Help Siraya get to Oxford — accepted to the John Locke Institute at 13

Siraya is 13. She's just been accepted into the John Locke Institute's Introduction to Ethics, Political Economy and Public Policy Summer School at Oxford this August — through a competitive international application and interview process. The programme typically receives six applications per place.

In her own words, from her application:

"I want to keep the sparkle in my eyes. I never want to lose it. I do not want to become bland wallpaper blending into a sterile office… The chance to learn, surrounded by other passionate people? That's the kind of thing I go to bed dreaming about."

Her referee — a professor who has known her for over a decade — put it this way:

"She heard of John Locke, became self-initiated in his ideas, started reading his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, and from there researched the Institute herself... She is not a pet project of her parents... Non-conformist, fiercely articulate, driven, self-propelling."

The course costs USD $5,500 (~NZD $9,300) plus flights and incidentals. Total: NZD $10,000. Siraya has already put in NZD $2,000 from her own savings. The deposit is due 5 May, balance by 16 June.

Burnside High staff are helping. The Wigram Lions Club has been approached. Every bit helps get her on the plane.

From Siraya:

"Going to the John Locke Summer School would be like 'heaven to touch.' I want to go there 'so much.' It's almost 'too good to be true,' but 'I can't take my eyes off of' going."

(Can't Take My Eyes Off You — Frankie Valli, 1967)