May 2024 Mental Health Webinar

 The Ripple Effect of Community Partnership: Delivering Hundreds of Books to a Remote School in Papua New Guinea

The impact of one book on a community is incalculable. But what about 400? Over a two-year process, Melanesian Women Today has diligently worked to provide an essential resource to a small, remote school of Papua New Guinea. Books are a key component to literacy, education, and emotional intelligence; when inaccessible literature becomes an obstacle, how do we combat it? 

In 2020, Odyssey Middle School on Bainbridge Island became involved in what would become an exemplary service project aimed to fill the The Kelkei Elementary and Adult Literacy school’s community library and bolster its low literacy rates. The passion for this project came out of the classroom of 7th and 8th graders who imagined how students, like themselves, lacked the novels, fiction, fantasy, poetry, and stories that enriched their everyday lives. 

The literacy rate in Papua New Guinea is an estimated 62%, which means that a large portion of the population faces the challenges that come with illiteracy. Illiteracy remains a global issue that further impoverishes communities and perpetuates a cycle of low education investments that result in weak employment, health, and development infrastructure. In contrast, the correlation between literacy and higher standards of living is undeniable. Melanesian Women Today continues to think globally about why tackling illiteracy should be an international priority, while choosing to act locally by partnering with Kelkei. 

The school is part of the Jiwaka Province, with around 300,000 inhabitants, and a rich history of indigenous culture and language (over 800!). This province of Papua New Guinea represents a diverse, historically self-sufficient way of life which has recovered from colonial rule but still struggles from lack of crucial resources, especially regarding education. 

The call to action spread across Bainbridge in a successful book drive. The book drive took place in February and March of 2020 and accumulated a collection of 379 books, but the momentum to send them to the school was at an impasse by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The hundreds of books and the library project were temporarily immobilized by the complications that the pandemic brought. But after a full year, the teachers and students were ready to resume the project in a creative, unexpected way. 

Heather Visser, an Odyssey parent connected the service project with Holland America Cruise Line who agreed to deliver the books to Papua New Guinea free of charge. The unlikely collaboration allowed the hundreds of pounds of books to be transported, a task that had proven to be increasingly challenging before the generous agreement. The image taken of dozens of boxes of books being rolled onto the ship, the students and volunteers following their journey in the background, invokes the satisfying feeling of movement regained, of one community responding to the needs of another.

The Kelkei School library aimed to serve as a buoy of connection to the world outside of the remote community; how invaluable is a hub of education for a place with sparse television, internet and sporadic access to global news? When a communal effort to build a library to support the school was successful- the community now faced a new problem- what was a library with no books? The book project coordinator that MWT would later work with was struggling to acquire the funds and contributions to fill the library. This was the point where Meré Sovick, founder of Melanesian Women Today, was contacted by a small elementary school seeking books, and became inspired to get involved. Reaching out was the first step to the relationship Bainbridge and Kelkei forged, of students to students, and school to school.

The school is located in the western highlands of the province, a largely inaccessible, mountainous-terrain. The complex topography of the region restricts many of the rural schools from receiving sufficient learning resources- the reason why Kelkei’s library was empty. At the same time, the country of Papua New Guinea, although a resource-rich country, almost 40 percent of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) population lives in poverty and has been imperiled by climate change and for this reason, projects like MWT’s that encourage visibility for vibrant communities in need of support are important.  

 When the project was finally able to restart again post-covid quarantine, a new group of students was excited to be involved. After the books were able to be transported from Washington to Alotau, more transportation goodwill came from Air Niugini, the local airline, agreeing to fly the crates to Lae, another Papua New Guinea city. From Lae, the books still had a long way to go through the elevated terrain before reaching the school's library.  Pauline Woti, Director of Kelkei Elementary and Adult Literacy School and her husband John committed to driving the books themselves. It took 7 hours. 

When their truck arrived at the loading station, they were greeted by the village and many mothers of the students, who hand-transported the boxes all the way to the school. Barefoot, they walked the boxes and their books to their new home.  

