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Cruz Otara Space Cadet to NASA

$2,080 of $5,000 goal

Given by 20 generous donors in 10 weeks

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Participating in Ōtara to the World - NASA Space Camp U.S.A

Otara, Auckland

Cruz Porter | 17 Years Old | Maori | Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae

'He kai kei aku ringa'

Ko Cruz Porter toku ingoa, nō Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Paoa, Tainui, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Tahu e mihi ana.

Attending Space Camp 2023 is kai for my whānau, hapu, iwi and hapori. I know that this experience will open all our minds to bigger possibilities out there and encourage us to focus and prepare for them. I want to follow in the steps of my grandfather and father who are engineers. Our whanau pathway is to start out in electrical and move into engineering. Our electrical work becomes our koha mahi and engineering pays the bills.

My grandfather was an aircraft engineer at AirNZ and i would like to see what space craft engineering involves and maybe add that to our whānau pathway. I have worked really hard to build my knowledge in the Sciences & Tech but most important is my strong cultural identity, Te Reo Rangatira me ōna Tikanga. Knowing who I am as Māori is my biggest strength and I am proud to represent my whānau and culture at NASA.

In my spare time I am training to become a lifeguard at Ōtara pools and you'll find us there most evenings doing our laps. This year I am Yr 13 and doing Science and Media Studies. I am extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity and can't wait to report back on the experience!

We are almost over the line!!! Wohoooo 26 June 2023

Posted by: The Community Builders NZ Trust

Firstly we want to say thank you to every single friend, whanau, donor, organisation and beyond who have supported these incredible cadets by giving to their give-a-little. We have had some sponsors directly donate and it it's not reflected in the give a little but we are actually nearing the end and are almost there! We have heard that the Otara-Papatoetoe local board is approving some of the cadets a small grant to assist toward airfares and once we know who they have approved we will then know if we have finally reached the goal and who they have funded out of the cadets. Keep posted!

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