Tonight we are on the way to the airport to pick up Major Paul Westlake from the United Kingdom. This is a significant moment in the Vanuatu response, as I now move from Team Leader into handover mode. I have until Monday lunch time to bring Paul up to speed on 10 projects across five islands and try and help him into the role as best as possible.
This afternoon was also significant. It's not often that there is a ceremonial handover of items and demonstration of appreciation. But today it happened in a nice way.
The principal of Vila North School, Elina, had invited us to a small ceremony to hand over the items that have procured - sports equipment, tarpaulins for the teacher's homes, building materials to fix their toilets and roofs and curriculum materials for the teachers.
We arrived to find that there was a stage with appreciation certificates, the local TV crew and newspaper, and front row seats for Craig and I, along with Samaritan's Purse and UNICEF who were also thanked for their support. There were speeches from the principal and school council president, speeches from the NGOs (I think we each spoke for 30 seconds max), prayers from the school teachers and parents and then some food. Quite a memorable occasion to share in.
Elina felt that she needed to hold this appreciation ceremony before they could start to use the materials. The actual reconstruction works that we are supporting now start in earnest and it is hoped that by the end of next week we (well, Paul and the new team) will be able to handover both of the repaired toilet blocks to the students and staff of the school.
Wednesday 27 May 2015
Saturday 23 May 2015
Vanuatu 24
A few little victories this week...
The 50,000L Bladder donated to the people of Vanuatu through The Salvation Army by Snowy Hydro was finally installed yesterday and filled with water today. It is situated behind a major marketplace on Tanna assisting people who come to the market and also the students and staff of the Presbyterian School next door.
The materials we need to fix the kindergarten in Erakor have been identified and a builder found.
The first 45 people to receive the brand new houses on Tanna have been identified and the team have been conducted 'build back safer' training with others.
Our warehouse in Vila now has a frame on the slab and should be finished within a week or so.
We have seen the freezers and fishing boats that we have provided in use.
We had a corps in Sydney volunteer to support the construction of a new Salvation Army shelter on Tanna - soon to be the third Salvation Army congregation in the country. This is not something that IES can normally do, as church structures (unless they are community halls or used as evacuation centres) fall outside the humanitarian role we play, so it's good to have another supporter.
And a few set backs....
In my last post I mentioned our vehicle. Turns out it can't be registered because it's unroadworthy. In the meantime we've rented a car from "Hertz" to get by. (Mind you, I'm enjoying the suspension, air conditioning, working mirrors and windows and padding on the front seat!).
Also, some of the projects that we are proposing for the next team are being held up by technical issues, e.g. how much wattage and how many devices are drawing down on our solar panels at the health centre in Green Hill, and how will this affect size, cost and shipping of the solar system.
And, because there hasn't been clarity around some of our funding, (and because the focus has shifted to other places), we've had to put a hold on new works. This is really frustrating. There's an island called Maewo that is small and remote to the north. It is out of the normal operating area of a lot of the NGOs. They need a range of assistance, but only in small quantities - e.g. four homes need help to repair, 30 families need some seeds to replant, there's one outreach health centre that needs new water tanks and guttering. Because it is a small but diverse project, it's perfectly suited to our team. We can't volunteer for the job, however, because of a lack of clarity around how much money we've got left! Please pray that IHQ and our team can work this out in coming days.
All that said, it's been an interesting week, as usual, and one where I continue to learn and reflect even on my own attitudes to things. Today, for example, I had a few hours spare and I figured it was my last chance to go and find some gifts for the family. When I got downtown, I noticed that the place was overrun with people from the cruise ship in the bay. All at once I felt elated for the local shop keepers that get income, and really annoyed that because the ship was in the prices of everything would double (or triple) for the day (a bit selfish really).
Time is winding down. I'll be back in Perth in just over a week, and while I'm looking forward to a rest, I know that's not going to happen in week two of the Red Shield Appeal. We'll see how we go.
The 50,000L Bladder donated to the people of Vanuatu through The Salvation Army by Snowy Hydro was finally installed yesterday and filled with water today. It is situated behind a major marketplace on Tanna assisting people who come to the market and also the students and staff of the Presbyterian School next door.