When the books finally arrived, there was a perspective of dominos falling: the cruise line, the airline, the long drive, the peoples trek, all to replete the walls of the Kelkei school Library, all to strengthen and restore local literacy and learning through reading. Méré describes it as a ripple effect: “It had an effect on the students, but also on the many people who got involved because they too wanted to help. The ripple effect can be felt by the village of Kendeng where the school is. They have been so impacted by this project that they are planning a huge event that will bring people together from nearby villages to celebrate.” The joy of the community was shared by the group of hardworking students at Odyssey, who were able to see the journey of the books come to completion. 

The work to ensure that schools in less visible parts of the world receive the resources they need is not over, and to address this, we need partnership. Often we will find that our most valuable resource is each other. 

Story By Sayia McElderry

“The official handing over ceremony marks not only a milestone for our school but a catalyst for change in our community.” Pauline Woti

Read more about the handing over of the books and report from founder and School Secretary, Mrs. Pauline Woti here

 Papua New Guinea Book Project

Celebrate Women’s Achievements. Raise Awareness Against Bias. Take Action For Equality

Let’s celebrate our Female Trailblazers!

In honor of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th and Women’s History Month; the community of Melanesian Women Today (MWT) joined the global community by honoring the contributions of our personal trailblazers who have inspired, motivated, and helped us and our community to grow! “It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethic, linguistic, cultural. Economic or political.” 

It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political.

Source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day

Theme

The United Nations’ theme for this year's observance is 'Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow' in recognition and celebration of the women and girls who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation and response and to honor their leadership and contribution towards a sustainable future.

IWD 2022 campaign theme #BreakTheBias

This year's International Women's Day campaign theme is Break The Bias. The theme highlights the importance of a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. 

Each one of our four female trailblazers have shown bravery and took action for equality and raised awareness against bias. 

We encourage our community to observe and celebrate the countless and sometimes nameless women who have contributed to our organization as well as other communities, organizations, and entities around the world to break biases, stereotypes and discriminations. In times, when women are advancing in every field, it is still crucial to celebrate this day with the same spirit. Read here to know the history, theme of this year, significance and all other details about International Women's Day. Read here to know the history, theme of this year, significance and all other details about International Women's Day.

Women’s History Month - “Proving Healing, Promoting Hope” 

The 2022 Women's History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers like our four selected female trailblazers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.

Women's History Month is a national celebration to celebrate women’s contributions to history, culture and society and achievements throughout the month of March. The celebration coincides with International Women’s Day, a global celebration that takes place on March 8th annually. As part of the celebration MWT is recognizing achievements in our community and sharing their stories related to Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month 2022 takes place on Tuesday, March 1-Thursday, March 31, 2022.

MWT Proudly partners with:

ABOUT THE MWT NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT PROGRM

Melanesian Women Today coordinators decided to establish our own nuclear disarmament program to support efforts in the Pacific to lobby every government to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). We are an indigenous Pacific group working to uplift the voices of indigenous anti-nuclear weapons advocates from around the region. 

Misson:

Our mission is to help Pacific Islanders speak and write about the importance of banning nuclear weapons through workshops and information sessions, raise awareness about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) through community engagement and lobby our governments to join the TPNW with marketing and communications campaigns in the Pacific region.

Goals:

Through this program, we hope to engage and encourage indigenous Pacific Islanders to become good public speakers, writers, and activists on issues that impact Pacific people.

PARTNERSHIP WITH ICAN

We have signed up to partner with ICAN in order to participate in the campaigns of eliminating nuclear weapons through the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

ICAN is the biggest nonprofit working in the nuclear disarmament space. They focus on mobilizing civil society around the globe to support the specific objective of prohibiting and eliminating nuclear weapons. Their organization and advocacy around the world made it possible for the UN to develop and establish the TPNW and host the First Meeting of State Parties in Vienna, Austria.

HOW WILL THIS PROGRAM BENEFIT THE VOLUNTEERS OF MWT?

• This program will offer volunteers a way to learn about government policies, how they affect their lives and how they can lobby their governments to change policies.

• It will also encourage volunteers to become better writers and public speakers so they can express their concerns about the political situation in the Pacific region and become involved in creating change.

• This program will also offer travel opportunities for Islanders who may not receive these benefits outside of the program.

• It will be an educational program for volunteers who hope to become researchers or academics. 

WHY MWT JOINED THIS SPACE?

