Kia ora. I'm Lei, and my partner Hare and I migrated to Clermont Qld Australia from Auckland New Zealand in 2012 to try and make a better life for our kids and ourselves. We are from Takou Bay, Bay of Islands, and we miss the beach.. and the kaimoana.. and the whanau... Anyway! It didn't take long for things to start happening..
My 13 year old daughter, Miriama Jane Devantier, has just been offered a half scholorship to The Ballet Theatre Australia in Melbourne. Woop Woop!
Now here's the thing; the audition dvd was seeking placement for Miri for next year, but the school replied straight away and wants her to attend terms 3 and 4 this year, so she starts 28th July... Eek! I guess when I was asking the Big Fella upstairs for some help, I should have put a date on it! I know He's still laughing at me...
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Miri, so rather than deny her this chance, I'm humbly requesting that anyone who would like to help out make a donation to help us with Miri's expenses. I know that this is our sole responsibility, however my culture reminds me that 'it takes a village to raise a child', so I am asking the village to pitch in and help if they wish to. Shall we find out if the village is global?
The asistance from TKSA (The Koha Shed Australia) and Tautoko Melbourne regarding accommodation in Melbourne is greatly appreciated, I'll keep everyone updated as it happens...
Miriama started learning ballet at Dance West, Henderson, Auckland at 7 1/2 years old in 2008, and finished there in Nov 2011. The teacher at Dance West is incredibly talented, and taught Miri a solid foundation and strong technique that is obvious the moment she starts to dance. Thank you Yasmin-Li Gray.
Miri resumed lessons this February in Emerald at DancEdge Emerald Dance Centre, and that's when things started heating up. Three classes a week (it's an hour each way between Clermont and Emerald), the teacher put her straight on pointe, pushed her hard to bring her up to speed, and Miri passed her Gold Bar exam at the end of term 1. Several weeks later the teacher made an audition dvd and sent it off... Thank you Collette Hooper; you saw my girl and what she could be, and took hold of her. You planted the seed of a dream... and then nurtured it, hothouse styles!
Miriama is a natural athlete. At her school sports carnival last week she won first place in 8 events, and was awarded top athlete for her age group. Without any training or practice. For example, she had never picked up a javelin before the day, and took first place.
If you transfer that natural ability to ballet, where she has had training, and does practise daily, then you may start to get an idea of where this girl is at....
Miri is the sixth of nine children, (five boys then four girls,) and she's the eldest girl. We still have five children at home (one is our moko), and the youngest is three. Now, y'all know how it is just trying to keep a big family fed and clothed right? I don't want my daughter to miss out on this fantastic opportunity, but the reality is that once I've fed and clothed them, there's not much left to spread around! It takes time and planning for the big things, and I don't have the luxury of that time anymore.
What's the 5k for? Term 3. Which is approximately 10 weeks.
$600 for the rest of the fees. (A $300 deposit has already been paid).
$1,100 for flights.
$800 for dance gear and school stuff,
$800 living expenses ie travel fares, phone credit and personal expenses.
$2,000 for accommodation, which is conservative according to my research! Because the accommodation hasn't been finalised yet, I'm not sure what the true cost will be yet.
Please help me to help my daughter reach her full potential. Every donation is deeply appreciated, both large and small. Please make a donation, then like and share this page. And if you don't have any coin to spare (sure know that feeling!), then please like and share this page anyway, cos you, your friends and their friends... are the village. Kia ora.