Dugong project
My family and I love traveling and love our planet.
Every year, we try to do 1 trip abroad with a charity purpose.
This year, my parents chose Vanuatu. How? Well, they met a very nice couple in Bay of Islands, New Zealand who travels every winter to Vanuatu with their yacht. We were all very interested in their voyage and asked them more about this archipelago. They showed us photos and a movie and also told us how they were helping some villages through their traveling. That is when it “clicked”!
So here is our program:
15 Feb 2009 - 30 April 2009: Fundraising
May week 1: purchase of the material
- crayons, pencils, chalk
- paint, glitter, brushes
- reading books, exercise books, colouring books
- glue
- art and craft materials
- paper
Vanuatu children at school in the village of Ipayato .
May week 2: send this material on the boat Te Vaka
Mid May: Te Vaka sails to New Caledonia
3 August 2009 - 12 August 2009: meet Te Vaka in Port Vila, Vanuatu and sail to Epi Island to deliver our school supplies.
Septembre week 1: evening drinks to thank people who donated and show them photos of our trip.
Why Dugong project?
Dugongs are rare, wonderful and friendly sea cows. Ancient, majestic and curious, swimming with one is a special treat. People kayaking around the Blue Water area have spotted them and sometimes one or two find their way into Erakor Lagoon. There is also a large, friendly one in Lamen Bay on Epi Island. It’s not widely advertised because, as they say, two’s company and three hundred’s a crowd but small groups are welcome to meet and play with him/her.
More info on Vanuatu
Full Name Republic of Vanuatu
Capital City Port Vila (on the island of Efate)
Population 200,000 +
Languages Bislama (official), French (official), English (official)
Currency Vatu (VT)
Geography The Republic of Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is located some 1,750 km east of Australia, 500 km north-east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji and south of the Solomon Islands. It was named New Hebrides during its colonial period.
Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands, of which two — Matthew and Hunter — are also claimed by the French overseas department of New Caledonia.
Most of the islands are mountainous and of volcanic origin, and have a tropical or sub-tropical climate. There are several active volcanoes in Vanuatu, including Yasur on the island of Tanna, one of the world’s most accesible volcanoes, as well as several underwater ones.
Culture Vanuatu boasts 113 distinct languages and innumerable dialects. This makes it one of the most culturally diverse countries on earth.
With no written language, story telling, songs and dances are of paramount importance. Art, in it's many forms, from body decorations and tattoos, to elaborate masks, hats and carvings are also a vital part of ritual celebrations and the social life of the village.
A project from lena.arnera.com