While visiting Vienna, I learned that many Pacific Islanders were taken advantage of on a regular basis by big international nonprofits. These nonprofits gave their volunteers little to no money for their trip which put them in situations where they had little or no food, no transportation to and from venues and no way of contacting people for help while overseas. When MWT joins this space, we will make it safer for Islanders to travel overseas for these amazing opportunities that can offer them jobs, fellowships and research grants. 

READ MORE …

Solomon Island Girls Scholarship Project 2021

Barely one in ten girls graduate high school, yet the barriers can be overcome.

Only 7% of girls in the Solomon Islands graduate from high school,making it the lowest rate in the world. This shocking statistic is appalling and quite frankly, not right! According to a recent study conducted by the Lowy Institute in early 2019, the number one barrier identified for this predicament was the lack of funding to pay for school fees since free high school education is not an option in the Solomon Islands. Despite the 2009, Fee Free Basic Education policy, the government of the Solomon Islands does not provide for senior secondary schooling (years 10-12). Another barrier identified is discrimination against girls who become pregnant is followed by deeply entrenched gender inequality.

Gender inequality is another prevailing issue that is a contributing factor to why it is so hard for girls and young women in Solomon Islands to complete high school. This is particularly concerning in places where traditional roles are considered a high priority for girls and young women to abide by. While boy’s education is valued, girls are expected to be subservient to their traditional roles as caretakers of their homes, and eventually become a wife and mother. 

As a result, there is a huge drop in the number of girls completing their high school education. It is a well known fact that girls across the Solomon Islands are acutely aware of their education being a financial burden to their families. A poverty profile study of the Solomon Islands published in 2012-2013 shows 66% of households find it difficult to afford school fees.

What can Melanesian Women Today do?

MWT has begun fundraising to pay for school fees for girls as a scholarship program for girls at Auki Community High School in Malaita Province. School fees range from $1000 to $3000 Solomon Island dollars ($120 to $360 US Dollars) for a full year’s tuition.

MWT has teamed up with the 7th and 8th grade students from Odyssey Middle School on Bainbridge Island, WA USA for a fundraiser to pay for school fees.

Making a difference in the life of even one girl has an impact, but we would like to sponsor as many as 10 if possible before the 2022 school year begins in February. 

• 12-16-2021 We have raised $1660 dollars so far through donations and wonderful sales by students in the parking lot of Odyssey. The store is now open and sales are welcome for scholarships, face masks, t shirts, and hoodies.

• 12-3-2021 We have raised 154 dollars through online donations and a wonderful student who took initiative and sold jewelry on the weekend.

Vanuatu Business Research

 The Vanuatu business research project is a replication of Dr. Mere Tari Sovick’s doctoral research where she investigated what makes women business owners successful. The research focusses on constraints that prevent women from being successful and how successful women business owners overcome those constraints. The research is ongoing and it is qualitative which means it is designed for discovery. The results of the research will lead to understanding how women are successful and the aim is to then use the newly gained knowledge to train other women to be successful entrepreneurs.

Vanuatu Mamas’ English Class

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Founded in September 2014

MISSION

The VMEC plans to start classes in villages all over Vanuatu. It is our vision that there will be at least one book in every home, a good student reading that book and confident parents helping that child to become the leader they were meant to be.

ABOUT

The VMEC is an adult literacy program designed to educate and empower women in order to reach the family and community as a whole. On this page you will find posts in both English and Bislama two of the three official national languages of Vanuatu.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The VMEC is an adult literacy program focused on empowering women. Using games, songs and stories the VMEC encourages the whole family to participate in literacy learning. We are currently preparing for our third session. After having completed two smaller session with 23 women we are now ready to expand the program to gather an appropriate sample size to determine the validity and direction of the program. The first and second VMEC graduates are still extremely active with the organization and are currently working on two projects for VMEC the first community literacy awareness programs and a the second organizing teachers assistant program in the local kindergarten. The graduates are still using information learned in class to support their children and grandchildren at home.

 Early Childhood Education

Etas Village, Vanuatu

Program Overview

Etas, in urban Port Vila is currently home to 600 people.  It is also the site for dumping of all garbage from the Port Vila municipality and surrounding villages.