The materials we need to fix the kindergarten in Erakor have been identified and a builder found.
The first 45 people to receive the brand new houses on Tanna have been identified and the team have been conducted 'build back safer' training with others.
Our warehouse in Vila now has a frame on the slab and should be finished within a week or so.
We have seen the freezers and fishing boats that we have provided in use.
We had a corps in Sydney volunteer to support the construction of a new Salvation Army shelter on Tanna - soon to be the third Salvation Army congregation in the country. This is not something that IES can normally do, as church structures (unless they are community halls or used as evacuation centres) fall outside the humanitarian role we play, so it's good to have another supporter.
And a few set backs....
In my last post I mentioned our vehicle. Turns out it can't be registered because it's unroadworthy. In the meantime we've rented a car from "Hertz" to get by. (Mind you, I'm enjoying the suspension, air conditioning, working mirrors and windows and padding on the front seat!).
Also, some of the projects that we are proposing for the next team are being held up by technical issues, e.g. how much wattage and how many devices are drawing down on our solar panels at the health centre in Green Hill, and how will this affect size, cost and shipping of the solar system.
And, because there hasn't been clarity around some of our funding, (and because the focus has shifted to other places), we've had to put a hold on new works. This is really frustrating. There's an island called Maewo that is small and remote to the north. It is out of the normal operating area of a lot of the NGOs. They need a range of assistance, but only in small quantities - e.g. four homes need help to repair, 30 families need some seeds to replant, there's one outreach health centre that needs new water tanks and guttering. Because it is a small but diverse project, it's perfectly suited to our team. We can't volunteer for the job, however, because of a lack of clarity around how much money we've got left! Please pray that IHQ and our team can work this out in coming days.
All that said, it's been an interesting week, as usual, and one where I continue to learn and reflect even on my own attitudes to things. Today, for example, I had a few hours spare and I figured it was my last chance to go and find some gifts for the family. When I got downtown, I noticed that the place was overrun with people from the cruise ship in the bay. All at once I felt elated for the local shop keepers that get income, and really annoyed that because the ship was in the prices of everything would double (or triple) for the day (a bit selfish really).
Time is winding down. I'll be back in Perth in just over a week, and while I'm looking forward to a rest, I know that's not going to happen in week two of the Red Shield Appeal. We'll see how we go.
Tuesday 19 May 2015
Vanuatu 23
One of the most successful schemes that we have created here has been a hardware store voucher for people in the Tagabe area. This allowed them to purchase up to 30000 Vatu of goods (around $354 AUD/ $300 USD) for roofing, tools, household items - whatever they needed.
For some it was simply to help repair their roofs that were lifted by the cyclone. However, as this area is on a river bed, and experienced storm surge that flooded many homes, it also helped people to replace items that literally washed away.
Of the 154 families that received a voucher, 153 redeemed it for goods. We understand that the other family has been away from home because of a family death in another part of the country. All of the items purchased were within the expectations of housing items, repair tools and household repairs. A monitoring survey of the street showed the various ways in which people were now getting on with self-repair and also helping each other. One or two families that brought chainsaws with their voucher are helping to clear their neighbours yards of the remaining trees that the cyclone toppled.
We closed of this program yesterday and are preparing an appreciation certificate for the hardware store that supported us. While they obviously did very well out of the program, they were also very supportive and patient with the idea that we were going to be sending 154 separate people seeking out approx. $54,000 AUD of items, on our account!
Today the team have split up again. Three of the guys are on Tanna, preparing to run community meetings and identify the first beneficiaries of our permanent shelter reconstructions. They will also be monitoring the use of the fishing gear that we have deployed to the island and checking in with a medical centre that we hope to assist to reopen.
The rest of us here on Efate will be picking up some new sports gear for two of the schools we are working with, and looking into a new vehicle for the team. The one we currently have is owned by a lady who won't sign our cash vouchers, won't provide current registration for the car, and worst of all won't show up with the car when we actually need it, say to take people to the airport. Hoping we can work this out and get on with our work.
For some it was simply to help repair their roofs that were lifted by the cyclone. However, as this area is on a river bed, and experienced storm surge that flooded many homes, it also helped people to replace items that literally washed away.
