A record of our activities
Newsletter March 2023
2023 has turned into another tumultuous year. In this newsletter we look back on our past year’s work in Vanuatu, but at the same time are very conscious of the devastation caused by Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, and other recent flooding events, in Aotearoa, not to mention other disasters, both natural and man-made, throughout the world. Vanuatu has also been hit by two cyclones, Judy and Kevin, in quick succession.
Newsletter March 2022
Until early March 2022, Vanuatu remained one of a very small handful of countries with no community transmission of the Covid-19 virus, an incredible achievement thanks in large part to the leadership of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its strict border protocols. We fervently hoped that the ‘almost covid-free’ status would remain until vaccination rates reached a comfortable plateau. Now, unfortunately, the country joins the ranks of several Pacific Island nations with community transmission.
Newsletter June 2021
Since our December 2020 newsletter, we are pleased to report that Vanuatu has maintained her Covid-free status. Other than a few incursions at the border, there has, so far, been no community transmission. Like many Pacific Island nations, Vanuatu’s health services are at high risk of being overwhelmed in the event of community spread. This is significant in light of several highly transmissible variants in circulation.
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Newsletter 2020
2020 started with the twin challenges of Covid-19 and Tropical Cyclone Harold. TC Harold was a category 5 cyclone which struck Vanuatu with extreme force between the 4th and 6th of April. The Butterfly Trust worked hard on cyclone recovery activities within the confines of the restrictions of the coronavirus. Later in the year the Trust managed to return to some of its more long-term development projects.
April Newsletter | June Newsletter | December Newsletter |
Newsletter 2019
The last year has been marked by the willingness of Ni-Vanuatu to take on the responsibility of the Butterfly Trust’s programmes. This is a lengthy process which began a number of years ago and is steadily approaching the point where the role of BT will become a background one of resourcing, administration and mentoring. In the newsletter you will be able to read about how this process was present in all BT’s work during 2019 and into 2020.
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Newsletter December 2017/2018
Volcanic activity on the island of Ambae in 2017 caused the Vanuatu government to declare a state of emergency. The first evacuation of Ambae residents occurred in September 2017. Since then, continuous volcanic activity resulted in the permanent relocation of the entire population of approximately 10,000, although many have now returned.
Living on the verge of potentially catastrophic, geological events for generations has endowed the people of Vanuatu with an innate resilience and an enduring capacity to balance uncertainty with routine.
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Newsletter November 2016
Vanuatu is one of the least developed nations on earth. It cannot support itself, is subjected to numerous outside political pressures by larger, more developed countries, but has a reputation as a happy and relatively safe place. It is a country in transition, between traditional, clan-based political and social structures and western-style democracy. It is only a 3 hour flight from New Zealand or Australia but the differences in living standards could not be more pronounced..
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Newsletter April 2016
In 2016, in Vanuatu, the Trust is hoping to return its primary focus to that of community support and development, concentrating on health and education, but with continued cyclone recovery work in technical building education and training.
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Cyclone Pam Update – June 2015
One of the most impressive aspects of the relief and recovery effort is the willingness of all stakeholders to work together. This includes the Vanuatu government, the NGOs and outside governments. Almost every day, the Trust has attended “cluster” meetings with representatives of each of these groups to plan and coordinate the response to the damage caused by the cyclone.
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Cyclone Pam Update – 31 March 2015
It has been over two weeks since category 5 Cyclone Pam tore through Vanuatu leaving widespread destruction and damage. Since then the Butterfly Trust has been working hard to assist with the relief effort and put in place programmes for longer term recovery.
The Trust’s team on the ground in Vanuatu consists of Dave and Lynn Colbert, our local advisory trustees and committee members, Don Bradford, Linda Trenkner, Benson Tangou, Abed Kamsel and Viran Tovu, our incountry manager Tony Batten, and our coordinator Aya Pigdon.
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Newsletter Vanuatu 2014
This update contains a comprehensive overview of the Trust’s work in 2014. There is a lot of material but we think it is important that you are fully informed about how your generosity translates into work on the ground. In this regard, if you have any feedback, please don’t hesitate to provide it. We welcome all advice and suggestions.
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Newsletter Vanuatu 2014 – Dental & Medical
The impact of good education on community development and poverty reduction, albeit indirect and long term, is unequivocal. With better education, understanding of disease prevention and access to health services is enhanced, and good health is a key contributor to increased productivity and economic progress. Health is also a factor affecting individuals’ capacity to learn.
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Newsletter Vanuatu 2013
From football to oral health, from school fees to sewing schools, from environmental research to medical care, from teacher training to solar power education, the work of the Trust continues to grow. This update provides an overview of what the Trust has accomplished in 2013 and what is on the agenda for 2014. It includes contributions from the ni-Van people we work with, our volunteers, and supporters.
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Newsletter Vanuatu 2012
The Butterfly Trust had a fine team of four enthusiastic doctors this year who volunteered their services to provide medical care and training to the people of South Malekula. The selection of all four doctors was overseen by Dr Peter Woolford, the Trust’s Medical Programme Advisor, and final approval was granted by the Ministry of Health in Vanuatu (‘MOH’).
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Newsletter Vanuatu 2011
The Butterfly Trust has had another busy year in the Maskelyne Islands of Vanuatu. Lying off the southeast corner of Malekula, one of the larger islands in the Vanuatu group, the Maskelynes have all the advantages and disadvantages of remoteness. Our aim, at the request of the islanders, is to assist the five villages (and approximately 1500 people) of the Maskelynes to have better access to health and education services.
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Newsletter Vanuatu 2010
Putting aside bouts of seasickness, the inevitable bureaucratic delays and fee waiving wrangling with Customs and Quarantine in Port Vila (over the clothing and sporting gear which many of you have kindly donated), fearsome mosquitoes of the malarial and dengue variety, almost too many kava sessions and an earthquake experienced under cover of a certain newly renovated pandanus hut, the Butterfly Trust has otherwise had a very busy, enlightening and thoroughly invigorating time. A very humbling experience shared amongst our gracious island hosts and kindred spirits.
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