Campaigning against school bullying: a newspaper article about my working
Paula Vilmi knows what a shadow bullying casts on life, now she wants to participate in the fight against bullying
When I moved to a city school in the center of Kuhmo in the third grade, the bullying started, says artist Paula Vilmi, who lives part of the time in Kaavi.
– Things were stolen and broken, there were comments about my appearance. I went through puberty early, my body changed and I looked different from the others. Also my friend was bullied. I wanted to be strong and be able to protect her.
When the class was going to the swimming baths, Paula had been sick at home.
– The mental discomfort turned into a fever.
Eventually, the bullying stopped, but it left a shadow on Vilmi’s life – as an adult, she has suffered from anxiety, panic attacks and a lack of trust in people.
However, little Paula grew up to be a strong and energetic person who follows her own path – an art professional who now wants to do her part in the fight against bullying at school. In her KIUSATTU. campaign, Vilmi travels to schools and events to share her experiences of being bullied at school and to lead shadow workshops for young people.
Last week, Vilmi visited Juankoski Junior High School.
– Bullying is almost everywhere, here too. I contacted the Juankoski Parish Council, and they came on board as funders.
In the shadow workshop, students build shadow works related to the theme, which are then used to create a communal shadow installation for the school.
Shadow art is literally based on creating shadows – sometimes they are made with their own hands, but Vilmi has become familiar with shadow figures constructed in different ways. When this is placed in front of a light source, a shadow is created on the surface.
In addition to art, encounters with young people have generated important, meaningful discussions.
– There have been great young people, the reception has been really warm. I have heard feedback from young people that when school bullying has come to light here, the teachers have been very quick to intervene.
Vilmi also collects young people’s experiences of school bullying. She publishes them anonymously on the campaign’s Instagram account and as part of the Pahvimaamari exhibition she has held in Kemijärvi.
Vilmi urges those who are bullied to talk to someone about it – a friend, a parent, a teacher, anyone.
– There is always someone who can help. I couldn’t do it myself, so I understand also this situation.
What would she like to say to those who are suffering from bullying?
– Don’t give up, talk to someone and dare to seek help. You will get through everything – and from the bottom of my heart I can say – stronger than ever.”
Vilmi has always been a person who follows her own path – and has also heard about it in the adult world. She wants to spread the good news of diversity.
– Diversity is the best. If everyone were the same, it would be boring. Let’s find our own paths, where everyone is free to be who they want to be. There’s a really good person inside everyone – even bullies – sometimes we’re just on the wrong path.
Writer of the newspaper article Sanni Hakkarainen, Koillis-Savo
