APRIL 2017 1

Letter from
the Editor
Frances is a Literacy Project volunteer serving on Efate
Island. She enjoys graphic design, really good food,
table of contents
welcome to g29 from PCVLs
new beginnings
april 2017
4
really bad puns, reading excessively, and watching her
cat eat lizards. vanam survey 5
Advice for G29 + What weve learned
First off, I want to give a warm welcome to the
newest members of our cohort - G29! Not to be too
Who is Teruko? 6-7
cheesy about it, but you are all in for a life-changing
An interview with PCVs CD, Kelly Cullen
experience here in Vanuatu. The theme of this issue is
New Beginnings. For incoming G29, it is definitely
g28 PC Vanuatu Profiles 8 - 15
The vanam
a whirlwind of new everything - experiences, friends,
food, language, culture, weather and simply life in
general. For staff, it is the start of Country Director extendee pc vanuatu profiles 16 - 17
staff Kelly Cullens time here in Vanuatu. For G28, it seems
more like a middle than a beginning, but this is the response pc Vanuatu profiles 18 - 19
FRANCES C. beginning of our second, and potentially last, year as
Editor-in-Chief & PCVs in Vanuatu (and what a bittersweet realization not yet the end 20
Graphic Designer that is!). For extendees, it may be the beginning
Literacy Project of an exciting new role in a new place and though let girls learn press release 21
Efate Island you are very much seasoned by now, you are most
likely playing in a totally new ballpark. For G27ers/ things you cant learn in pst 22
extendees who are heading home, it is the beginning
of your long-awaited RPCV life (congrats!!!). And
smoke in the night 23
finally, for the VanAm, it is the start of a brand new
G28 staff. I am hopeful the VanAm staff and I will be
able to produce relevant and entertaining material for
Inclusion group 24 - 25
NATALIE F. your perusal while you are sweating in your hammock
Illustrator somewhere in these beautiful, but cruelly humid, gad updates 26 - 31
Literacy Project islands.
Nguna Island three really useful apps 32
Personally, it is difficult to comprehend that I (and the
rest of G28) am finally/already in the midst of service.
*cover by Natalie With MST quickly receding as G29s PST begins with
the ultimate e-book stash 33
a flourish, I cant help but to feel nostalgic as I think
back on our own PST - the brutally humid sunny days, Ode to matthew 34
the struggles entailed in learning Bislama, the tedium Up North Aaron (Mackinaw Fudge)
of afternoon sessions, the challenges of growing
accustomed to village life, and so much more. Yet aelan kuk buk 35 - 37
NICK H. despite the hardships of PST, its truly an incredible
Staff Writer experience that will spark your love affair with this crafting with carl 38 - 39
Community Health incredible country.
Vanua Lava Island
I hope that whatever you are at the start of, you take se wanem?! 40
the time to slow down and pause, even if for a second,
to really breathe in and appreciate this very moment advert: wan smolbag guest teacher 41
because youre never going to have another one like
it. Live it up, love every moment (especially the tough word search 42
ones), and most importantly, stay happy, my friends!
for funsies! 43
2 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 3
HELLO G29! a brief welcome from
our pcvls to our newest pcvs!
vanam survey
Hello G29. My name is Laura Loveland and I am a
third year volunteer Peace Corps Volunteer Leader laura l.
(PCVL). Welcome to the Happiest Place on Earth, aka malekula island

what advice would you give to g29 vols?