Of the 154 families that received a voucher, 153 redeemed it for goods. We understand that the other family has been away from home because of a family death in another part of the country. All of the items purchased were within the expectations of housing items, repair tools and household repairs. A monitoring survey of the street showed the various ways in which people were now getting on with self-repair and also helping each other. One or two families that brought chainsaws with their voucher are helping to clear their neighbours yards of the remaining trees that the cyclone toppled.
We closed of this program yesterday and are preparing an appreciation certificate for the hardware store that supported us. While they obviously did very well out of the program, they were also very supportive and patient with the idea that we were going to be sending 154 separate people seeking out approx. $54,000 AUD of items, on our account!
Today the team have split up again. Three of the guys are on Tanna, preparing to run community meetings and identify the first beneficiaries of our permanent shelter reconstructions. They will also be monitoring the use of the fishing gear that we have deployed to the island and checking in with a medical centre that we hope to assist to reopen.
The rest of us here on Efate will be picking up some new sports gear for two of the schools we are working with, and looking into a new vehicle for the team. The one we currently have is owned by a lady who won't sign our cash vouchers, won't provide current registration for the car, and worst of all won't show up with the car when we actually need it, say to take people to the airport. Hoping we can work this out and get on with our work.
Saturday 16 May 2015
Vanuatu 22
This week I have some confirmation around the handover to the new team leader here and when I will return home. Paul Westlake arrives from the UK on May 27 and I have four days with him to brief him and show him around, before returning to Perth on June 1. (Although I actually arrive just after midnight on the morning of June 2).
I have to acknowledge in this that there is a real gift being made to the people of Vanuatu by my family and my Corps. While I don't over-estimate my own importance, I do understand the sacrifice that's made by Angela, especially, so I can serve here.
It's been a rough end to the week, in some respects. We have been working hard to try and capitalise on the visible presence of The Salvation Army through IES for the long term future of The Salvation Army in Vanuatu. Our congregations here have enjoyed this boost from afar, and there was hope for a development presence to continue after our teams exit in late July.
Sadly, the news isn't good. The development office of the Australia Eastern territory have indicated that at this stage there is no external or internal funding available for development work in Vanuatu. If there is to be an ongoing developmental presence it will be dependant on the eventual availability of internally generated self-denial funds, and probably a partnership with another agency who can monitor projects for the territory in country. This sets us back, for at least a time.
One of the greatest hindrances to our work here has been that The Salvation Arm is yet to officially recognise the congregations that we have here and register the movement in Vanuatu. We can't purchase and hold property, a vehicle for example, or enter leases, because The Salvation Army doesn't legally exist here. This is another reason that ongoing development work will be hard - it's hard to maintain a presence that doesn't technically exist.
Please pray for a way forward in this area. Our IES team have provided The Salvation Army's Sydney headquarters and International Headquarters in London with the legal paperwork required to register The Salvation Army here. We know it's not that simple though; once the movement is legally registered here, it needs to be officially maintained and that takes a lot more work than letting a couple of thriving congregations do their own thing.
I have to acknowledge in this that there is a real gift being made to the people of Vanuatu by my family and my Corps. While I don't over-estimate my own importance, I do understand the sacrifice that's made by Angela, especially, so I can serve here.
It's been a rough end to the week, in some respects. We have been working hard to try and capitalise on the visible presence of The Salvation Army through IES for the long term future of The Salvation Army in Vanuatu. Our congregations here have enjoyed this boost from afar, and there was hope for a development presence to continue after our teams exit in late July.
Sadly, the news isn't good. The development office of the Australia Eastern territory have indicated that at this stage there is no external or internal funding available for development work in Vanuatu. If there is to be an ongoing developmental presence it will be dependant on the eventual availability of internally generated self-denial funds, and probably a partnership with another agency who can monitor projects for the territory in country. This sets us back, for at least a time.
One of the greatest hindrances to our work here has been that The Salvation Arm is yet to officially recognise the congregations that we have here and register the movement in Vanuatu. We can't purchase and hold property, a vehicle for example, or enter leases, because The Salvation Army doesn't legally exist here. This is another reason that ongoing development work will be hard - it's hard to maintain a presence that doesn't technically exist.
