Community Project Vanuatu
The tropical islands of Vanuatu are home to many isolated island communities, with over 150 distinct cultures and languages. Rick and Wendy began the Community Project in September 2004, when they were introduced to a group of beautiful people from Moto Lava, one of the far northern tropical islands of Vanuatu, in the South Pacific.
Isolated Communities
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Because of the huge distance from the capital, Port Vila, these isolated communities receive very little assistance from the Government. A supply ship may arrive from one to 6 months apart. A small plane from Air Vanuatu, services the area only once or twice a week, weather permitting. There is only one truck on the island, donated to the community by the Vanuatu government. |
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Often there are no parts available for the truck. When it's not working, supplies are carried to the village by the men. A 25K hike (one way). A cyclone can wipe all the villagers' hard work out and destroy what little resources the teachers manage to scrape together. |
Prime Minister Lini admitted to a lack of service delivery to the outer islands, as reported in the Daily Post in Sept 2007.
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Seachange Lodge has committed 10% of all profit to this community right from the beginning of its existence in 2004. Hand powered sharpening stone, nails, hammers, through to soap, tins of dried milk, milo, sewing machines and material have been sent, plus desperately needed school supplies and teachers' resources and first aid supplies. |
A young Peace Corp worker arrived recently on the island to man the first aid centre. There was nothing but a grass mat for patients to lie on, no towels to wipe hands, or clean wounds, not even the basic medical supplies like an Asprin. After an urgent phone call from Rick and Wendy, the Port Vila hospital helped send medical supplies on the next flight.
One exercise book is shared between several children and pencils cut into three. Blackboard paint and chalks has been some of the most sort after materials.
Community Project - Urgent Need
Rick says: “We are so appreciative of our guests, who bring in the desperately needed school supplies, for us to ship north. This includes a Lion’s Club from the Central Coast, New South Wales and other organizations. Now the urgent need is to help these villagers give their children a high school education, for they live in a no-cash economy. After all, education is the only thing that will help the next generation to become self-sufficient”
Education is not free, so the majority of the children remain uneducated. These horrific statistic have changed little since the survey in 1999. Many of the parents cannot read or write.
- 7.8% finish Secondary/vocational school
- Only 16.8% complete Junior secondary
- Only 55.8% of children get to complete year 6
- 18.3% never go to school at all
These are the overall figures for Vanuatu, so the number of children not having any access to education is much higher in the Outer Islands. Many of the parents cannot read or write.
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These children have dreams, like other children anywhere in the world. Many of them will never have the opportunity to leave their remote island home, or see the inside of a high-school classroom. While they appreciate their rich cultural heritage and traditions, this may not enough for them to take their place in the 21st century. They want to reach out to help their own community. While voted the Happiest Country on Earth, the children are hungry for education. |
YouMe Support Foundation provides non-repayable education grants. YouMe Support Foundation will assist successful students to go on to full financial independence, where possible, including sending them overseas to university. The students will be encouraged to return to use their new found knowledge back in their home village.
The first student entered the program in January 2009. Other students are anxiously waiting to hear from us to see if they can also receive an education grant.
How Can You Help the Community Project?
When you Sponsor a Student you put them through high school. All funds go directly into YouMe Support Foundation, under the direction of the Board of Directors (upstanding men and women from the local community) to provide education grants into perpetuity.
In partnership with YouMe Foundation, you can really make a difference.
This is not about money, it's about fulfilling dreams.
If you have any questions, please email us. We are only too happy to chat with you.
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