Find us here:

Pacific Pathways Vanuatu Projects 2018

Paama Island cyclone Pam projects .... continued 2018

Picture
Paama Island is located between south Ambrym Island and Epi, in the Malampa Province. 
​
The airport on Paama is Tavie (Tabwe) airfield on the northern tip of the island and it is one of the most spectacular in Vanuatu with one end overlooking the ocean and the other close up to a hill, it is a grass strip and only 800 m long.
 
Flying into Tavie was our introduction to our visit to Paama Island to assess the damage after cyclone Pam.  It was a most interesting flight from Santo via, Norsup ( Malekula), Craig Cove (West Ambrym), Ulei (East Ambrym) then it is a 5 minute flight to Paama and yes 'spectacular'!
PictureMaterials are shipped to Tavie and carried up to Tavie Village and the building site
Tavie Village Evacuation Centre

You may not be aware that prior to cyclone Pam in March 2015, Tavie suffered a 6.6 earthquake on the 19th of February, they lost over 5 meters of land that disappeared into the ocean, killing trees, gardens and pasture. This was followed by a 10 meter tsunami, just 3 minutes later that threw large rocks on to the remaining shore, which blocked tracks and access to Tavie village and the Airport for Paama.  The community spent days moving large rocks and debris only for cyclone Pam to bring it all back.  This landslide meant the airport was cut off from Liro the main village on Paama.  The road was rerouted across the beach. 

The population of Tavie is about 95, who sheltered in the 3 remaining houses during cyclone Pam. While we were working in Tavie, we met with Chief Roy and elders of this communities.  They asked if we could assist them by building an evacuation centre to support the community and the Airport for Paama Island
 
“An evacuation center will help the community as a shelter during disaster such as an earthquake, tsunami, or  cyclone. Also, the community can use this building to accommodate families and friends who are coming from other villages for a marriage ceremony and also passengers who may need shelter or to stay overnight while waiting for a flight.”


Rationale for this project : -  

  • Only 3 of the 40 houses in the community remained standing after cyclone Pam
  • Tavie is the location of the airport which was isolated due to landslides from a severe earthquake followed by cyclone Pam
  • An evacuation centre will not only service the community but also the airport should an incident take place while people are waiting at the airport.
 
With funding support from New Zealand High Commission, Port Vila and Rotary NZ World Community Services we returned to Paama in March 2018 to build the Tavie Evacuation Centre.  This is now complete and fully operational as an evacuation centre which they used recently during cyclone Harold in April 2020.  
Picture
PictureLiro Health Centre's guesthouse after cyclone Pam

Liro Health Centre Guest House 

Liro Health Centre’s Health Committee started building a “Mama’s House” ( Guest House) in late 2014 that would serve as a place for family members to stay when expecting mothers delivered. The health centre does not have the facilities or the resources to cater for patients so families come and look after them.  The health committee also recognised that the guest house would also serve to accommodation visiting medical professions, aid workers and tourists and would in turn generate revenue so the health centre can run outreach clinics to the villages around Paama Island. The construction was then halted by Cyclone Pam and the damaged it caused to the structure.

A visit to see the Health Centre Registered nurse is : Adult:  100 vatu (NZ $ 1.50) and for a Child 50 vatu (NZ  .75c)
So it is difficult to raise the funds for such a project and also any maintenance for the hospital.

With funding support from New Zealand High Commission, Port Vila and Rotary NZ World Community Services Pacific Pathways returned to Paama in March 2018 and with the help of the community rebuilt the guesthouse. It is now fully operational and is generating an income
for the Medical Centre.

Pacific Pathways Kindy Projects for 2018

Woru Kindy Project
​Craig Cover, West Ambrym

We were in Woru last year to help the school reroof two of the classrooms, the iron has rusted through due to the acid rain from the nearby volcanoes.  The children had to move their desks each time it rained.
​
When we visited in November the community had in fact had a drought with no rain for 6 months.   They are living on a very limited diet due to the lack of water, no crops will survive, there were relying on a diet of rice, noodles and tinned tuna. They live a self sufficient lifestyle with no excesses to sell, their only means to make any money. They can't afford to build a new kindy.

The new kindy will mean that the pikinini will be able to attend preschool in a safe & strong structure. 

June 2020 - funding has been approved by the New Zealand High Commission in Port Vila. This project is due to commence July 2020., to be completed for the start of the school year in 2021

Bohase Haseturu Kindy Project
​Malo Island

We have a long association with Bohase Haseturu kindy, the community and the family who run the kindy.
We have been supporting this kindy since our first visit in 2014 when we delivered one of our first 'Kits for Kindy " donated by
The Inner Wheel organisation. 

This kindy services 12 villages in the surrounding area which is made up of over 150 families.  It is situated several kms from the nearest school.  We have watched the number of pikinini attending the kindy grow and they are now struggling to accommodate the increase in numbers. 
Bohase Haseturu Kindy is a community funded and supported kindy.  They do not get government funding, it is the responsibility of the families and the community, which is often difficult. To raise funds for a new building would be extremely difficult.

February 2020 - funding was approved by the Ratua Foundation. Work started on the kindy in March, but has been put on hold due to the devastation caused cyclone Harold in April. Luckily, only the foundation had been completed so no damage was caused by the cyclone.  Work will commence July., with the intent for the kindy to be open in full for the start of the school year 2021.