Born this way- Awa's story
Awa has big challenges to face, but with her strength and courage, she rises above to inspire others. She needs a hand.
Wellington
Te Awarangi 'Awa' is just like any other teenage girl. She loves makeup, clothes and socialising. She has a supportive whanau and friends and is loved by many. Te Awarangi was born a boy, but Awa has always been a girl, ever since she has had conscious thoughts, confused as to why she was given the wrong body. Life is more challenging than the average teenage girl.
She has been an openly transgender teen since coming to school in a girl’s uniform at 15, but has That, in itself is an act of courage, but Awa is so much more than that. She is also a filmmaker, artist, actor and has won a host of awards for her talents. She openly appeared on the Award winning documentary ‘Born this way-Awa’s story’ created by the brilliant ‘Ruckus’ production Company team. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/sunday/clips/born-this-way-awa-s-story. This award winning documentary has just won a host of awards at the TVNZ awards. http://www2.nzherald.co.nz/kapiti-news/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503789&objectid=11953617.
This is an honest and moving portrayal of her journey as she transitions from male to female. She has reached thousands of viewers on her YOUTUBE by posting videos about her experiences as she transitioned and according to ‘ Doctor Elizabeth kerekere’ ‘saved lives’ with this documentary.
Awa reveals the truth about the importance of family acceptance and the medical and social implications of her journey. The rigorous procedure of proving it is NOT a mental health issue in order to get hormone treatment and that is just the beginning. The facts are frightening and often overwhelming for transgender people in New Zealand. The suicide rate is high and the waiting list for an operation is over thirty five years unless privately funded. Awa wants to be an advocate for her cause. She shows us candidly the truth behind the implications of being LGBTQI+ and her journey to acceptance and becoming her authentic self, both inside and out. Awa helps us understand the very human and very personal side of this very journey and raise awareness, acceptance and understanding for others. If you want to help fund Awa to become her authentic self. Please donate here!
Caroline Beaufort-Puna's involvement (page creator)
I am Awa's mother. I have seen her struggle with her transgender journey her whole life. I know life is not going to be easy for her but support her fully in her journey to become her authentic self. In New Zealand there is a 35 year waiting list to have corrective surgery, there are no surgeons at this present time in this country to perform this operation. For a young person born in the wrong body, this is a frightening prospect. The only option is to privately fund the operation overseas. This is an overwhelming commitment as a parent and family, but we will do whatever it takes to support our daughter become who she's meant to be.
Use of funds
The use of funds will be spent on continuing Awa's treatment to transition successfully, with the best health care possible, which isn't available in this country. If we reach our target Awa will go overseas for treatment and continue to help others.
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