This government-owned land is occupied by a diverse range of tenants from islands across Vanuatu who are seeking employment in the urban capital, Port Vila.  Homes have been built and subsistence vegetable gardens planted, however, with the increasing cost of living and the shortage of land for gardening, finding a means for survival is becoming increasingly difficult.

There are no government schools and no water available for the residents. Residents regularly search the garbage dump for food and other resources because they have no other means.

Melam Preschool is located in the village of Etas on the island of Efate in Vanuatu. A community woman recognized the need for a preschool and has started one. The preschool is completely underfunded and has very little resources. MWT recognizes this as an opportunity to step in and be a help to boost this program and impact the lives of the children. The school needs material resources and also technical expertise and could benefit from a lasting partnership with another preschool. This model will ensure dual benefits for both the children of Melam and also children from the partner school. The school year begins in February for them. This project is a community effort that involves not only Melanesian Women Today, but also several youth groups and local churches based in Vanuatu.

MWT is in the midst of working with a preschool in the United States to partner with Melam Preschool to help raise funds and obtain resources for Melam. This page will be updated when the partnership is finalized and we have a plan moving forward.

Special Thanks for this project goes to:

Legacy church members Douglas Bovu, Janet Bovu and family, Danstan Lockvaro, Kathrina Bule and Family, Judith Rau and son (Joren Bovu), Will Avlons and Family, Nancy and Family, Torika Kalman, Tasha Kalman, Kalman Norman, Champlin Tari, Aspinal Tari, Ben Bule, Jocelyn Bule, Selwyn George, Harriet Bule, Nitza George, Arnold Bani, and Kiara Bani. In Port Vila we have to thank members of the Centerville Church, Florence Bule, Kinda Kalman, Serean George, Junior Remy, James Karu, and Jewelle Maximo.

During the 2016-17 School Year

The Odyssey 7-8's raised over $2000 US Dollars and accomplished something that we didn't think was possible.

You built a house! 

Here is former Peace Corps Volunteer and Project Manager Dawna Horton with a message for you.  

Photos from the Construction

Now for the 2017-18 School Year

Vanuatu, an archipelago located in the South Pacific, is a country rich in natural resources, surrounded by the vastness of the Pacific ocean and shaped by the active volcanoes of the ring of fire. More than 80 inhabited islands bring together their custom and culture to make this tiny island nation a unique and wonderful place to live and learn. For centuries the people of Vanuatu have survived by adapting the ingenuity and perseverance of our ancestors to the changing world around us, with more than 86 spoken languages and a proven aptitude for language learning the Vanuatu Mamas’ English Class is inspiring the people of this country to add another language.

It is the belief of the Vanuatu Mamas’ English Class Founders and Leadership that English Literacy is a resource to help Ni-Vanuatu to take part in a global exchange. The Vanuatu Mamas’ English Class also recognizes that women in particular suffer when literacy rates are low and education is not a priority.

Therefore the VMEC family; our students, teachers, leadership, founders and the men in our lives; all work for the achievement of four goals:

• Provide women with the building blocks for English Literacy
• Empower women to take leadership roles in their village and beyond
• Encourage women to create a time and space for English literacy in the home
• Increase women’s knowledge of the English Language

We are often asked about our focus on women and to those questions we respond that women are disproportionately affected by oppression and abuse. Women are only about half the world population, but they represent two-thirds of all illiterate adults. Further, in Vanuatu Women are the main caregivers in the family and best suited to share the information gained in during the program. We are starting with women, so that any expansion to serve all gender does so to benefit not harm the women’s rights movement in Vanuatu and regionally.

It is also important to us that we partner with like-minded organizations and that is why we are so glad to have the support and enthusiasm of Melanesian Women Today (MWT) behind us, as we raise funds to increase adult literacy in Vanuatu and elevate the status of Ni-Vanuatu women. With the help of MWT we were able to connect with a group of unique champions for global development, from Bainbridge Island’s Odyssey Middle School. These innovated students have raised funds to help us build a small custom house made of local materials to hold our classes in after cyclone Pam badly damaged out previous location. These young innovative leaders will also help us to build a VIP toilet and hand washing station so that VMEC can be a model for future generation in literacy and water secure sanitation. We are grateful for their commitment as it leaves us free to focus on fundraising efforts for the program itself.

