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| Local kids on the beach in Vanuatu |
Over the last month Colin, Danielle and Joe all did just this, and headed off to research potential projects in Mauritius, Vanuatu and parts of South East Asia. All have now returned home to Sydney with glowing reviews of the locals and their communities in each country. Below is a quick wrap up from each trip.
Danielle Bukovinsky
Vanuatu
After a few years discussing the possibility to include Vanuatu as one of our destinations, I finally had the opportunity to visit and research the opportunities that it could offer Antipodeans, Abroad. I wasn’t disappointed. In 2007, Vanuatu was voted as being the “happiest” country in the world and it is easy to see why. The people are amongst the friendliest I’ve met with big welcoming smiles and a laid back sense of island time!
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| Freshwater grotto in Vanuatu |
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| Local kids in Vanuatu |
Much of time was spent on Rah Island in the Banks group of islands located in the far northern TORBA Provence. This is a very special place, rich in Melanesian culture and unique customs from the region. The small island of Rah and the nearby “mainland” of Mota Lava will offer great opportunities for our Expedition & World Tours programs where Teams could be involved in building and renovation programs to improve the local community co-operative and hall and assist in building a much needed kindergarten on the island.
The Banks Island group also offers potential for our GapBreak and UniBreak programs where students could be placed in the local English or French schools on a teaching placement, or in the local Medical Post on Mota Lava to assist with outpatient clinics, antenatal and prenatal clinics, family planning and health education. There is also the potential for environmental and conservation projects, as well as facilitating a drop in centre for school leavers to educate them in mechanics, carpentry, traditional cooking and weaving techniques.
The remote location of Rah and Mota Lava, means you are a world away from things we take for granted. There are only four vehicles on the island, more often only two are road worthy. Most people walk or use traditional outrigger canoes. There is no electricity, no email, no shops, and very few tourists. There is however a welcoming string band, men’s and women’s custom dancing, sand drawings, traditional fishing, island reefs to explore with a colourful underwater world, endless white sand beaches and fantastic sunsets to watch and ponder the important things in life! Watch the website for the inclusion of Vanuatu as a destination you can travel to.
Joe Lodge
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam
It was great to get back to South East Asia, it’s been a few years! I loved it. Not only the weather, but the food, the friendly people, the ability to be able to travel so easily from place to place and just soak it all in.
It was fantastic to visit our existing projects and see what all our Expedition, GapBreak and UniBreak students have done in the past 12 months, and the progress they have made. I was also lucky enough to make some great contacts for new potential volunteer projects.
In particular, I visited some new teaching and medical placements on the Thailand/Burma border that looked worthwhile, and very sustainable to the local community. I was then able to drop into some community projects in various Cambodian and Thai village communities, that would work well for our school Expedition program. These villages had no tourists and were definitely a highlight of my trip. My last stop was to visit some fantastic new GapBreak projects in the beautiful islands of southern Thailand, and get involved in some water activities!
To be able to access to these amazing communities, that the normal back-packer doesn’t go to, was a real pleasure for me. To sum it up? Great kids to meet, fantastic small local schools, the elephant sanctuaries, amazing food, stunning beaches and really fun and friendly people. I loved it all.
Colin Carpenter
Mauritius
Mauritius is a fascinating mix of Indian, African and French cultures. French is the predominant language amongst educated Mauritians but Creole is spoken by Afro-Indian locals. English is spoken as a second language. After meeting with three local NGO's, all involved with reef and sea animal conservation, I came to the conclusion that this would be a fantastic placement for our Antipodeans students.
The sea animal conservation project involves dolphin and whale watching, with the local organisation equipped with their own speed boat with professional driver. Students could go out on the boats Mon-Thurs, following the commercial tourist dolphin-watching boats and get up close and personal with dolphins. The aim is to observe, and record the dolphins and whale activities.
There are a range of exciting opportunities in this beautiful area for Antipodeans students – a very worthwhile trip indeed!
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