Tafea, Vanuatu

“When we got to Vanuatu’s Liwiniou village, everyone came out to give us a very festive, traditional, welcome.

“Following the ceremony, our group was part of the official opening ceremony of a new preschool funded through Pacific Partners.

“The preschool children performed a special song as part of the opening ceremony.

“Everyone packed inside the preschool for the formalities. Some even had to peer in through the windows to catch a glimpse of the action.

“The new resources, provided by World Vision, will help the children from this village to get a great start to their education.

“It was an exciting occasion for everyone in the village and in the wider community. The ceremony was recorded by George, a DJ from the island’s radio station, to be broadcast later that day.

“The people of Liwiniou village also very proudly showed us their recently completed water storage tank, also funded through Pacific Partners.

“What stood out for me was the strong relationship between World Vision staff and local community leaders and chiefs. This is part of what makes World Vision’s work on Tanna Island so effective. World Vision also has strong relationships with a the Tafea Council and works closely with them to help establish development priorities on the island.

“The welcome we received was absolutely overwhelming. I was very aware that the generosity, warmth, gratitude and thanks we were receiving (especially during the preschool ceremony) were on behalf of many faithful New Zealanders who have financially contributed to the project through Pacific Partners.”