pcvl
paradise. We are all very happy and excited to greet
you. Youll soon find that Vanuatu is a magical place
with new experiences and adventures to be had around every corner. I fall in love with
Snorkel!!!! Dont drink the kool aid.
this place over and over again every day. Your experience begins with the first 11 weeks
Punjas breakfast crackers are better than Dont cry over spilled grated coconut.
being spent in PST, and for me, it has been one of the hardest times of service. Please
FMF. Dont stress. Youll figure it out eventually.
dont fret though. I can tell you it is worth it and it does get better. Think of it as you Find the person in your village who you Dont drink kava the day before wokabot.
paying small dues to enter the PCV club. Its also a great time of learning new ways of can laugh and cry with. (If you dont, its Get used to the island stink as soon as you
doing things and the different kustoms practiced here in Vanuatu. And if youre worried gonna be tough.) can.
about learning Bislama, as I was, and maybe struggle at first while everyone else seems Be really nice to the ladies in the PC office Shaheed is not to be trusted. You can take
to get it, as I did, dont worry it will come. Some of us take just a bit longer for it to sink because they do a lot for you! the man out of the bush, but you cant take
in. Always remember that if you ever need to chat or have questions, even the silly one You dont have to do a project, especially the bush out of the man.
(especially the silly ones) Im glad to help. Youll find the staff is also available to reach out not in the first 6 months at site. Just focus Be conscious of your own needs and take
to, and theyre frickin amazing! Congrats on winning the lottery called PC Vanuatu and I on integrating. care of yourself.
wish you the best. Ill be seeing you in the training village! Get a cat and plant a garden! Dont compare yourself to other
Cheers, Get out of your house and story with volunteers - for the better or the worse.
Laura everyone. Its the non-strategic way to Weird stuff is gonna happen to you.
make things happen. Accept it and laugh about it.
Hey all, my names Thomas Domingo, and Im also a Practice breathing exercises for when Dont put up a front! Just do you, dude.
PCVL, like Laura. I think well have met by the time thomas d. things dont go right. Try not to be a diva in PST, be prepared to
you read this, but Id like to thank you so much for efate island
pcvl
Dont take things so seriously. rough it.
bearing through the inevitable struggles involved in Wear sunscreen. Signed, your mom.
getting yourself from wherever youre from to where
you are now. I remember that being a surprising element for me - I knew my whole group
and I would be entering a new culture together, but hadnt really paid mind to the fact
that we all come from different cultures ourselves. Maybe that sounds dumb and cheesy,
what have you learned from your service?
but I really mean it. I hope that as yall grow familiar with your surroundings, you dont
Things can change often and The difference you make might not be
forget to take the time to appreciate the walks that your fellow groupmates are going
unexpectedly, but can also always bring tangible.
through. I can say with confidence that in my time here Ive discovered lifelong friends on new experiences, friends and growth. How to balance effort with surrender.
in people whom I might never have expected to eat lunch with in the US. Nobody asked Your (host) mamas always right. You cant always control whats happening
me for advice, but Im going to go ahead and give it to you anyway: make the most You cannot control what people say. externally, but you can always control
of your language training. I think we all have one experience in which we realize the You can do anything as long as youre whats happening internally.
importance of being able to speak Bislama, and it usually involves talking about sensitive willing to do the work. Its tough being a woman in Vanuatu.
topics; things people tend to be passionate about, like gay marriage, gun violence, and Im constantly impressed by how deeply A smile goes a long way!
religion. Your ability and willingness to host conversations about these topics in Bislama is everything runs. How to walk in pretty much any terrain in
a gesture of good faith, and everyone will appreciate it. Gardens are awesome. flipflops.
Lastly, I just want to mention that I will be leaving in May. I was hoping to be around for Embrace the little things. How terrible kava hangovers are. But also
the duration of your training but have received an offer to teach full-time in the Bay Area Expect everything from yourself how great kava can be.
through Teach For America, and Im taking it. I look forward to supporting yall any way I and nothing from others - have no You can get used to anything.
expectations. Tattling pikinini are the worst.
can until I go, and very much look forward to staying in touch and keeping up with your
Time is its own master. Be patient. Especially when youre waiting
progress as your service goes on. See you soon!
I learned about the birds and the bees and for hours on the side of the road for a
how you will go to hell if you do it. truck.

4 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 5

who is teruko?
introducing kelly cullen, frances c.
pc vanuatu's new cd. editor-in-chief
Literacy project
efate island
I first met Kelly in January 2017, shortly after she
arrived in-country to take on the intimidating
role as PC Vanuatus Country Director. When
she visited my site on Efate, my first impression
was simply how experienced she was in her
work as well as how warm and approachable
she was. Through many storians with her, I have
found her life to be an exciting and worldly
one - so much so, I felt compelled to share it.

To call her a seasoned world citizen is just

Kelly during her PCV service in Jamaica.
to scratch the surface. Since departing her sunny
hometown of Santa Barbara, California 20+ years
ago, Kelly has since earned her global citizenship to lifes offerings and opportunities. Before my
in her numerous roles throughout the Peace Corps service, I thought of myself first as an American,
organization. She has traveled to over 25 Peace and then as a global citizen. My services changed
Kelly in her new role as PC Vanuatus Country Director.
Corps posts, primarily in the Pacific, Asia and me in the way of boosting my confidence and
Caribbean regions, as well as to 113 countries in showing me I could do anything I wanted. For
Palauan Congress, intently following the ebb and me and many others, it became impossible to Kelly surfing
total. Kelly has served twice as a PCV, in Jamaica at home in
flow of political debate until she finally left her go back to the mainstream life once service was
from 95-97 and then in the Republic of Palau California.
mark by writing the preamble to the Palau Youth over. Kelly continued her Peace Corps journey
(Micronesia) from 97-98, both in pilot Youth at
Development Constitution. In addition to her after her service in her numerous roles within the
Risk programs.
work in congress, Kelly found a secondary project organization, from serving as a PCSSO (a regional
In Jamaica, Kellys previous experience as
that resonated with her passion for kayaking. She PC Safety and Security Officer) to working as
a police officer came in handy in her work helping
worked closely with nine young Palauans who Tongas Country Director.
downtown police academies train cadets to work
had dropped out of school to establish a kayak In her role as the new Country Director
with youth. In the first part of her service, she
tourism project with a local hotel. In this way, Kelly of PC Vanuatu, Kelly has a long list of aspirations
worked closely with at risk youth groups in the
was able to share her knowledge of kayaking with for her time here. She wants to promote the
ghetto until a safety and security issue brought
Palauan youth. Sparked by Kellys passion and volunteer experience to others both in and out
her to a quiet fishing village that subsequently
entrepreneurial spirit, many of the youth went on of Vanuatu; ensure volunteer safety and health;
gave her a taste of another world in Jamaica.
to work with local kayak tourism businesses. internally strengthen all systems, especially
Reflecting back on her time in Jamaica, Kelly
Life and service in Palau was drastically communication; and establish a baseline of
fondly remembers Jamaicas rich culture, music,
different from the often gritty hustle of Jamaicas transparency and personalization with volunteers
and food - especially the spicy jerk chicken, ackee
urban centers. Perhaps in some ways, it was more in order to reinforce their understanding of PC
(a potentially toxic fruit that flourishes in the
akin to our own lives here in Vanuatu, peaceful and policies.
Caribbean that allegedly tastes like scrambled
quiet. In her two years there, Kelly lived with a host
eggs), and saltfish (a Jamaican breakfast staple). Kelly with her Palau island mates.
family, who she fondly remembers as her favorite Finally, to current volunteers in the midst of their
The Jamaican service was surreal in many ways,
part of her time there (and recently visited!). She service, Kelly advises:
not least of which were the uncommonly common
was lovingly named Teruko (meaning active
run-ins she had with Jamaican celebrities and
funny one) by her host papa, a village chief, after Be grateful for everyday you have here. Being a
musicians as a PCV. (I think its safe to say we dont
her host grandmother. I really enjoyed hearing Peace Corps Volunteer in such a unique country
typically run into Shaggy, Ziggy and Zita Marley
about the strange experiences Kelly had in the such as Vanuatu is a privilege. You should be
on the day-to-day!)
islands because they felt so relatable to our really proud of your service - so hang on and
Following her exciting stint in the
own. For instance she once went fishing with her keep your head up!
Caribbean, Kelly immediately jumped into her
host family, and her papa, a fisherman, caught a
next Peace Corps adventure - spending only three
huge Blue-fin tuna. Her young siblings were on To incoming G29 trainees, Kelly extends a warm
short weeks home in California before booking it
it immediately and reached into the gills, pulled welcome and a reminder to:
to the remote islands of Micronesia. After another
out the throbbing heart and popped it into their
grueling (yet incredibly valuable!) round of PST,
mouth, introducing her quickly to the local Be as open as possible; we all come with our
Kelly was stationed on the main island within the
delicacy and custom of consuming raw fish heart. own baggage of judgment, but strive to not have
Republic of Palau. Though she was serving under
Peace Corps changed Kellys life. She expectations and absorb everything.
the same Youth at Risk project, Kellys role in Palau
has been abroad for more time than she has
was drastically different. Working closely with
been back in the US for the last 20 years. Kelly We sincerely wish Kelly the best of luck in her
Palauan government officials to establish a national
reflected on the enduring impact of her two endeavors and look forward to the great things
Youth Development program, she sat daily in the
distinct services, I became so much more open ahead for PC Vanuatu. Kelly with her small pig Balloon,
presented to her at G27s COS.

