Ana Sjardin-Killick (Dargaville, Aotearoa New Zealand) – combined scholarship

May 2021 Haratua

Ana is 40 years old and has recently moved Northland to Dargaville from Tauranga. For her, it is an absolute privilege getting to work with the youth and being in a place to support them. Her area of interest is spoken word (sort of a mix between rap and poetry) and it’s her desire to encourage other people through this medium.

Ana’s background is in English and foreign languages, and is also a teacher. But Ana has not been able to work much due to an illness she has had since she was 17. Much of her time at Vaughan Park will be dedicated to completing her book ‘Giants’. Ana states; “one thing is for sure; God creates diamonds in the dark. And this book is, I hope, will be a diamond of sorts”.