On Monday 7th November, Pasifika O Wairarapa Trust announced the recipients of six $8000 scholarships. These were awarded to a student of Pasifika descent from each of the local secondary schools. The scholarships were set up by the Trust to support students to continue their education either through tertiary study or on a trade programme.
Pasifika O Wairarapa Trust General Manager Luther Toloa says the scholarship fund was established after the Trust’s Board noted the disproportionate number of Pasifika students dropping out of their first and second year of tertiary studies.
“While Covid was the instigator, it was also about the inability of students’ families to provide ongoing financial support. Students were not able to supplement their family financial support with part-time work, during the lockdowns and this simply amplified their struggle,” says Luther.
Recipients, Ashriya Prasad, Nathan Raj, Feresia Manesa Anae, Charlie Sherry, Angela Dulnuan and Maia Cullen, gather with their whanau, the Trusts Board, Masterton’s Deputy Mayor, Bex Johnson, and Carterton’s Mayor, Ron Mark, to celebrate their success. Each student submitted their application in writing and was then interviewed by a panel of teachers and a principal representing the local colleges.
The panel was very impressed with the calibre of applications and how the students outlined their achievements to date, their future aspirations and what they think they can achieve with the support of a scholarship.
James Beer, chairperson of the Trust, noted “It was awesome to hear what they (the recipients) are planning for their future and to know that the scholarships will benefit not only them but also the wider community when they complete their studies and move into the workforce. We wish them well for the future – it’s a very exciting time for them”
The true impact of Covid in the context of students’ ongoing studies is not known, but the Pasifika o Wairarapa Trust isn’t going to wait and see. Education is one of our key threads, so it was important to get these scholarships started this year.