6 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 7

 g28 mid-service profiles G28ers reflect on t he ir fir s t ye a r of s e r v ic e ...
KATLYN F.
Literacy project
frances c.
Literacy project
MAKIRA ISLAND efate island

Shawna H. CARL R. 1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? 1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
My favorite part about site is my host sister. My My hilarious counterparts, wonderful host
Literacy project Literacy project best friend is now a 1st grader and I love it. family, and students - in short, the people. (:
ambae island SANTO ISLAND
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR? 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? 1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? One of the weirdest moments was when the When I had to carry out a nani goat that
My host mama. Shes my best friend. (: Point Palakula - an abandoned fishery with villagers pointed out the star that attacks boys/ wandered into my classroom. If that wasnt
a run aground 200 ft shipwreck - awesome men and pelts them with rocks... weird enough, it then proceeded to bite my
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR? snorkeling! boob in front of all my students...
Going to the ocean with the host fam at 10 at 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
night, using torches to lure worms, and catching 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR? Nobody knows that I cant be touched lightly 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
them with our bare hands. Then proceeding to I ate gecko and it was really good. without my insides dying... it makes me want to Im pretty good at the diabolo (Chinese yo-yo).
eat them like laplap the next day. Salty. barf. One of my performances was even featured in
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS the local paper when I was 8.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS I have sailed over 10,000 miles over the Pacific. 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
I was a fairy once. When Im having a tough day at sunset I like to 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE? sneak away from the village and go to these Walking to a lookout point at sunrise with my
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE? My beautiful adventurous wife. big tall rocks that spike out into the ocean and music on blast and then spacing out while the
Taking some time to myself to just think and climb onto a big one and just stare out and waves crash underneath me.
figure my shit out. 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE reflect on life and remember that its a beautiful
Manioc simboro with flying fox on top. one. 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE My tawis comfort island stew of chopped up
Manioc simboro with island cabbage and tuna 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE manioc, island cabbage and milked coconut. So
on top. Manioc with a nice shark soup is pretty bomb. simple, but oh so delicious and full of love!

MARCIO S.
Literacy project Natalie f.
Elizabeth a. sergio m.
vanua lava island Literacy project
Literacy project literacy project
ambae island nguna island malekula island
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
My students.
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? 1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? The view. My favorite part of site is that fresh fish is always
My front porch and its view. 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
available.
When I went to the bank, a Ni-Van man I didnt
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR? know came up to me, pinched my nipple,
That time the 21-year-old son of my counterpart 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
Watching my cat eat the placenta of her laughed, and then walked away.
was birthed on stage in a Kamp GLOW/BILD Family members walking up to my bedroom
newborn kittens. TOT skit. window early in the morning to talk to me while
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Im still in bed.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS When I first arrived in the US, I lived in a small
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Im pretty much an open book, I cant think of room with my mom, dad and brother for two-
I have a weakness for cupcakes, beards, and 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
anything. and-a-half years.
flattery - not necessarily in that order. A dog bit me in the butt when I was a kid.

4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE? 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?

