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.