The Benji Hartfield Creative Arts Programme has been established to support specialist art therapies run by the Rwenzori Special Needs Foundation (RSNF) in Uganda, in memory of Anglican Missions' Director Michael Hartfield's son, Benji Hartfield. The fund is inspired by Benji's talents as a photographer, painter, sculptor, installation artist, gardener and as a beloved Hartfield whānau member. 

After completing high school as Aotearoa New Zealand's highest-ranking year 13 student in photography, Benji Hartfield went on to tutor younger students in the arts. He was well known for his compassion and kindness towards others, including caring for people doing it tough. 

"This project will be working with disadvantaged people, which is what Benji did all of his life, so this will be very much in line with who he was." said Michael Hartfield today.

Anglican Missions and the RSNF will use the Benji Hartfield Creative Arts Programme to further the Foundation’s work providing healthcare and vocational training for disabled children and young people. 

As well as visual arts activities such as painting and ceramics, the new programme will use music and movement to help children with learning and communication impairments to connect and engage with others. RSNF reports that these kind of art experiences bring moments of joy, build confidence and create meaningful connections between the young people at RSNF, their caregivers and staff. 

The arts programme will take place in a new RSNF facility which is currently being built to house the Foundation's expanded community and its activities.

There will be no pressure for students to create finished pieces of art. Instead, each young person will be supported to explore colour, texture, sound and movement in a way that works for their expression and enjoyment. 

These regular creative sessions will now become part of life at the RSNF centre. 

To support the Benji Hartfield Creative Arts Programme, visit the Anglican Missions' Rwenzori Special Needs Foundation page.