4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE? 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Petting my cat while reading a good book in my Rereading books that I love.
Losing myself in a good book. Exercising, going for a swim in the ocean,
hammock. shower with freshwater, and drinking kava after.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE Coconut nalot.
Hot manioc simboro. 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Hot laplap taro. Manioc laplap sorsor with chicken.

8 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 9

 Jenni O. Emily h. isaac s. kristian g.
community health community health Community health Literacy project
paamA ISLAND Epi Island ambae island ambrym island

1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? 1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? 1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? 1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
Second to the people would be that the ocean Wild yam laplap sorsor. When it rains. Living close to the water.
is so accessible. I do not know what I would do When its actually cool enough to sleep with a
if I did not have the option to swim anytime I 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR? 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR? blanket.
wanted! Confusing a sea turtle for a scuba diving white Hearing flying foxes glide by my window at
man. night. 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR? Nada. (:
When people started asking for ME at the clinic 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
and not the Nurse Practitioner or Registered I have no secrets left. Im really good at drawing and painting. 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Nurse it was a weird moment in realizing I
have successfully integrated. 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE? 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Chance the Rapper dance parties. Talking to Kristian. 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS A good stretch at the end of the day.
I once owned 2 tree frogs and their names were 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Kermit and Mrs. Piggy, oh and I can play the Wild yam laplap sorsor. Kumala or taro boiled in coconut milk. 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
French Horn. Manioc everything.

4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?

Music and Swimming. jack s. chad b. helen a.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE community health
Literacy project community health
Coconut everything! Milk it, scratch it, cut it, lelepa ISLAND
drink it, stare at it. It is amazing! And amazing
maewo island ambae ISLAND
for you!
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? 1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
My wife.
katie s. Remoteness, strong kastom, strong kava. Swimming like a mermaid in the ocean when
water runs out at site.
Literacy project 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
Receiving a letter addressed only: Jack, Lelepa
lelepa island Island, Vanuatu.
Dancing kasem daylight in a village up the 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
mountain. Sun came up and it was straight to Learning how to swear in local language from
the nakamal for stone-ground kava then a small my host family.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? sleep. Woke up, drank again and walked home.
I have been on the radio in two countries.
Lelepa is gorgeous, and I really enjoy getting to Weird in the best way. 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
work with lots of different groups throughout Cameron in G29 is my spirit animal.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
the community -- especially my students! 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Laying on the ground to see how long it takes
I was an eye-witness at the trial of a fairly 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
for my ass to fall asleep.
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR? famous serial killer. Swearing with my host family.
Drowning an unsinkable custom canoe in the
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
middle of the ocean and swimming it back to 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE? 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Tuluk.
shore. Just being around my host mom. But if shes not Kumala for days.
around, gangster rap in good headphones.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Ive never broken a bone (knock on wood!). 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Laplap taro with nawita inside.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Reading lots of awesome books & trying to
remember that there is always something to be
grateful for.

5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE

Tuluk!

10 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 11

 elizabeth r.
Literacy project
MAlekula ISLAND
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
The pikinini and seeing their smiling faces.
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
Every time a Ni-van told me that Im an aelan
gel nao immediately following up with must
marry lo pleis ia na and me just being like
merhppp every time. Oh also I thought I saw
someone I knew so I started pointing at them
and making a funny face then as the person
got closer he was giving me the strangest face
like who the fuq are you and then it was just
awkward...
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
I have a secret talent...acting! Hahaha was in a
music video while here!
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Turning on some jams and dancing it out ooor
baking/cooking something over the fire!
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Laplap sosor for the winnn!!!
ROBERT C.
community health
ambrym island
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
You can always find a cool spot, even on the
hottest days.
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
Being chased around the village by a naked
one year old wielding a bush knife.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
I used to be deathly afraid of deep water.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Listening to music is a great way to unwind at
site.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Nalot - roast breadfruit, smash it down with a
coconut, and then cover it with coconut milk.
12 THE VANUATU AMERICAN
mercedes l.
Literacy project
malekula island
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
Close proximity to small islands, good kava,
snorkeling, markets and good people.
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
Too many! Maybe the time I woke up wearing
someone elses underwear.
P.S. No action was had that night.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
I LOVE rubber ducks! Especially the squeaky
ones.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
The friends I have made since Ive came here. I
depend on them greatly. Oh, and Friday night
dinners with Claire and Jake. Cold beers!
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Fresh fish and coconut milk over bananas.
frank t.
community health
ambae island
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
Big mango tree klosap long nakamal ples blong
storian wetem oli fala.
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
I was given a 10-month old baby to hold. The
baby had never seen a person who looked
at allll like me, and probably thought she was
being abducted by space aliens. She was
existentially alarmed.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Cant tell left from right without looking at my
hands.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Go long garen.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Laplap volcano wetem taro.
Logan e.
community health
erromango ISLAND
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
Site has no parts/is a body without organs.
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
The systematic failure of all coping mechanisms.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
No...?
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Weird stuff.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Neiyogi ntal (laplap taro with coconut and
naura blo wota sandwiched inside).
nancy w.
community health
nguna island
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
The people.
2. MOST MAGICAL MOMENT SO FAR?
When all the young people of the village
carried mirrors up to the mountain and
reflected back to the people in the village
and then everyone in the village reflected
their own mirrors back. It was a magical
celebration of the community coming
together and celebrating their youth.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
I had a boil on my ass two months ago.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Knitting, oatmeal in the morning and
storian with friends.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Manioc laplap.
MATT w.
community health
maewo island
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
The constant reminder of how much better I
am than Brandon, as a volunteer and also as an
overall person.
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
Having a group of people surrounding me as I
tell them the story of Star Wars then realize Im
basically reenacting the scene of 3P0 and the
Ewoks in Jedi.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
In the third grade I accidentally swallowed a
nickel.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Throwing stones at fowl and small children.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Fried laplap and peanut butter.
jake w.
community health
malekula ISLAND
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
All the kava available at three nakamals klosap.
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
An earthquake hit Malekula at the precise
moment Trump was elected President.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
I never go into Lakatoro.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Kava and small projects to keep me busy.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Claires simboro.
APRIL 2017 13
 brandon m. aaron h. carrigan C. martha m.
literacy project community health community health community health
maewo island ambrym island maewo ISLAND maewo ISLAND