Our $10,000 goal will allow us to support and train teachers on 4 different islands for a total of 20 classes, our program is new, but we are already seeing in major gains in the literacy awareness and confidence of the women we serve. With your help we will expand our reach and touch the lives of rural women throughout Vanuatu. As our moto states “Reading is power, power for growth!” and we intend to grow as an organization and a movement throughout Vanuatu and one day the Pacific.

Thank you for believing in us and supporting our goals.

Donations during the 2017-18 School year will support the following:

 Odyssey Student Led Service Learning Project

The Solomon Islands Girls Scholarship Project

Empowering Girls Through Education

Leah is an 8th Grade student at Auki Community High School in Auki, Malaita, Solomon Islands. She is a great student and loves going to school. She looks forward to a future where she can contribute to her community as an educated adult. Watch the video below to learn about Leah’s story and why it is so hard for girls, especially in the Solomon Islands, to graduate from high school.

Last year the students of Odyssey were able to raise enough money to sponsor 10 girls for full scholarships for the entire year.

Meet some of the students working hard this year to make sure those girls continue their education.

Visit our online Store

Our Store is open for business and all purchases go 100% to the Solomon Island’s Girls Scholarship Program.

Solomon Island Girls Scholarship Project 2022

Barely one in ten girls graduate high school, yet the barriers can be overcome.

Only 7% of girls in the Solomon Islands graduate from high school,making it the lowest rate in the world. This shocking statistic is appalling and quite frankly, not right! According to a recent study conducted by the Lowy Institute in early 2019, the number one barrier identified for this predicament was the lack of funding to pay for school fees since free high school education is not an option in the Solomon Islands. Despite the 2009, Fee Free Basic Education policy, the government of the Solomon Islands does not provide for senior secondary schooling (years 10-12). Another barrier identified is discrimination against girls who become pregnant is followed by deeply entrenched gender inequality.

Gender inequality is another prevailing issue that is a contributing factor to why it is so hard for girls and young women in Solomon Islands to complete high school. This is particularly concerning in places where traditional roles are considered a high priority for girls and young women to abide by. While boy’s education is valued, girls are expected to be subservient to their traditional roles as caretakers of their homes, and eventually become a wife and mother. 

As a result, there is a huge drop in the number of girls completing their high school education. It is a well known fact that girls across the Solomon Islands are acutely aware of their education being a financial burden to their families. A poverty profile study of the Solomon Islands published in 2012-2013 shows 66% of households find it difficult to afford school fees.

What can Melanesian Women Today do?

MWT has begun fundraising to pay for school fees for girls as a scholarship program for girls at Auki Community High School in Malaita Province. School fees range from $1000 to $3000 Solomon Island dollars ($120 to $360 US Dollars) for a full year’s tuition.

MWT has teamed up with the 7th and 8th grade students from Odyssey Middle School on Bainbridge Island, WA USA for a fundraiser to pay for school fees.

Making a difference in the life of even one girl has an impact, but we would like to sponsor as many as 10 if possible before the 2023 school year begins in February. 

• 11-11-2022 Students met and learned about the Solomon Islands

• 11-18-2022 Students learned about the Well Being Indicators and started making plans

• 12-2-2022 Students learned about One Call for All and finalized plans for fundraising.

Odyssey 7-8 Service Learning Project

Solomon Island Girls Scholarship Project

Barely one in ten girls graduate high school, yet the barriers can be overcome.

Help us support girls in the Solomon Islands

Melanesian Women Today is raising money with Odyssey Kids to pay school fees for girls unable to go to school in the Solomon Islands, and your donations can help!

We have identified 7 girls at Auki Community High School on the island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands who are in need of a scholarship to continue their education. Of these 7 girls 3 are in 7th grade, 3 are in 8th grade, and 1 is in 10th grade. The amounts of the scholarships vary by year but the 7th and 8th graders each need $73 US Dollars for the entire school year and the 10th Grader needs $170 US Dollars for the entire school year. All together this totals $608 dollars and when you add in fees for banking, and administration costs 700 to 800 dollars would easily cover all tuition and expenses but most importantly allow the girls to continue their education.