Please pray for a way forward in this area. Our IES team have provided The Salvation Army's Sydney headquarters and International Headquarters in London with the legal paperwork required to register The Salvation Army here. We know it's not that simple though; once the movement is legally registered here, it needs to be officially maintained and that takes a lot more work than letting a couple of thriving congregations do their own thing.
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Vanuatu 21
This is not really a Vanuatu update. And given that this is not intended to be a political blog, I'll keep this brief.
The discussion among NGOs and other groups in Vila today has been the Australian budget. Countries like Vanuatu, very small, fragile and vulnerable to natural disaster, are dependant on countries like Australia. Think, if you will, a city the size of Geelong having to deal with a major cyclone, earthquake or volcanic eruption every other year, and deal with rising sea levels at the same time... And then spread that city over 83 islands. That's Vanuatu.
Today's news therefore has not been good. The cuts announced this evening have not surprised our sector, but will devastate it nonetheless. Tonight Australia's government decided to give less, proportionally, than it has ever given in our proud history of supporting overseas development.
In real terms it means that people, in countries like Vanuatu, will not receive the support they need. Reconstruction programs following natural disasters will not happen. Important educational, developmental and health programs across a range of countries that neighbour Australia will be cut.
I'm sure that there are measures within Australia that will raise concern as well. I have read of the planned activity test for child support and wonder how that is going to play out for families.
I'm sure that there is a need to find a way to balance the budget in the longer term, and this will mean compromises every time. Hurting the most vulnerable should not be the way this happens.
The discussion among NGOs and other groups in Vila today has been the Australian budget. Countries like Vanuatu, very small, fragile and vulnerable to natural disaster, are dependant on countries like Australia. Think, if you will, a city the size of Geelong having to deal with a major cyclone, earthquake or volcanic eruption every other year, and deal with rising sea levels at the same time... And then spread that city over 83 islands. That's Vanuatu.
Today's news therefore has not been good. The cuts announced this evening have not surprised our sector, but will devastate it nonetheless. Tonight Australia's government decided to give less, proportionally, than it has ever given in our proud history of supporting overseas development.
In real terms it means that people, in countries like Vanuatu, will not receive the support they need. Reconstruction programs following natural disasters will not happen. Important educational, developmental and health programs across a range of countries that neighbour Australia will be cut.
I'm sure that there are measures within Australia that will raise concern as well. I have read of the planned activity test for child support and wonder how that is going to play out for families.
I'm sure that there is a need to find a way to balance the budget in the longer term, and this will mean compromises every time. Hurting the most vulnerable should not be the way this happens.
Monday 11 May 2015
Vanuatu 20
So the night is settling in, and for the first time in around a week it is not raining. It's coming up to 8 pm, which, sad to say, is when most of the team go to bed to read. It gets a little boring in the evenings here. Unless you go out for a meal or to visit people, there's nothing to do except read or, if you're lucky, do some internet surfing. I've seen two football matches at the pub in the last few weeks - the sum total of TV I've watched since March 22.
I can contrast that with quite an eventful day. We have another island that we've been asked to assist over the weekend. It is the island of Mataso, with only 200 inhabitants, around 60km (as the crow flies) north of Port Vila.
The people of Mataso were evacuated when TC Pam struck and have not been able to return because of the damage to thier homes and infrastructure. IOM (International Office of Migration) have been coordinating efforts to return the 37 families to thier homes.
The Salvation Army is assisting by replacing their fishing gear and providing tarpaulins to go around their toilets (for privacy mostly). We are also providing water containers and water purification tablets, and sending some of our team out on Wednesday to check on hygiene and sanitation and provide education materials for children on what we call WASH in the humanitarian game (all things Water Sanitation and Hygiene).
Today the group of us still in Vila (three of my team are currently staying on Tanna Island and on Wed I need to go down to Aneityum Island) were busy procuring missing items, getting things from warehouses, arranging deliveries to the wharf and making deals with other agencies that had gear we could use.
This, as with all things, will be an adventure for Phil and Lilyrose as they will travel to Mataso on the Solomon Islands Patrol Vessell, the Akui, which is on loan to the Ni-Vanuatu government.
