Sunday, April 11, 2010
Satellite phone for Rah Island
Late last year a guest from Europe very generously donated a satellite phone with a two year subscription to our hosts on Rah Island. The very kind donation is greatly appreciated as it improves communication in such remote locations and connects Rah with the world for emergencies and other important matters. The phone is recharged via solar panel.
Rah Beach Bungalow name change and new bungalow
Father Luke and Rona have changed the name of their "Rah Beach Bungalows" after a guest from Switzerland commented that for people who speak English as a second language the name sounds like "Rubbish bungalow".
The name has been changed to "Rah Paradise Bungalows". The previous name was the "Harry Memorial Guesthouse".
Being Vanuatu the name might change again in the future.
The new dormitory bungalow and second flush toilet have now been completed. The "Rah Paradise Bungalow" can now comfortably sleep 15 people. There are two other bungalows on Rah Island for guests and bungalows on Mota Lava Island if Rah is full.
Considering there was tidal wave damage to the "Rah Beach Bungalows" during a cyclone just over 1 year ago that caused considerable damage to accommodation it is amazing how the Dini family have bounced back through the carpentry skills of their sons and no doubt the hard work of everyone else in their family. Many people on the island thought it would be the end of Father Luke after so many years fo struggling to get his bungalows and tourism running well on Rah. They have rebuilt the bungalows and improved it consaiderably. They must have the cleanest bathroom facilities of any island bungalow in Vanuatu I think.
The event, how VCT assisted the community, and how Father Luke returned from a deep feeling of dispair can be read about in the article "Welcome Home" on the VCT website. Click on the title of this blog for the link to the web page.
The name has been changed to "Rah Paradise Bungalows". The previous name was the "Harry Memorial Guesthouse".
Being Vanuatu the name might change again in the future.
The new dormitory bungalow and second flush toilet have now been completed. The "Rah Paradise Bungalow" can now comfortably sleep 15 people. There are two other bungalows on Rah Island for guests and bungalows on Mota Lava Island if Rah is full.
Considering there was tidal wave damage to the "Rah Beach Bungalows" during a cyclone just over 1 year ago that caused considerable damage to accommodation it is amazing how the Dini family have bounced back through the carpentry skills of their sons and no doubt the hard work of everyone else in their family. Many people on the island thought it would be the end of Father Luke after so many years fo struggling to get his bungalows and tourism running well on Rah. They have rebuilt the bungalows and improved it consaiderably. They must have the cleanest bathroom facilities of any island bungalow in Vanuatu I think.
The event, how VCT assisted the community, and how Father Luke returned from a deep feeling of dispair can be read about in the article "Welcome Home" on the VCT website. Click on the title of this blog for the link to the web page.
Rah Children's Education Scholarship Fund results for 2010
Vanuatu Custom Travel and the community of Rah Island have initiated a children's education scholarship fund to sponsor children of Rah Island to attend high school and college. Often these children have to go to Pentecost, Santo or Efate islands and pay full board tpo attend school. The cost is considerably high for a lcoal wage. The Vanuatu giovernment has introduced free education for primary schools up to year 6 staring from 2010. The financial leap to pay for high school education (school fees and books + transport + full board) has been a huge hurdle for many families to continue their child's education.
Father Luke has proudly reported that this year the scholarship fund has sponsored 15 students to continue their education. 1 student to the municipal school, 1 to college, 3 to vocational school and 10 to secondary school.
The fund has been very popular with guests wishing to contribute in a valuable, transparent, and whole community way that improves the life of the people of Rah Island. For such a tiny island this is a huge investment in their children and a valuable foundation for the future of the community.
A very heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Children of Rah Education Fund. You are really helping to make a positive difference in this island's life.
VCT makes a donation to the fund for every night guests stay on Rah. It's our way of giving something back that will help the whole community for the long term.
Father Luke has proudly reported that this year the scholarship fund has sponsored 15 students to continue their education. 1 student to the municipal school, 1 to college, 3 to vocational school and 10 to secondary school.
The fund has been very popular with guests wishing to contribute in a valuable, transparent, and whole community way that improves the life of the people of Rah Island. For such a tiny island this is a huge investment in their children and a valuable foundation for the future of the community.