Here are the Girls in need of Scholarships

(Click the photo to enlarge)

The Solomon Islands is a collection of islands and students do not always attend their local schools. Often students attend schools on other islands depending on where seats are available and also the quality of schools available. In the pictures above Vill stands for Village and Ethnicity is the tribe the student is from. Lastly the Province is comparable to our states in the USA. A very important point to mention about Malaita province is the struggle that women and girls face there is fierce and even more difficult than the rest of the country. This is because of the traditional beliefs and customs of this part of the Solomon Islands.

Program Overview

Only 7% of girls in the Solomon Islands graduate from high school, making it the lowest rate in the world. This shocking statistic is appalling and quite frankly, not right! According to a recent study conducted by the Lowy Institute (https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/chance-step-support-girls-education-solomon-islands) in early 2019, the number one barrier identified for this predicament was the lack of funding to pay for school fees since free high school education is not an option in the Solomon Islands. Despite the 2009, Fee Free Basic Education policy, the government of the Solomon Islands does not provide for senior secondary schooling (years 10-12). Another barrier identified is discrimination against girls who become pregnant is followed by deeply entrenched gender inequality.

Gender inequality is another prevailing issue that is a contributing factor to why it is so hard for girls and young women in Solomon Islands to complete high school. This is particularly concerning in places where traditional roles are considered a high priority for girls and young women to abide by. While boy’s education is valued, girls are expected to be subservient to their traditional roles as caretakers of their homes, and eventually become a wife and mother.

As a result, there is a huge drop in the number of girls completing their high school education. It is a well known fact that girls across the Solomon Islands are acutely aware of their education being a financial burden to their families. A poverty profile study of the Solomon Islands published in 2012-2013 shows 66% of households find it difficult to afford school fees.

WHAT CAN MELANESIAN WOMEN TODAY DO?

MWT has begun fundraising to pay for school fees for girls as a scholarship program for girls at Auki Community High School in Malaita Province. School fees range from $1000 to $3000 Solomon Island dollars ($120 to $360 US Dollars) for a full year’s tuition. MWT has teamed up with the 7th and 8th grade students from Odyssey Middle School on Bainbridge Island, WA USA for a fundraiser to pay for school fees. Making a difference in the life of even one girl has an impact, but we would like to sponsor as many as 10 if possible before the 2020 school year begins in February.  

Friends of the Nation Youth

Program Overview

The Friends of the Nation Library Project is aimed at building a library for the community on the island of Matoso which is part of the Shepherd group of islands off the north coast of Efate in Vanuatu. The project has land and architectural plans for a new library building. The community has need for a library which can serve as not only a resource for books but also as a community education center. Furthermore, the community would like to stock the shelves and also hire a librarian. MWT would like volunteers to help with fundraising and to travel to Mataso to help build a new library. MWT will work with volunteers to coordinate fundraising, then travel with a group to Mataso to help in the building process. Volunteers who travel to Vanuatu can also bring books. We are targeting July of 2021 to travel and build the library.

Vision:

Championing Change, Changing Lives, Changing Communities.

Mission Statement:

Friends of the Nation is a group of young people whose mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals through education and health services.
Our work is to develop young Leaders with good moral values by creating an educational environment that stimulates creative mindset in all the communities and islands of Vanuatu.

We pursue this mission through an integrated, holistic commitment by:

Transformational Development: Strengthening community development projects through literacy.

Communication: Promote engagement and dialog between communities that results in communities having a strong sense of control over their environment.

Productive Trainings: Empowering young leaders to be educational assets within the communities.

Goal

Mitigate Illiteracy in Vanuatu by developing a strong educational environment through books and other forms of information technology. Together we build a healthier, a wealthier, a more developed, a safer, and a more inclusive society.