1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? Living on island

1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
Being close to the ocean and the people!
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
I was in a nearby village with a few friends and
I had to poop real bad. A friend walked around
the village with me for about 15 mins going
from house to house asking for toilet paper
in local language and never found it. Finally,
I ran away from him and went to a toilet near
the nakamal and used the oldest magazine Ive
seen in my life. Good times!
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
Random bits of know-how I find when I work on
projects.
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
Having to excuse myself from church to go
catch my pig who was running out of my house
alongside the church. Church was stopped so
everyone could watch me wrestle my screaming
pig.
Fantasizing about murdering children.
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Spending hours in the ocean everyday. Growing banana (man wan)
Cook read swim and play
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
While I was singing a man masturbated in my (Bet yall didnt know I write haiku,
parents kitchen at 10AM. cause I dont)
3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Im a good secret keeper.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?

3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS

Ive seen Hugh Jackman in the wild. Oh wait, I
I was a goalie for a mini six league in college
(mini hockey).
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Nawita (octopus). yu fani tumas! illustrated by Natalie F.
mean a wolverine. 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Planning what Im going to do tomorrow, next
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE? week, next month. i.e., day dreaming. morning meditation
Kava with friends and my host dad after a long LEAH d.
day. Drinking kava, laughing & playing cards. 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Manioc simboro and Mama Selis coconut rice.
community health thoughts...
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE tongoa ISLAND
Water taro & coconut milk in bamboo roasted
over a fire. 1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE?
claire l. Open space! Gudfala wind!
community health 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
nick h. malekula ISLAND Cows and chickens gazing intently at you.
community health 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Vanua Lava island 1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? Working on my first mat.
Close proximity to good kava, Mercedes, and
good people. 4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
1. BEST PART ABOUT SITE? Writing my prayers in my notebook.
Sunsets over Vureas Bay. 2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR?
Weird stuff happens to me every single day... 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
2. WEIRDEST MOMENT SO FAR? one favorite was being crammed in a truck with Cooked pumpkin drenched in coconut milk.
The time Marcio burped me like a baby. a dead cow for 4 hours.

3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS

The time Marcio burped me like a baby.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE?
Reading about wizards and astronauts.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Coconut crab.
No one knows (or maybe everyone knows) that
I love a good matching outfit.
4. COPING MECHANISM AT SITE? "am i getting a really good
Im lucky to have Jake with me, but when he
zen today or is this mosquito
drives me nuts there is always yoga, writing,
reading, and Mercedes! coil just starting to make me

5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE hallucinate?"

I LOVE SIMBORO. You can jazz it up a trillion
different ways. Delicious.

14 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 15

 g27/26 extendee profiles
Featuring G26ers & G27 e r s who h ave e x te nde d t h e ir s e r v ic e ...
kathleen p.
ambrym island
grace w.
port vila, efate

shaheed z. jeffrey c. 1. where was your first site? 1. what YOU DO

Port vila, efate
1. where was your first site?
Galilee, Malekula.
2. WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
Everything and nothing.
3. WHAT DO YOU MISS FROM SITE?
Giving toddlers PTSD.
4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Im a huge mamas boy.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Laplap sorsor.
thomas d.
port vila, Efate
pcvl
1. where was your first site?
Ambaebulu School, East Ambae
2. WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
As a Vila-based PCVL, I do what I can to support
office staff and volunteers by acting as a bridge
between the two. I assist with site development,
give input on office discussions from a
volunteers perspective, and help to plan and
implement trainings.
3. WHAT DO YOU MISS FROM SITE?
Port Vila is comfortable, but I miss knowing
everyone around me and being known by
them. I definitely dont feel like I have as much
cred with people around me here- people are
still very friendly, but after having your every
action questioned for two years, you somehow
come to miss it.
And my dog, Marge. I miss my dog.
port vila, efate North Ambae. I work for OGCIO doing mobile application
development.
2. WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
I am working on a Youth At Work program 2. FAVORITE PART OF VANUATU
1. where was your first site?
which helps create agriculture business on the On top of the microwave tower by my office on
East Santo
island to prevent urban drift on Ambrym. Ambae; the view is incredible!
2. WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
3. WHAT DO YOU MISS FROM SITE? 3. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
I work at GIZ - Ministry of Climate Change.
My island mates. When I was about 5, I took ballet lessons for a
grand total of about a month. I quit because
3. WHAT DO YOU MISS FROM SITE?
4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS someone threw up during class, but then
I miss knowing everybody and being able to hit
I was born in Costa Rica. regretted it when my classmates were ladybugs
anyone up at any time to do anything.
in The Nutcracker that year. I was so jealous!
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Simboro. 4. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
The most shells of kava Ive had in one sitting is
Nalot, no contest.
13.
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Nalot blong wota taro. brittany w.
aneitym island mike t.
port vila, Efate
laura l.
1. where was your first site?
malekula island My first site, and the reason for my first extension,
pcvl was Umej Aneityum. 1. where was your first site?
Rensarie College Malekula.
2. WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
1. where was your first site? I moved about 3 hours north of Umej and work with
Tautu, Malekula 2. WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
the secondary school on Aneityum. My work is still Overstaying my welcome.
mostly health/science related.
2. WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
Im now a Peace Corps Volunteer Leader. 3. WHAT DO YOU MISS FROM SITE?
3. WHAT DO YOU MISS FROM SITE? Better kava on the island, but taon is nice too.
(PCVL). My role is to act as support to other Umej has a strong pull on me. I can never be away
volunteers and PC staff in just about any way I for too long. Even though Im only a 3 hour walk
can. 4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
away, I miss the village every day. It has the kindest,
most sincere people, my awesome extended family,
3. WHAT DO YOU MISS FROM SITE? is mostly kastom (speaking almost solely local
Hanging with family and storian 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
language), has the best rivers, and the strongest
Tuluk is good.
kava.
4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
I can sing. 4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
Im a pretty open book... but Ive been mistaken for
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE a devil at least 4 times throughout Aneityum. So
Rip bananas with coconut cream! theres that...