A very heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Children of Rah Education Fund. You are really helping to make a positive difference in this island's life.
VCT makes a donation to the fund for every night guests stay on Rah. It's our way of giving something back that will help the whole community for the long term.
Jewel of Rah article attracts yacht rally
The latest article published on Rah Island is "Jewel of Rah" for the Welkam magazine in Vanuatu. The magazine is similar to a free in-flight magazine and is distributed free to airlines, hotels, and tourism related businesses in Vanuatu.
A copy managed to find its way up to Rah Island. The response the community are very pleased with the piece which details their work to develop the very high professional tourism standards on Rah Island. Photos of Rah were featured on the front cover. The article has arrived at VCT and Simon is pleased to add the images to the website asap. To read the article you can click on the title of this blog and it will link you to the VCT webpage with the aritcle.
The article has also attracted other attention and as a result Father Luke is arranging with an Australian resident who lives part of the year on Aore Island to hold a yacht rally in June this year that will finish on Rah Island. If you would like more information on the yacht rally please contact simon@vanuatucustomtravel.com
A copy managed to find its way up to Rah Island. The response the community are very pleased with the piece which details their work to develop the very high professional tourism standards on Rah Island. Photos of Rah were featured on the front cover. The article has arrived at VCT and Simon is pleased to add the images to the website asap. To read the article you can click on the title of this blog and it will link you to the VCT webpage with the aritcle.
The article has also attracted other attention and as a result Father Luke is arranging with an Australian resident who lives part of the year on Aore Island to hold a yacht rally in June this year that will finish on Rah Island. If you would like more information on the yacht rally please contact simon@vanuatucustomtravel.com
World Bank visits Rah Island in February 2010
Father Luke has reported in from Rah that two representatives from the World Bank have visited Rah Island on Sunday February 21, 2010 to see how the community of Rah manages the self created micro-finance lending program.
The project was sensitively proposed, researched and finally initiated by guests of Vanuatu Custom Travel in association with the people of Rah Island and Simon Humphries from VCT. In 2009 the lending program loans to the Rah community of approx 600,000 vatu (approx $7,500 AUD).
The funds are being used to improve life on the island through funding small projects such as setting up a home bakery, buying bags of cement to finish off a guest bungalow, purchasing gardening equipment to assist with supplying food to the village and guests in the bungalows, purchasing materials to repair the outrigger canoe taxis, etc.
Apparently the World Bank representatives are doing a tour of Vanuatu to see how local communities run their finances. Father Luke is confident that they will be very impressed when the learn what Rah has achieved. It is quite an achievement for a locally developed project like this to be running smoothly and with success.
Father Luke says there are big things happening on Rah and is extremely grateful for Simon Humphries and the VCT project and guests for the benefits they have all brought to their little island.
A very special thank you to the generous assistance from guests to Rah who have contributed.
The project was sensitively proposed, researched and finally initiated by guests of Vanuatu Custom Travel in association with the people of Rah Island and Simon Humphries from VCT. In 2009 the lending program loans to the Rah community of approx 600,000 vatu (approx $7,500 AUD).
The funds are being used to improve life on the island through funding small projects such as setting up a home bakery, buying bags of cement to finish off a guest bungalow, purchasing gardening equipment to assist with supplying food to the village and guests in the bungalows, purchasing materials to repair the outrigger canoe taxis, etc.
Apparently the World Bank representatives are doing a tour of Vanuatu to see how local communities run their finances. Father Luke is confident that they will be very impressed when the learn what Rah has achieved. It is quite an achievement for a locally developed project like this to be running smoothly and with success.
Father Luke says there are big things happening on Rah and is extremely grateful for Simon Humphries and the VCT project and guests for the benefits they have all brought to their little island.
A very special thank you to the generous assistance from guests to Rah who have contributed.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Children of Rah Education Fund
Free education for Vanuatu primary school children from 2010.
Thank you to Marg for providing this information confirming a newspaper report we read on Mota Lava in July this year (2009).
"The Vanuatu Government has given an undertaking to introduce its free education policy from next year 2010.
In his budget speech yesterday in Parliament, Finance Minister Sela Molisa said he is working closely with the Minister for Education, Charlot Salwai in preparing for the introduction of this policy next year.
