The Low Down

Okay, there have been a lot of questions about what's actually happening when I move overseas this year. I've been tempted to actually print '21st July' on my forehead some days (that's my departure date). So after this has been published all I'll need to do is tattoo paama-trees.blogspot to my head instead. :0)
Getting serious now: about half way through year 11 I learned about GAP (government abroad programs), and how they offer placements all over the world for people aged anywhere between 18 and 25. Those of you who know me will know that I've been heavily involved with charity organisations like World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse, Compassion and more for the last three years and longer. Some of you may also know that I was one of twelve people considered by World Vision for the Study Tour that visited Tanzania earlier this year. I've been really, 'desperate' you could say, to meet the type of people I've been trying to help these past years, and hopefully will be helping through my career for the rest of my life.
While GAP didn't offer a placement in Northern Africa, after talking to Vanuatu Coordinator Joe Grabin I realised that Vanuatu seemed everything I'd been looking for. Remote, completely different culturally, physically and traditionally, and also (as I've heard it put) primitive in comparison to out flashy plasma screens, sound systems, holdens, sky scrapers and dare I say our porcelain dunnys.
Hopefully through this posting I'll let you know a bit about what I'll actual be doing, and how I'll be living for the next five months! :0)

The Island

While in Vanuatu I won't be staying in resorts in Port Villa, I'll be roughing it out on an island you can't even find in the atlas. That island is Paama island, located north of Port Villa, and it's a tiny 9km long and 4km wide. There are two major villages; Liro (where I'll be staying) and Loulep. Last I heard there were approximately 2,500 people living there, so I won’t be short of company. Right next to the Island is a volcano half its size, called Lopevi volcano. It is active, the reason I’m not in Vanuatu right now is because there was an eruption earlier this year and they had to change the school terms. While I’m a little disappointed my time in Vanuatu was cut short, who I am to argue with a volcano?

The Village

Liro village is located about 15 min boat ride or a 40 min walk along the beach from the airport. The airport being a little strip of clear land. There is a generator in the village, but it’s only used during festivals (that means no power at any other time of the year). The medical clinic, village stores, and the local branch of the National Bank of Vanuatu (a 1-room tin shed!) are located in the village. There’s no running water anywhere on Paama island, but I’ve been told the black sand beaches are an ideal place to have a shower.

Accommodation

Both me and the other volunteers will be living in a two room Kastom house (or grass hut). There’s a spacious bedroom, and a kitchen with a gas stove and lantern (luxury!) (photo: vaum kitchen) You might have guessed that there’s no electricity or running water, but I’ve been promised a bucket (which I’m sure I’ll be very grateful for at the end of the day). You’ve probably heard me talking about my toilet as well, which is actually pretty sophisticated, I think. It’s, of course, outside and the walls are quite see through. We’ve had quite a laugh over it.

Food

Here’s where it gets really interesting. While I might be used to Maccers, BBQs, Curry, Thai, Italian and my all time favourite – Mexican, I don’t quite think I’ll get that kind of variety in the South Pacific. Generally food there is quite bland, consisting of tinned meat, tinned fruit, tinned veggies and margarine (one of their staples). There is some fresh fruit and veggies, which consist mainly of yam, sweet potato or potato. The national dish, lap lap, which I attempted to create, actually had no taste at all and only a mushy texture. Still, the last thing I’m going to be doing is asking for something a little more varied, as I’ve heard that in the hilly regions they can serve whole fruit bat. Bonappetite!

The School

Vaum Junior Secondary school, where I’ll have the joy of teaching, is a small government run school with some 140 pupils aged 11 to 18. While there I’ll be teaching year 7 students English, science and religious education. I’m also expected to help with extra curriculum activities such as library, games and PE. If I’m feeling particularly crazy I also have the chance to immerse myself in even younger kids at the local primary school. While kids can be little, clingy monsters, this is a very real possibility for me.

My GAP Partner

The person who’ll I’ll be living with for the next five months is Bec Hiscock. She also lives in SA, in Adelaide, which is really handy and we hope to meet up soon. While we still don’t know that much about each other we’ve already found a lot in common. She’s also 18, just finished year 12 and is taking up this challenge for the same reasons I am. Once I meet up with her I hope to discover many more things we share.

Well, that about sums it up. A few extra details: I’ll be coming home before Christmas, when exactly I don’t know as I’m hoping to travel around Vanuatu a bit more before heading back, the people in Vanuatu speak French, English and also Bislama. They’re very used to us westerners as there have been Gappers going to this school for some years now. The Peace Corp has also noticed what a great job the previous Gappers have done and so they’ve donated a cat to keep us Aussies company during some of the lonlier days away from home.
Well, I’m sure this is quite long enough for anyone to read. I’m sure there’ll be plenty more questions that I neglected to answer this time round, so expect a part 2!