Current Project Outcomes

Outcome 1 - Build a library on the island of Mataso

Outcome 2 - Train a librarian to staff the library

Outcome 3 - Build capacity for literacy programs

 Takuu Library Project

Program Overview

The Atoll Islands, north of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, remain the most isolated and disadvantaged communities in the country. In spite of the Atoll islands being rich with an abundance of cash crops, marine products, and other resources that can stimulate social and economic activities, existing infrastructure has aged and deteriorated, along with no health infrastructure (no aid post building), services have worsened and more additional problems have surfaced due to the ongoing effects of climate change on the islands. Takuu, or Mortlock Island, is one of the atolls, and it has been hit hard by some of the most damaging effects of climate change. Takuu is located about 250 kilometers/155 miles east of Buka, the main town in Bougainville, and has a population of roughly four hundred people. Residents and school kids there have relied on a library as their community resource, but their library was devastated when a king tide swept it away. It had been a vital feature of the community since the 1960s. The community has no internet access or mobile phone service which has meant their reliance on the library is even more essential. The community has been working to re-establish its library. Its primary school was built in 1965, and the school had a standalone library building with close to 8,000 books ranging from encyclopedias, maps and atlases, fiction and nonfiction, chemistry, agriculture, science, mathematics, journals, laws, novels, and various other categories. The library was a historical landmark for the people of Mortlock Island for over forty-eight years. Even with wear and tear on the books, the local islanders took great care, and looked after the library as an important asset for the people on the island. For over 45 years, it was a valuable source of learning and knowledge building for the school children in Takuu. This is evident as Mortlock or Takuu Island is known for its intellectuals, and has produced some of the best academic results in the country over the years. It is a remote atoll, yet it has produced global leaders covering almost all aspects of careers in different fields of expertise that are working within the country and abroad such as Lawyers, Doctors, Psychologists, Geologists, CEO’s, Economists, Engineers, Lecturers, Professors, Accountants, Captains/Mariners, Pilots, Departmental Secretaries, Entrepreneurs, Analysts, Auditors, Financial Advisors, Teachers, Nurses, Managers in all positions and more. Sadly, from 2010 until 2019, the number of students moving from high school to college has severely dropped with almost no one going on for further education beyond high school. This is partly due to having a poor library, which was the main source of education. The library was the substitute for the internet as it contained a wealth of knowledge for school children to access anytime. Even the community benefited from it, as the atoll island was often completely cut off from the rest of the world, due to poor communication links. Thus there is an urgent need to rebuild, restock, and to restore this important facility. MWT is working with 7th and 8th graders at Odyssey Middle School on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, USA to conduct a book drive and to help restock the library. Students will be collecting books and fundraising to pay for shipping to transport the books to Takuu. Restocking the Takuu library means the community can once again have a place to go for knowledge and other community resources.

UPDATES

March-9-2020 - The Odyssey students have written to and spoken on the phone with the local Rotary Club to ask for funding. The proposal will be presented to the Rotary of Bainbridge Island on Thursday night. The books weigh 150 pounds and we are calculating shipping to get to Buka, Papua New Guinea.

March-6-2020 - So far students have collected 379 books to be shipped. The students have reached out to the US Embassy in Papua New Guinea but have not had a response. The students have also reached out to Bainbridge Island rotary and have a phone conference on Monday March 9 with the director of youth grants.

February 28-2020 - Students have collected 243 books so far and are still excited to collect more. An email was sent out to the entire school community to ask for more books to be donated and collected in order to stock the library. We expect a big return.

February 21-2020 - The project is off and running with a group of students who are dedicated to collecting books and searching for or fundraising for money to ship the collected books to Takuu.

Donate

Where is Takuu, Papua New Guinea?

 Mom & Newborn Baby Kits

Program Overview

The chance of a newborn dying is up to 50 times greater in the world’s riskiest places to give birth than those of the safest places. Across the Pacific, newborn mortality rates remain a serious concern. Nearly 1,700 children under the age of five years-old died in the Pacific in 2016. More than 80% of those children died within their first year of life and half of those children died in their first 28 days. Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have some of the highest death rates of newborns.

According to UNICEF Pacfic, one in 43 babies born in PNG does not survive and one in 85 in Vanuatu and in Fiji one in 114. 

Mother and child health as a key indicator of community welfare is measured by the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and across Melanesia, mothers and their newborn babies need help to begin their lives anew in a way that gives the newborn babies a chance for survival and most success as possible.

 One way to help newborn babies be successful is to provide them with supplies and provide the mom with knowledge. MWT aims to build kits and distribute them to hospitals in the regional centers like Suva, Port Vila, Honiara, and Port Moresby. The materials provided will be the local language and materials will be sustainable. The kits will be provided at the hospitals straight to the mothers with the intention of helping both mom and baby on their way to healthy living.