The Global Volunteer Part 3: Getting The Work Done

The environment in Vanuatu is spectacular. It is reputed to have the best diving in the world; the snorkeling could only be described as unsurpassable; the weather for nine months of the year is ideal (the other 3 are hot, hot, hot and high humidity); the island communities are picturesque and welcoming, and the people are gorgeous. This is one of the best honeymoon and holiday places you could find on the planet. It is modern enough to feel comfortable, particularly in Port Vila (the capital), Luganville on the island of Santo and Lenakel on Tanna. And yet it is still possible to find remote and untouched communities where life has been going on the same way for centuries.

Vanuatu is a developing nation in terms of its economy, health, education and government. The French and the British administered the islands jointly under a condominium government until July 1980 when the Ni-Vanuatu (that’s the name for the locals) claimed their independence as the Republic of Vanuatu. It was previously the New Hebrides. The Ni-Vanuatu are now totally responsible for government and to assist them to make this huge transition to independence and being a nation of the 21st Century there is a lot of aid work that is supported by governments and corporations from around the world. I am not about to debate the pros and cons of this system, we were caught up in It as Australian volunteers and we went there to do a job.

My job was to work with Youth Challenge Vanuatu as a mentor to the Project Manager, a support to the new Program Director and the meaty stuff was to review all current policies and procedures, write a staff handbook and implement a staff training program. – HA! EASY! Well it would have been IF we had computers that worked, staff that had a western work ethic, an office that was not a drop in centre and a program that never experienced a hitch!  The reality was far from the ideal and contributed greatly to the building of strong relationships and mutual respect.

We delivered about twelve projects while I was there. They ranged from building health clinics, aid posts and water tanks to conducting Youth Skills Summits and Women’s Conferences on remote islands. More often than not there was no air transport to the islands so our volunteers went out on cargo ships. Inevitably, in the tropics, newcomers are plagued with the effects of insect bites, cuts and scratches, exposure to new bacteria and malaria. New and different foods caused stomach upsets and food preparation was accomplished in island kitchens amidst the cats, the dogs and the children. All of this needed to be supported across the islands without the benefit of mobile phones or internet communication. Often the only phone would be in the next village and could be an hour’s walk away. Youth Challenge staff did a magnificent job of supporting these projects and I am very proud of the work we did in that time.

What was more important to me personally was the relationships I developed with the staff of the agency. I was easily 20 years older than any other member of staff and perhaps 30 years older than the volunteers who were drawn from the community and overseas to complete the project work. Age was no barrier. I was just one of the gang and they accepted, welcomed and respected me. Work was fun and I have to say there is nothing that will keep you young as much as working with enthusiastic and committed young people. I engaged with and grew to love the Ni-Vanuatu youth I worked with. There will always be those that were very special and for me that gets down to about 10-12 people. I now have a lifelong friendship with them. Some of them have now gone on to have children and I am the “Aussie Grandma”. I keep in touch with them and our relationships are growing.

Since leaving Vanuatu I have spent two years in the United Arab Emirates and I now live in China. I have returned to Vanuatu this year to meet the ‘grandchildren’ and I will go back again periodically. After all if it has the Happiest People on Earth I would be crazy not to want to be there.ic,