Since the year 2000 tourism in Vanuatu has grown steadily as the world has come to know the “Happiest people on earth” (2006 Index).
The 83 tropical islands of the South Pacific archipelago stretch across some 700 kilometers from north to south. With over 153 distinct cultures and languages, traditional customs are strictly adhered to. These islands offer a glimpse of life from a different age.
In thousands of villages, life goes on as it has for generations. Food is supplied by the bountiful land, extended family structures are strong, and possessions are few.
These are people without telecommunication systems, without medical assistance, without electricity and running water, without education systems, without money.
These are the regions and peoples that make Vanuatu such a terrific ‘must see’ travel adventure destination of the South Pacific.
Port Vila does have its take-away shops: fish ’n chips, pizza, chicken and chips, but none of these are brand names. There is great local coffee to be had in the restaurants made by the hands of the Ni-Vanuatu. The moonlit cinema outside the cafe on the foreshore is in one of the most dramatic locations to be found. Life goes on at a different pace to the rest of the world.
There is no McDonald’s in town, but Port Vila is gaining global corporate names.
The question is: how much will the arrival of global corporate giants change this tropical island paradise?
The basic necessities of life should remain a priority need for these people. Foremost are improvements in education to better place these people in the 21st century.
For the children of Vanuatu there is no lack of the promise of romance, security and freedom. However the children miss out on a formal education. Education is not free and remains beyond the realm of those with meagre incomes of less than $1 per day.
The dire consequences of this are:
• only 55.8% of Vanuatu kids will get to grade 6
• 26% will never go to school at all
• of those only 18.2% will go to high school.
Rick and Wendy Tendys, founders of YouMe Support Foundation, are raffling Seachange Lodge (a private holiday home, plus 6 luxury holiday apartments) on the Internet, to raise funds for non-repayable high school education grants for the children of the outer islands of Vanuatu. This is a World First, Blue Moon Opportunity that will change someone’s life, as well as the lives of these children.
You can be part of this exciting project and make a real difference. You can visit these children. Vanuatu is only three hours flight from Sydney, Australia.
These children don’t have McDonald’s but they do have a great way of life. They just want a chance to take their rightful place in the 21st century.