4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE

Ive had open heart surgery I <3 aelan kakae. My favorites are namari from the
river, russed tarro fiji eaten with russed coconut,
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE water crest, flying fox thats steamed well, and
Nalot. Hands down, no questions, end of story. pineapples (+any other fruit).

16 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 17

response volunteer profiles
Fe at urin g ou r awesome res pon s e vols , b ot h R P C Vs a nd fir s t t ime r s ...
NICholas S.
port vila, efate

connie r. bethany b.
port vila, efate ambae ISLAND
1. what YOU DO 1. what YOU DO
I try to dive often. Im working on the Youth at Work program
(training young people on climate change
2. FAVORITE PART OF VANUATU adaptation and business skills)
The cool Pacific breezes and people I meet.
2. FAVORITE PART OF VANUATU
3. WHERE HAVE YOU SERVED Definitely the solwota!
Georgia.
3. WHERE HAVE YOU SERVED
4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS I served in Benin (West Africa) as an
My son is getting married to a woman I think is Environment/Agriculture volunteer.
fabulous.
4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE Before learning Bislama, Id only learned
Tuluk from Mele. foreign languages that started with F (French,
Finnish, Fulfulde).
1. what YOU DO
I work for the Vanuatu Qualification Authority
5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Banana pancakes with single origin maple
- a cousin of the Ministry of Education. Right syrup, crisp bacon and fresh juice... I live next to
now Im helping write HR policy - updating job Au Bon.
descriptions, creating new job descriptions for
future employees, and remuneration policy.
2. FAVORITE PART OF VANUATU
Favorite part, the people, I mean there is one
stop sign in Vila and everyone drives sane - emi
no gat rage blo road.
3. WHERE HAVE YOU SERVED
In Guyana, in the jungle, remote as it comes.
4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS
I eat papaya seeds, cause I think they keep me
healthy- and I think they taste good.

5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE

Pumpkin leaves cooked in coconut milk.
dominique d.
port vila, efate
steven m.
port vila, efate
1. what YOU DO
I work at Oxfam as a Communications and
Advocacy Coordinator.
1. what YOU DO
2. FAVORITE PART OF VANUATU I am a financial management advisor for the
My job but outside of that, the scenery. Its Vanuatu Qualifications Authority, within the
beautiful. Ministry of Education.

3. WHERE HAVE YOU SERVED 2. FAVORITE PART OF VANUATU

Moldova, Eastern Europe as a Small Enterprise The people.
Development volunteer.
3. WHERE HAVE YOU SERVED
4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS This is my first time.
I published a book in 2014 titled, Coversations
from the Back Burner. 4. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS

5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE

Im a mommas boy.
yu fani
tumas!
Tuluk. 5. FAVORITE ISLAND KAKAE
Island cabbage.

illustrated by Natalie F.

