From a very young age, Danika Thompson’s (pictured) mother Rhonda Thompson has instilled a drive for higher education in her, so she could break the generational poverty cycle she is part of.
It was her mother, who motivated 19-year-old Danika to apply for a 2022 Toloa Tertiary Scholarship, which the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) recently awarded her.
Danika was part of the 50 tertiary students to receive a scholarship which supports Pacific students to pursue STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) subjects.
The Toloa Tertiary Scholarships cover tertiary tuition fees and compulsory course related fees up to $10,000 for one year of fulltime study for STEAM-related courses and subjects.
“I am currently doing a conjoint of Arts and Science majoring in Psychology and a double major of Physiology and Biochemistry at the University of Auckland,” Danika Says.
“I am taking this study path to hopefully become a Forensic Scientist and branch into Forensic Psychology working with young Pacific and Māori peoples in prison and those struggling with their mental health as it is a recurring factor in our community.
“My end goal is to open my own clinic which has physicians for varying backgrounds that would understand and cater to the needs of the patients we see, and I would also like to provide an affordable option for all.”
Driving Danika to succeed is seeing her mother struggle financially in the past yet maintaining her self-worth and determination to push past obstacles standing in her way.
“My mother has taught me to achieve success for me and my family, but also to be a role model to Pasifika and Māori, to show them we are more than what society has dictated us to be.”
As a Pacific student in STEAM, Danika says she hopes to see many more students follow suit because they are enthusiastic about the fields, and not due to any outdated thinking there are only careers in Medicine or Law for Pasifika.
“Go into it because you have found your calling and your passion for your work makes you happy to go through the challenges that may come with the job.”
Visit the MPP website for more information on the Toloa Fund.