Vanuatu Visit, Votlo Village, Epi Island
October 5 - 14 2017
Our goal was to find out what progress had been made on achievements the year before at the village in Votlo and to assess what could be done in the future. It was pleasing to see the following working:
Sewing machines were in good condition and had served well .The sewer ladies had been making clothes and selling them in the Village.
Existing Composting Toilets are in place and working well, one new one is still being constructed, plus 2 more foundations are in place. The villagers require 5O m 4x2 and 3 sheets ply wood to complete one more toilet.
The computers have had a little use with the internet not as yet available on the island, but they do use them for videos and some school programmes, now they can charge them easily.
The building built last year is working very well for the village. One night recently the entire village (84 people) moved in to stay safe from a hurricane ... one of the reasons the building was built to withstand a category 5 cyclone.
Solar Panels installed last year are providing sufficient power to run the local church, all village cell phones, lighting for functions, a photcopier, freezer, etc .The villagers are charged 120 vat per charge.
Discussions were held with Falia (Chairman of school committee) Saki (Finance director) and Noel (Chairman of the kindergarten committee). Their wish is for a new replacement Kindergarten Building.
The Kindergarten had been levelled by a recent hurricane and the 20 children at the kindy anow in a make shift thatched building.
The new construction would be on concrete foundation and built to Category 5 cyclone standard.
The schools long term plans are to have a school, kindergarten, and secondary school at the village.
Thomas the headmaster made comments that the supply of water to the village was non-existent. There is insufficient pressure to push the water from the village up to the higher elevation where the schools will be situated. On discussion with Alan the local plumber, they are looking to get a Solar powered pump that will pump water up sufficiently to meet the water required for the school. We visited the water supply system 4 k from the village. Here sufficient water is flowing to meet the village's needs, so we need to see what system can be installed to allow water to reach the school. Thomas did stress to me this was necessary and as soon as possible. I believe we can get a pump system that will work for them.
At Vila contact was made with Total Construction re a building re the Kindy .The building 10x6 fully lined with 12 mm ply, 4 shutter windows, door, lighting from a new solar power panels is possible. We are working with Morgan Baggy (Rotarian) to supply specifications, drawings, prices etc .Once this is completed we would table this for support by Dunedin North Rotary and we investigate applying for an International Grant .
From the budget we supplied Mosquito nets, Medical products, sewing fabric and accessories.
Janet focused on health teaching for adults and children. The problem with leg sores in the children remains but less severe. Children were taught to wash, dry and cover sores with sticky plaster. All classroom levels were visited for teaching which included:
Smoking, Sneezing / coughing technique, Care of sores, salt intake, sugary drinks, back care, hand washing.
There have been delays in getting a villager into the Health Worker Programme. I have made contact with the Shefa Health Officer and the Korvan Community Health School. The next suitable programme is scheduled for mid/late 2018. We are trying to convince them to let us fund a villager in this programme which usually selects their own students. I also met a local village health worker who gave me a much clearer description of the job.
The trip was funded by a Rotary District Grant $4,000, $2,000 each from Wanaka and Alexandra and $1,000 from Wayne Bowens Property company
Recommendations are:
Source spec. plans for Kindergarten, price for Supply and Erect on site April 2018. Source Water Solar pump
Investigate supply of Internet connections on the island.