Vanuatu project profile

Tafea CDP

Education
Seventy five per cent of Tanna’s population is illiterate. Most children do not attend school past primary level and up to 25 per cent of children do not receive any schooling.

Some chiefs refuse to allow preschools to be built in their villages because they reject education as being another of the ‘white man’s’ ways. However, Vanuatu’s government intends to introduce a policy that will make preschool education compulsory.

World Vision works with the Vanuatu Preschool Association to improve the quality of preschool education. Together they build preschools, provide educational materials, train preschool teachers and raise awareness of the importance of preschool education. Preschool committees are trained so the community can run the preschools in the long term.

World Vision supports out-of-school teenagers in vocational training. Literacy classes are provided through a separate World Vision project.

Health
Local first aid posts are under community management, however the posts lack resources and skilled workers.

World Vision supplies furniture, medicine storage facilities and solar panels to upgrade the posts. It trains and supports village health committees so they can better manage their health services. They will receive a nationally recognised certificate on completion of their training. The project also provides training for clinic nurses and first aid officers

A health awareness programme, to encourage community action on issues such as nutrition, hygiene and disease prevention and control, complements the support to medical services.

Water
A landslide in 2002 damaged water supplies in two communities. In several other communities the demand for clean drinking water has outgrown supply because of population growth or migration.

World Vision repairs and extends water supply systems and trains water committees to maintain water supply equipment.

Leadership development
Community decisions are usually made by a small group of men, while women are generally excluded from participating even in decisions that have a significant impact on their lives.

World Vision forms, trains and supports village development committees to plan, implement and evaluate community projects. All committee members learn basic bookkeeping to improve accountability. With World Vision’s support, committee members undertake a certificate in community development offered by the Institute of Public Administration.

Women who have completed literacy classes join a women’s development programme to learn about and participate in community development activities. Through this they also learn about health, nutrition, rights, small business skills and income generating activities, such as weaving and sewing.

Sustainable development
Thank you for your partnership with the communities of Tanna through Pacific Partners and the Tafea Community Development Programme. The people are excited about the opportunity to work for change in their communities and provide a better future for their children. We will keep you updated about their progress.