Thursday 7 May 2015
Vanuatu 19
For a few on the team, it's been an eventful day or two. Craig tells me that the trip to Tanna on the Touaraken was like your worst experience times 1000. Apparently Darren threw up for 24 hours. At least all of our gear has arrived and the team are safe, albeit recovering.
For the rest of us, it's very quiet in Vila. Frustratingly quiet. It has rained very heavily (so heavy you can't see the house across the driveway) for the last few days and there's been little we can do. The admin is even drying up, so I spent a bit of yesterday afternoon reading a novel! I'm hoping that today we get some quotes for the works we want to do at the Erakor school, and can get out to do some procurement ready for the next stage of our projects.
The good news is that there is a new team leader available from May 29. We are still negotiating whether I will be here for a handover day or whether I need to come home earlier.
In the meantime, we get to spend some time reflecting. I've got to say that this has not been your regular disaster, in that the people here are the friendliest, most patient and most gracious people that I think I've ever met.
Even when they hold a protest, they just show up and sit on the lawn to wait for someone to speak to them. When we are distributing essential emergency materials, they sit and wait in line. Whenever we visit a home we are welcomed and blessed. We can't even walk down the street in the evening without dozens of people wishing us 'good night'. It all makes for a calm and pleasant experience, even amid the urgency of an emergency.
For the rest of us, it's very quiet in Vila. Frustratingly quiet. It has rained very heavily (so heavy you can't see the house across the driveway) for the last few days and there's been little we can do. The admin is even drying up, so I spent a bit of yesterday afternoon reading a novel! I'm hoping that today we get some quotes for the works we want to do at the Erakor school, and can get out to do some procurement ready for the next stage of our projects.
The good news is that there is a new team leader available from May 29. We are still negotiating whether I will be here for a handover day or whether I need to come home earlier.
In the meantime, we get to spend some time reflecting. I've got to say that this has not been your regular disaster, in that the people here are the friendliest, most patient and most gracious people that I think I've ever met.
Even when they hold a protest, they just show up and sit on the lawn to wait for someone to speak to them. When we are distributing essential emergency materials, they sit and wait in line. Whenever we visit a home we are welcomed and blessed. We can't even walk down the street in the evening without dozens of people wishing us 'good night'. It all makes for a calm and pleasant experience, even amid the urgency of an emergency.
Tuesday 5 May 2015
Vanuatu 18
The last few days have been quiet on the work front, while we are waiting for project approvals and for quotes to come in from suppliers.
Each time we propose a new program or set of activities, I need to write it into a project, send it to London where they hold a CAG (crisis action group) to approve the project and allocate funds from a donor territory. Funds are getting tight at the moment as focus has well and truly moved (rightly) to Nepal. That said, we get excellent turnaround from CAGs as they understand the need for action. And, to be honest, they do forgive a certain amount of emergency action prior to approval.
It's also been a little quiet because the whole team have been in Vila, meaning the workload is spread between a bunch of us.
So today we had the chance to all go to wharf to load a ferry that's taking some of our project materials down to Tanna and Anatom. We are shipping rice and seeds to the school on Anatom, and a whole range of things to Tanna: fishing boats, reels, rope, fuel, seeds, jerry cans, solar powered freezers, even hygiene education brochures in Bislama.
We also put three of our team on the boat as it's the cheapest way to travel between islands, and we had it on good advice that if we sent valuable materials on this service, it's good to accompany them. We've been winding the guys up all week - it is a bit of a rust bucket that they're on - but I think we're all secretly jealous. It will be a bit of an adventure, and certainly more interesting than some of the government meetings I find myself in.
Each time we propose a new program or set of activities, I need to write it into a project, send it to London where they hold a CAG (crisis action group) to approve the project and allocate funds from a donor territory. Funds are getting tight at the moment as focus has well and truly moved (rightly) to Nepal. That said, we get excellent turnaround from CAGs as they understand the need for action. And, to be honest, they do forgive a certain amount of emergency action prior to approval.
It's also been a little quiet because the whole team have been in Vila, meaning the workload is spread between a bunch of us.
