Point Cook P-9 College students gave asylum seekers in the west a helping hand as part of Harmony Day activities last week.
Students collected donations of non- perishable food and toiletries for the West Welcome Wagon, which supports asylum seeker families in the west by helping them with everything from furniture and whitegoods to toys and food hampers.
Teacher Rebecca Thornton said students also ran Instagram photo booths using the Harmony Day hashtag, made orange harmony bracelets and created a video on which they said “hello” in their family’s language.
Harmony Day is observed annually on March 21 as a celebration of Australia’s cultural diversity.
Ms Thornton said more than 40 nationalities were represented at the college, with 30 per cent of students speaking a language other than English at home.
West Welcome Wagon food donations co-ordinator Sloane Karlson said the organisation was grateful for the donation.
Ms Karlson said the West Welcome Wagon had 500 families on its books and received up to 25 referrals for help each month.
“Things like this keep us going,” Ms Karlson said.
“Asylum seekers are different from refugees in that they get very limited funding.”
To donate, go to www.westwelcomewagon.org.au