He said the government will be increasing school grants and phase out the contributions made by parents at the primary level of education."
It is unknown at this stage how quickly school fees will be phased out. When it does come through it looks like it will be for years 1 to 6 only.
The Children of Rah Education Fund will assist families where the greatest need is - for example helping students with their grade 6, 7, and high school studies. There are no high schools in the local region and students must move to Santo, Pentecost, Ambae or Port Vila to complete their high school education.
It costs approximately $66 AUD per year for school fees for children grades 1 to 6. I believe grades 7 and 8 are around $130 AUD per year. Highschool costs are approximately $660 AUD per year per student plus living expenses - which is a huge jump in fees for local villagers who have almost no source of vatu income.
Thank you to everyone who has travelled with Vanuatu Custom Travel. VCT makes a small donation per guest per day on the island. A big "Tankyu tumas" to the guests who have made additional contributions and also donated material supplies to the schools, kindergartens and medical clinics. Your assistance is greatly valued.
Keep posted to this blogsite for photos and stories from guests and their recent trips to Rah Island.
Lemtapnua.
Lukim yufella.
Simon.
Thank you to Marg for providing this information confirming a newspaper report we read on Mota Lava in July this year (2009).
"The Vanuatu Government has given an undertaking to introduce its free education policy from next year 2010.
In his budget speech yesterday in Parliament, Finance Minister Sela Molisa said he is working closely with the Minister for Education, Charlot Salwai in preparing for the introduction of this policy next year.
He said the government will be increasing school grants and phase out the contributions made by parents at the primary level of education."
It is unknown at this stage how quickly school fees will be phased out. When it does come through it looks like it will be for years 1 to 6 only.
The Children of Rah Education Fund will assist families where the greatest need is - for example helping students with their grade 6, 7, and high school studies. There are no high schools in the local region and students must move to Santo, Pentecost, Ambae or Port Vila to complete their high school education.
It costs approximately $66 AUD per year for school fees for children grades 1 to 6. I believe grades 7 and 8 are around $130 AUD per year. Highschool costs are approximately $660 AUD per year per student plus living expenses - which is a huge jump in fees for local villagers who have almost no source of vatu income.
Thank you to everyone who has travelled with Vanuatu Custom Travel. VCT makes a small donation per guest per day on the island. A big "Tankyu tumas" to the guests who have made additional contributions and also donated material supplies to the schools, kindergartens and medical clinics. Your assistance is greatly valued.
Keep posted to this blogsite for photos and stories from guests and their recent trips to Rah Island.
Lemtapnua.
Lukim yufella.
Simon.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Welcome to the "Friends of Rah" Blog
Lemtapnuae!
Welcome to the blogsite for "Friends of Rah" Island in in north of Vanuatu in the South Pacific.
This blogsite has been set up at the request of a number of visitors to Rah Island who would like a way to connect with other guests, to share stories, ask questions, and share photos.
When you sign on if you wish to remain anonymous your details will not be shown and you will not appear as a "memeber".
This site has been set up by Simon Humphries, the creator of the small specialist travel company Vanuatu Custom Travel. (www.vanuatucustomtravel.com)
If anyone has any recommendations for web based photo album sites so we can share our photos (or an alternate blog site that can do both) please post a blog here to let us know.
Feel free to use this site to share your wonderful experiences and also to discuss community projects.
For further details about visiting this very special island community in Vanuatu please email info@vanuatucustomtravel.com
Tankyu tumas and lukim yu!
Welcome to the blogsite for "Friends of Rah" Island in in north of Vanuatu in the South Pacific.
This blogsite has been set up at the request of a number of visitors to Rah Island who would like a way to connect with other guests, to share stories, ask questions, and share photos.
When you sign on if you wish to remain anonymous your details will not be shown and you will not appear as a "memeber".
This site has been set up by Simon Humphries, the creator of the small specialist travel company Vanuatu Custom Travel. (www.vanuatucustomtravel.com)
If anyone has any recommendations for web based photo album sites so we can share our photos (or an alternate blog site that can do both) please post a blog here to let us know.
Feel free to use this site to share your wonderful experiences and also to discuss community projects.
For further details about visiting this very special island community in Vanuatu please email info@vanuatucustomtravel.com
Tankyu tumas and lukim yu!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)