So today we had the chance to all go to wharf to load a ferry that's taking some of our project materials down to Tanna and Anatom. We are shipping rice and seeds to the school on Anatom, and a whole range of things to Tanna: fishing boats, reels, rope, fuel, seeds, jerry cans, solar powered freezers, even hygiene education brochures in Bislama.
We also put three of our team on the boat as it's the cheapest way to travel between islands, and we had it on good advice that if we sent valuable materials on this service, it's good to accompany them. We've been winding the guys up all week - it is a bit of a rust bucket that they're on - but I think we're all secretly jealous. It will be a bit of an adventure, and certainly more interesting than some of the government meetings I find myself in.
Saturday 2 May 2015
Vanuatu 17
Today was a day of contrasts.
We were out early to the wharf where we have booked a fair space on the Touraken ferry. The ferry leaves Monday for multiple islands in the south. Cargo had to be loaded today ready for Monday's departure (the wharf being closed Sunday).
We loaded over a tonne of rice to go to the high school on Anatom. We also loaded fishing boats, tackle, solar powered freezers, batteries, jerry cans, seeds and a range of up hygiene education materials for our projects on Tanna. On Monday, three of our team will lave with the Touraken for the overnight trip to Tanna to unload.
After that we visited a local NGO, the Butterfly Trust, who are working north of Efate. Through a partnership deal we gave them some of our tarpaulins - a few of whom ironically and to go back to the wharf to cover their materials that will be left on the dock during Sunday's closure!
One of the other agencies we've worked closely with this week is the International Office of Migration. They found some families living in an abandoned shed who couldn't affford to restore their homes so they could return. We were able to provide them with hardware materials thorough our voucher scheme and also purchase household items, so they can start to fix things ready for going home. They are from the village of Ferarri (I love the names of places here. Our car is garaged at Beverly Hills. The Tagabe Outpost is at 21 Jump Street...)
We finished the day by hiring some ocean kayaks from the nearby resort (only cost $5 each) and going for a paddle. Google maps suggests we paddled about 6-7km. We're sore! Just when we got through the heads to come back through the lagoon to the resort, two of us were dumped. I landed on coral, cut my foot and lost my drink bottle and half of the snorkel gear I'd borrowed. Alastair lost his glasses (made for an interesting paddle back) and snorkel gear. Thankfully he didn't lose my dri-bag that he had on his kayak with his phone and our snacks in it. It was a great day, but it's meant everyone's gone to bed early. It's 9pm and I'm last to turn in. Which nonetheless is happening now.
We were out early to the wharf where we have booked a fair space on the Touraken ferry. The ferry leaves Monday for multiple islands in the south. Cargo had to be loaded today ready for Monday's departure (the wharf being closed Sunday).
We loaded over a tonne of rice to go to the high school on Anatom. We also loaded fishing boats, tackle, solar powered freezers, batteries, jerry cans, seeds and a range of up hygiene education materials for our projects on Tanna. On Monday, three of our team will lave with the Touraken for the overnight trip to Tanna to unload.
After that we visited a local NGO, the Butterfly Trust, who are working north of Efate. Through a partnership deal we gave them some of our tarpaulins - a few of whom ironically and to go back to the wharf to cover their materials that will be left on the dock during Sunday's closure!
One of the other agencies we've worked closely with this week is the International Office of Migration. They found some families living in an abandoned shed who couldn't affford to restore their homes so they could return. We were able to provide them with hardware materials thorough our voucher scheme and also purchase household items, so they can start to fix things ready for going home. They are from the village of Ferarri (I love the names of places here. Our car is garaged at Beverly Hills. The Tagabe Outpost is at 21 Jump Street...)
We finished the day by hiring some ocean kayaks from the nearby resort (only cost $5 each) and going for a paddle. Google maps suggests we paddled about 6-7km. We're sore! Just when we got through the heads to come back through the lagoon to the resort, two of us were dumped. I landed on coral, cut my foot and lost my drink bottle and half of the snorkel gear I'd borrowed. Alastair lost his glasses (made for an interesting paddle back) and snorkel gear. Thankfully he didn't lose my dri-bag that he had on his kayak with his phone and our snacks in it. It was a great day, but it's meant everyone's gone to bed early. It's 9pm and I'm last to turn in. Which nonetheless is happening now.
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