Five individuals from Rarotonga and Atiu received scholarships from Punanga Turuturu Itivaine to study counselling and improve community mental health support.

The Punanga Turuturu Itivaine (PTI), the women’s counselling and support centre for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and abuse, are pleased to announce the successful recipients of the USP Diploma of Counselling scholarships.

This PTI initiative to help improve mental health awareness and its services, and support in the community, is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project “Akamatutu’anga To Tatou Ora’anga Meitaki (ATOM) – Building a healthy and resilient Cook Islands Community – one block at a time”. The aim of this project is to enhance the capacity of the health system and the resilience of health services in the Cook Islands.

PTI’s project manager Sharon Kareroa said they received 18 applications.

“We have known for some time that we don’t have enough counsellors on the island so we were lucky enough to receive funding from MFEM through the ATOM project and put aside some money to fill in these gaps,” said Kareroa.

The executive board members sifted through the applications and selected the final five.

Police constable Vaai Basinet, David Pori, Selane Tairea and Iti Pou Ana Nooana-Takaiti from Rarotonga, and Brittany Papera from Atiu, were selected from 18 applicants.

They all want to give back to the community and help others navigate their way through life as well as make a commitment to their personal and professional growth.

Born and raised in Rarotonga, Pori, 40, has spent the past 25 years in Sydney, Australia.

He returned home last May. His mother Maki Joseph hails from Aitutaki and Titikaveka, and his father is from Ngati Uritaua and Ngati Makea.

“My last four years in Sydney, I was doing holistic healing, spiritual healing a gift, intuition passed down to me from my ancestors,” said Pori.

He explained that ancestral knowledge is gained over time and that spiritual healing is the process of connecting oneself to everything around them.

“I was ready to come home to help my people after being away for so long, I felt it was time for me to dedicate and commit myself to my nation, my people, this is why I came home,” Pori said.

“Applying for this scholarship enhances the skills that I already have as a holistic healer but it also gives me accreditation, and with a background of counselling, I can bring the two together and help heal people.”

Pori is employed at the Office of the Prime Minister as a policy analyst.

Iti Pou Ana Nooana-Takaiti is a Punanga Turuturu Itivaine USP Diploma of Counselling recipient. SUPPLIED/25031012

Selane Tairea, 25, from Te Puna Vai Mārama, the Cook Islands Centre for Research at USP, has always been motivated to give back to the people of the Cook Islands.

“In everything I do, I want it to benefit our people here,” said Tairea.

With an education background in psychology, she said: “In order to be able to deal with people, you actually need more qualifications to be able to counsel people, to treat people, so a bachelor’s degree is not enough.”

Tairea said the scholarship is a good opportunity to further her skills and become qualified to talk to and help counsel people.

Having been in the police force for over five years, police constable Basinet has always had an interest in studying counselling, which will be a valuable addition to her career.

“I’ve always been the go to person for my family and friends, and I thought, well through all my life experiences I’d also like to help the community and my friends and family,” said Basinet.

“I love my job and I think this will benefit me as well.”

Iti Pou Ana Nooana-Takaiti is with the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI), and Atiu’s Brittany Papera is the secretary of the Punakau Tama Toa Association, a small community group based in Areora.

Brittany Papera of Atiu is a Punanga Turuturu Itivaine USP Diploma of Counselling recipients. SUPPLIED/25031013

PTI president Eileen Story said that in their final selection, the board prioritised those living in the Cook Islands.

“We also received applications from PTI board members as well as members, however we made the decision to give the opportunity to Cook Islanders in the community instead.”

She was pleased to note that the scholarship also offers a great opportunity to the successful applicant in Atiu.

“It’s also important to note that although PTI is an all-women’s and children’s support centre, having a male counsellor as part of our team enhances the diversity of our services, ensuring broader support for the community,” said Story.

Meanwhile, the PTI free helpline 0800 HELP (4357) is up and running, anyone in need can call or text the number.