At just 12 years old, Iemina Terawasi (pictured) believes a confident and healthy mindset will lead you to having a successful life.
Her awareness around wellbeing has indeed led her to selection not only for a Toloa Secondary School Scholarship, but also as a member of the Advisory Board that will oversee wraparound support for scholars.
This is the first year the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ Toloa initiative has allocated funds for secondary school scholarships to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) subjects.
Scholarships cover school fees and equipment for one year to the maximum of $2000.
The Ministry has partnered with not-for-profit Pasifika-led mental health and wellbeing organisation Le Va to deliver its national youth wellbeing programme Niu Wave for scholars.
Le Va partners with communities and organisations to mobilise cultural, clinical and community solutions for transformational change.
It has a diverse portfolio of work, including mental health, addiction, disability, suicide prevention, violence prevention and public health.
Born and raised in Porirua, Iemina stems from the Kiribati islands of Kuria, Nonouti and Tarawa.
The Tawa College Year 9 student is one of six students on the Advisory Board, which supports Pacific youth on their scholarship journey.
Iemina says she applied for the Toloa scholarship because it is an opportunity to support and enhance her learning, especially in her favourite subjects Science, Mathematics and Digital Information Technology – all areas which she dreams of working in one day.
“I admire the roles of scientists and computer engineers and I hope with my hard work and dedication, it will lead me to achieve a career in one of these industries.”
Iemina helped co-design the programme for the current cohort of Toloa scholars, presenting her ideas and thoughts from a youth perspective on how to deal with mental wellbeing, such as motivating youth to speak up and to be heard.
“I believe a confident and healthy mindset will lead you to be successful in life," she adds.
“I hope the programmes and activities I helped design will benefit the scholars as a whole.”
Visit the MPP website for more information on the Toloa Fund, and other funding available.