18 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 19


"not yet the end"
aaron h.
community health
ambrym island
Old habits die easier than we think and new
ones quickly form to fill that void. I do not receive
my news from the daily ten oclock news anymore,
now I get it from the often months-old Vanuatu
Daily Post. I do not receive my daily dose of gossip
from Facebook, now I get it from sitting around
and talking to people. Soon, I might even grow
accustomed to the island time that is so intrinsically
prevalent here. Is there anywhere else in the world
that can be as drastically different from our own?
People who know this country, just go about their
business. But nothing can prepare the uninitiated
for the often complete aloneness one can feel, for
the sweltering heat, or the exhausted perpetual
duty of always working. My family is conducting
their always personal assault on my senses from
the exotic dishes we eat to the lack of similarities
in our two increasingly different cultures. Initially
we are all overwhelmed. However, gradually you
notice that it is like a wave. If you resist the wave, it
will knock you over. If you dive into the wave, you
will most definitely swim out to the other side.
Put a bunch of people in a certain scenario
it is a matter of time before one of us quits. It may
take a year or a couple of weeks. However, there
are two words that are always in the back of my
mind haunting me: what and if. They are two
of the most non-threatening words in the English
language. When you put them together, they attain
The only real failure
in life is the failure to
at least try.
the power to haunt you for the rest of your life. The
only real failure in life is the failure to at least try.
The consequence of not trying is living with the
what if scenario. And how we measure success is
how we cope with disappointment. We came here
and we tried, all of us in our different ways. We get
20 THE VANUATU AMERICAN
we came here and we
tried, all of us in our
different ways.
up in the morning, we do our best. Nothing else
matters. Often we forget that being ourselves is
enough of a success as any. Often we think too big
and do not appreciate the small successes in living
here.
Even so, it is also accurate to say that the
person who risks nothing, does nothing, has
nothing. All that we can speculate about the future
is that it will be different. We are frequently too
scared of disappointment to take a chance. But
perhaps what we fear is that it will be the same.
So, we must celebrate the changes - the new life
we are living, or for some about to live. Because
as one once said, everything will be alright in the
end, and if its not alright, its not the end.
the person who risks
nothing, does nothing,
has nothing.
illustrated by Natalie F.
enjoy the view
using the gender lens
All members of the Staff community of Peace
Corps Vanuatu including our PCVLs had a
wonderful two days of replenishment as the
Warwick Le Lagoon Resort & Spa on the 23rd and
24th of February 2017. This two day event was
an initiative of the Let Girls Learn (LGL) initiative
aimed to shed more light on this exciting program.
A member of the LGL team from PC Headquarters
Ms. Mary Latka helped the staff members
understand the content of the LGL initiative in a
fun and transformational manner which left the
staff members walking out of the two day event
with more confidence and energy to support our
volunteers make their service and time here a
fruitful one.
The outline and agenda of the event made the
event a very educational experience for the
entire group and allowed all participants to walk
away with a broader view of the sensitive theme.
The topics unveiled during this event include
Gender Roles, Power, Engaging Men & Boys,
Youth Sexual Reproductive Health (YSRH), as
well as opportunities to plan how to incorporate
these topics into our existing training events. The
participants were greatly moved by a powerful
panel featuring influential women such as Hilda
Lini (a former member of parliament and current
lady Chief), Merilyn Tahi (Coordinator of the
Vanuatu Womens Crisis Center), Liah Kaltoi
(Oxfam, Gender Inclusion Coordinator), and
Dorosday W Kenneth (Director of Womens Affairs
david p.
PC Vanuatu Monitoring,
reporting and evaluation
coordinator
of the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu).
Another highlight was the creative facilitation used
throughout the event. The majority of participants
testified to feeling inspired by the orientation and
many have shared the positive impact this event
has had on their lives.
I always thought of
LGL as a women/feminist
thing, but after this
event, my life has totally
changed. We are all
part of this world and
it is fair that we all be
recognized. that is the
essence of unity
This is the first time the Peace Corps Vanuatu
post has received the opportunity to be training
on this initiative and already staff have pledged
their support to assist our volunteers with the
knowledge gained from the orientation.
Moreover, should volunteers require direct
technical support regarding LGL, our designated
PC Vanuatu Gender Point of Contact Officers are
Lensay Tambe and Excellent Toka-Shing. The rest
of the staff are also always eager and ready to
support you with whatever knowledge they have
in your gender-focused projects throughout your
service.
APRIL 2017 21

