Vanuatu Marine Life School Assistance Program
Several years ago I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to
once again visit Vanuatu and the result of this was to realise that the school kids and diving community could also benefit from the school assistance program.
As a member of Project AWARE Asia Pacific's Honorary Board of Governors
I thought it would be a good chance to include what materials were available in the book back packs and obtained Project AWARE posters, brochures, booklets
and DVDs from the AWARE Kids programme and their other
educational campaigns for donations.
Donna LLwell handing over a selection of donated books to one of the
school representatives on behalf of myself, Project AWARE and
WANTOK ENVIRONMENT CENTRE.
During my 2004 visit to Santo I stayed at Deco Stop Lodge
and met proprietor Cathie de Koeyer who put me in touch with Donna Llewell, education officer of the Wantok Environment Centre (WTEC).
Wantok Environment Centre has five schools in their
educational program and they had very little marine life resources.
Two large boxes containing five sets of books, together with
Project AWARE materials were sent off and received by Donna.
Wantok Environment Centre paid for the freight.
A collaborative effort between Project AWARE Asia Pacific, the dive industry's leading non-profit environmental organization, and Wantok Environment
Centre in Santo, Vanuatu has been marked by the donation of marine
conservation books to five primary schools in the Luganville area.
Wantok is a non-Government environmental organisation
which delivers technical support and services to communities directly
involved in the conservation of Vanuatu's wildlife, ecosystems
and the sustainable management of natural and physical resources.
Project AWARE joined hands with Wantok under an environmental education project. The project has included student field activities to give children practical environmental knowledge and experience outside of the classroom.
Over 420 students have participated in the field activities which addressed
various environmental issues including marine conservation,
pollution,reforestation and nature conservation.
The donations of marine conservation books
from Project AWARE and Mr Neville Coleman have become
a real complement to the field activities where students
visited the coastal marine area and participated in foreshore clean-ups.
Previously, the five primary schools concerned had very limited if no up-to-date material and library resources concerning the marine environment.
RESULTS
We have now established an excellent understanding between
Wantok Environment Centre, myself - World of Water and Project AWARE.
As such, our initial program can be expanded and implemented.
Teachers wrote some letters and the kids sent thank you cards.
All this is the most fantastic response ever, and I will be presenting more of their efforts in Dive Log and other dive magazines to show what can be done in the fields of environmental awareness and education with just a little encouragement,
some funding and dedicated, caring people.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Donna Llewell and all the personnel at
Wantok Environment Centre, teachers, kids and families who
bring encouragement to us all that education is the key to the future.
I think you have all done a brilliant job!
I feel sure that myself and Project AWARE Asia/Pacific will be able to come
up with some more ways to help you all to continue your
Adventures in Learning and conservation efforts in the future.
Special thanks to Cathie de Koeyer, Nautilus Dive,
Allan Power, Hideaway Island management and personnel.
About Project AWARE
Project AWARE is the dive industry's leading non-profit
environmental organisation dedicated to conserving
underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.
Project AWARE Foundation offices located in Australia, United States,
Japan, the United Kingdom and Switzerland combine efforts to
conserve aquatic resources in 175 countries of the world.
For further information visit
www.projectaware.org