30 Years Old With an Education Gap - No Written Language

Vanuatu’s tropical islands are renowned for its diversity, with nearly 115 distinct cultures and languages.

The International Year of Languages has been used as a springboard to bring together a diverse group of adults from across 83 islands across the archipelago of Vanuatu. They came together to learn to translate their oral language to a written form.

A keen group of 23 adult students from 12 different language groups arrived in Port Vila to discover the power of words in their own language. These shy people slowly began to communicate with each other, as language barriers were broken down.

Many Ni-Vanuatu people are multi-lingual, speaking French, Bislama, English and their home language. Yet, the majority have relied on an oral language, completing primary schooling no use of writing skills in their own language.

Customs and tales of ancestors have been passed from generation to generation over the cooking pots, under the banyan tree and through the cultural ceremonies and dances.

The capital hosted the adult students, from as far away as the isolated, northern islands of Motolava and the southern island of Tanna. “To leave our island homes, fly in a plane and cross the ocean, has been a first for us”, said Jesse, a mother of three children, in broken English.

“Communication was at the heart of the workshop,” explained a spokesperson for the project. “The translation of important information to the Mother tongue has highlighted this. When the students return to their island homes, they will share their knowledge and show their community the power of the written word. The community will move forward in leaps and bounds in this exciting new adventure.”

Free education is not available in Vanuatu. Everyone must pay school fees as the government provides limited resources. For most families the fee is beyond the small incomes of villagers, living in a ‘no-cash-economy’.

The horrific consequence is:

• Only 55.8% of Vanuatu kids will get to grade 6;

• Of those only 18.2% will go to high school;

• 26% will never go to school.

Many parents are not able to read or write in any language.

Vanuatu desperately needs help to educate the next generation. Although rich in knowledge about their land, culture and traditions, the Happiest Country on Earth (voted in 2006) needs help to educate the young generation, if the country is to move forward. As a Lesser Developed country, donor funding is seen pouring into the country, but education is low on the priority list.

Rick and Wendy Tendys are raffling Seachange Lodge (a private holiday home, plus 6 luxury holiday apartments) on the Internet, to raise funds for non-repayable high school education grants for the children of the outer islands of Vanuatu.

You can help, donate and make a difference in the lives of these people and you might win the boutique resort through a world first Blue Moon Opportunity.