Scholar

I was ten years old and for some reason we were staying in Hamilton. Lu, as she did took me out for the day with her.
She met two friends at Uni and they were working on an assignment on biculturalism. There wasn’t much for me to do while they were in the computer lab -I’m sure I fell asleep- however at some point I was reading over her shoulder while she typed. She seemed surprised. She asked me to read it aloud. I did. It was my first experience of uni and she said, after I read it that she was impressed with my reading and understanding of her writing. I probably only read a paragraph or two but Lu told me I could be at uni like her and that she expected me to go to Waikato to study.

Because of her belief in me and the expectations of our parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents Education was always part of my plan. In 2004 as a 24 yo single Mum I graduated with my undergraduate degree from Victoria University.

I see this faith in education amongst my cousins and the blessings it brings to their families.

Thank you Lu for telling me what I could be and planting that seed.