kits.
"There's nail clippers, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste," explained Cassidy.
Tonga's borders were closed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, so the Lomus will have to wait to bring over all these supplies.
"It's definitely been hard," Maikeli said.
They will keep collecting donations until they are able to get into Tonga. Since starting the project, all of their employees at Wildflower Pottery and Ceramics have donated their tips to help raise money for the art supplies.
Mountain America Credit Union pitched in $500 to help out as well.
If you wanted to donate, you can visit the Maijo Tonga Project page on their website. You can also drop off hygiene items at the pottery studio.
