05/09/2023
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Lola Fisher's creativity is shared on Guyton Group Trust Poetry Trail
The Guyton Group Trust is beginning its Poetry Trail by placing the two winning haiku, from the 2021 National Poetry Day competition, on the outside walls of Paige’s Book Gallery. The haiku winners were Lola Fisher from Whanganui and Lorraine Brasch from the Waikato.
(A haiku is a Japanese poetic form that consists of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third)
Lesley from Paiges says, “The two haiku will be an example of what will follow suit (not all poems will be haiku though). Having examples will make it easier to understand the concept of a poetry trail and illustrate the benefit to the community of having people out and about walking the length of Guyton Street reading poetry.
“It will become a holistically healthy activity, and will no doubt fit in well with the play trail being organised by Council.”
Lola Fisher
When Lesley from Paiges me to take a picture of Lola next to her haiku, she described her as being “home Schooled” and also “working on her media company which is called something like Create Happy Media.”
I wondered how was this possible and perhaps Lesley had made a mistake – but, no. Lola at 15 is home schooled and yes, she along with some others started Create Happy Media in 2022. All of the founders were under 15.
Their web site explains it as follows:
“Create Happy Media is our youth-run (ages 10-24) digital media outlet that is revolutionising the media landscape in Aotearoa through compassionate journalism. We provide a platform for young voices to be heard through diverse perspectives by publishing a quarterly ninety-page digital magazine.
“Our team curates engaging content, including articles, interviews, and features, addressing social issues, promoting positivity, and inspiring change.
“We teach the principles of Non-Violent Communication, and our kaupapa is based on teaching a new generation of journalists to unite people through their words rather than divide.”
Lola says, “We have received 8000 views and growing. We started with seven contributors which has now grown to 13, with the youngest only 9 and the oldest 20. We have created a charitable trust and have an adult creative mentor.”
They held a ‘Compassionate Journalism’ workshop over a weekend in March, which attracted 80 online participants. They are applying for funding to enable them to print copies of their magazine.
Lola’s home schooling is different from most. Instead of following the New Zealand curriculum, she is allowed to follow up interests and learn from life. This includes Create Happy Media, helping her father with his business, being a Council Youth Committee member and being involved in the Save the Children NZ.
She adds, “What I am doing is recognized as a basis for entry to university, if I decide to go that way.”
A self-motivated and mature young person with a relevant message.
Lola next to her haiku on the wall of Paiges Book Gallery
