Getting Weslee to the Tahiti Fai Va'a World Championship Sprints, July 2018

Hello everyone, I am trying to raise funds for my son Weslee Vainikolo to compete in the Fai Va’a World Championship Sprints in Tahiti during July 2018! Yes that is right! Wes’s Dad is the only one working but his pay is gone by the time it reaches home and my fundraising skills have not been able to achieve our goal for him, hence, me seeking help from “Give a little”. He was chosen to represent the Cook Islands country at the Worlds this year and has been approached to represent other countries, as well. He will be competing in the Elite J19s V1 singles and Elite J19s V6 team. Every little bit helps!

Despite fundraising and paying partial airfares, accommodation and food Weslee still needs a little bit more to finalise his flights, accommodation, food, pocket money and transport. Our family have turned to “Give a little” for help because you create miracles. We are looking for a little miracle to happen! Our miracle goal is $1800.00. This amount will finalise Weslee’s airfares from Auckland to Rarotonga, accommodation in Rarotonga and the rest of his accommodation, food, pocket money and transport in Tahiti, as well as race fees, waka usage, medical insurance and flights from Rarotonga to Auckland. Weslee will meet the rest of the Cook Islands representatives in Rarotonga as they fly in from the outer islands, for training time before heading to Tahiti.

We understand that these are hard times for everyone but we also believe that everyone deserves a chance in reaching their potential in something, whatever that may be, especially if they show credentials for being successful. Weslee has the credentials for being successful in the sport of Waka Ama (outrigger canoeing). He started the sport in August of 2017 and has not looked back. His dedication and commitment to the sport in the short period of time has resulted in coming 1st in his 500m heat, 2nd in the 250 and made it to the finals at the AROCA (Auckland Regionals) competition, 2017. These races give him a chance to challenge New Zealand’s best at the National Competition, Lake Karapiro each year. His V6 team has had success with various placings during different competitions in and around the North Island. He has developed friendships with paddlers from Manukau, Te Paerangi and Pakuranga, all sharing the Ian Shaw Park ramp for training and keeping competition fierce.

We understand disappoint too and feel for everyone that help, if Wes is not successful. However, we are not asking for the world, but we are asking you to dig deep, to give a little help. Weslee is not all Waka Ama, but he is a Year 13 average student at Aorere College with extraordinary skills in the sport of Waka Ama. He is completing his final year through the Gateway program at MIT for 2 days a week doing Electrical Engineering and the rest of the week developing his Maths and Physical Education skills. Weslee also Captains the Open Senior A grade basketball team for Aorere and does waka ama training for the Cook Islands Outriggers, in Mount Wellington. Juggling school has its challenges but none as daunting as trying to fundraise for equipment, fees and a waka.