things you cant
learn in pst
1. Dealing with the heat. Hot yoga has nothing on
Vanuatu. I have sweat profusely from every orifice
of my body just trying to put my hair up (this is no
exaggeration).
- Shavasana (A yoga pose that suggests to take
up a lot of space, get comfy and settled.) on my
cement floor is the only way I get through some
days.
2. There are days the ocean feels hotter than
outside. Who needs a hot tub when you live in
the South Pacific?
3. Being a PCV is a small glimpse into what it
would be like to be famous. You will be stared at,
photographed, and videotaped. Every time you
are, it is likely you arent doing anything at all.
Just be grateful there is no People magazine here
to comment on how you wore that skirt wrong, or
how dirty your hair looks.
4. Give your door a quick check before closing it.
If you fail to do so you may end up squashing
a gecko in the door frame. Not only is this
disgusting but they are really hard to scrape off.
I have permanent gecko marks lining my door
frame and some date back before my time as a
volunteer. As of today I use my canoe paddle to
scrape the half flattened ones off but if anyone
has better ideas, please share.
5. When cockroaches shed their skin, they are white
and creepier than ever. I would like to thank
Peace Corps Vanuatu, for an up close exclusive
on this truly spectacular transformation. Most
people only get to see such things on animal
planet from the comfort of their couches. I got to
witness this event in my small swim house, naked.
*Side note: I have a serious ant/cockroach/
mosquito/and now slug infestation in my swim
house and bathroom. I NEED ideas on how to
deal with this! Mortein only helps for about a day
or two.
6. Lavalavas are the most underrated gift you will
ever receive. Their uses include and are not
limited to: a makeshift skirt to cover up those
tantalizing legs, a towel to get you to your house
from your swim house or vice versa, a blanket for
those not really cold nights, a lice protector when
you find yourself staying over at a families house
22 THE VANUATU AMERICAN
smoke in the night
mercedes l.
Literacy project
marcio s.
Literacy project
malekula island vanua lava island
marcio's art
or you have to share a bed with your lice infested
sister, a dust protector for your hair on truck
rides (anything to go another day without having
to wash your hair), and to cover up your taboo
places so you can swim in the rain.
7. Kava Bars (Nakamals) double as a successful
meeting place. During the day it can be
impossible to find the people you need to talk to
regarding a project.
But at niiIiight, follow the sounds
Of spitting on the ground
Youre sure to find someone whos kind
And doesnt mind
Listening to your plans
Theyll surely be your biggest fans.
I hear churches are a good network too, but Im
always too kava drunk to make it there.
8. Fact check. Sometimes things get lost in
translation, or someone tells you what you want
to hear, OR youre just being messed with. Either
way if something doesnt seem right ask again,
and then ask someone else that might know.
9. You are not crazy! Just kidding, you definitely
are. No sane person joins the Peace Corps. But
its ok, embrace it. Everyone here knows you
are a foreigner and different, they will let you
know if youre doing something you shouldnt,
so let your freak flag fly. Put on a devil mask and
scare some children, shake your ass in front
of a whole village, sing Jesus Loves the Little
Children at the top of your lungs and show off
your small numbas. I was taught this lesson by a
G27 volunteer, and I have many memories now
because of it.
10. And most importantly when someone gives
you the universal sign for would you like a
beer? DO NOT get excited! They are actually
asking if you want a banana.
APRIL 2017 23
 { in c lu s ion: noun
1. the action or state of including or of being included
within a group or structure
WHAT DOES
inclusion = assimilation
inclusion = diversity
It has become all too common that we
flick on the television, browse through social
media, and dive into web pages that claim to
foster inclusion (literally and figuratively), yet
portray quite the opposite. It is hard to say what
has caused these groups to divert so drastically
from their original claim, but a possibility could
stem from a lack of understanding of what
inclusion means. Inclusion cannot be taken
simply as the fifteen-word definition written
above; but rather, must recognize, respect,
and embrace that, individually, we come from
all walks of life and have experiences just as
diverse.
"Inclusion is accepting that
we are all different yet
unique in our own ways."
- Sergio -
24 THE VANUATU AMERICAN
} joining or forming a group that individuals
MEAN TO YOU?
Inclusion means being
a part of something or
having a place to look
forward to regardless of
your past or present.
- Isaac -
When individuals come together to form
or join groups, it is here that the possibility
of misunderstanding and misinterpretation
exists. It tends to be that groups do not put in
writing a need to foster inclusion, because it
is assumed it will exist. There is an assumption
that those who join similar groups have the
same mission and vision as their peers, and
in wanting that, will automatically foster and
be knowledgeable of what inclusion means.
In other words, people believe that everyone
in this group will get along because of the
bigger vision; but it is in that moment of
need to have a strong understanding of what
inclusion means fundamentally, individually,
and possibly to others. This is why we, as the
iG, wish to further define and shed light on
what inclusion means, and how we as a group
can value, strive for, and foster inclusion in
everything we do.
Inclusion means value. To
me, this means finding the
value in all people no matter
how different they are from
myself. Being self-aware,
open-minded and valuing
others for who they are.
- Brandon -
From birth to the present, inclusion
has always been a part of our lives. Inclusion
is that thing that brings us together while
simultaneously pulling us apart. It is what we
all strive for, with everything we do. We all
want to feel included but in doing so we can
lose sight of ourselves and the differences that
make us great! We can become judgmental
towards others when we do not understand
why they do what they do or do not see it the
way we see it. This judgment is one of the
reasons why groups and individuals lose sight
of what inclusion truly means. We should be
recognizing individual strengths, weaknesses,
faults, gifts, etc., while simultaneously
maintaining a decent and non-judgmental
attitude towards the fact that everyone is
different. If these differences did not exist, it
would be quite a boring world.
Inclusion means
celebrating our
differences, not being
threatened or feeling
inferior by them.
- Kristian -
Inclusion means
acknowledging the
differences between
each unique person, and
trying to get to know one
another and celebrate
those differences as well
as the similarities.
- Shawna -
During our first meetings as a newly
formed inclusion Group, we met head-on with
the challenges we would face from wanting
to be a group who continually strives for
inclusion. Let us tell you firsthand, it was not a
walk in the park. Each of us have come from
different walks of life, and because of this,
have developed strong personalities, and
fundamental beliefs and ideals. There were
triumphs and dead ends, laughs and more
laughs, but in the end, no matter what note we
ended on, we came together because we knew
that, as a group, fostering inclusion would
not be easy but that it is worth promoting.
We, the iG, came to the realization that as
PC volunteers and as PC staff, we have the
potential of breaking down endless negative
barriers that prevent inclusion within ourselves,
the United States, and the places we serve.
That we just need to come together and ask,
What does inclusion mean to you? and how
far are you willing to go to continually strive for
it...
Inclusion is a deliberate
and conscious practice of
engaging people different
from yourself in a wide
range of activities. The
inclusive person is humble,
self-aware, tolerates
discomfort, and values the
importance of many voices.
- Leah -
APRIL 2017 25
 a tad from gad
OH MY GAD ! E x c e r p t s
C h i ma ma nda N goz i A d i ch i es
We Should All Be Feminists
Hi! Were your Gender and Development Committee
otherwise known as GAD. Gender is not an easy conversation
to have. It makes people uncomfortable,
The Gender and Development Committee is focused on sometimes even irritable. Both men and
raising gender awareness and equality throughout Vanuatu. women are resistant to talk about gender, or
are quick to dismiss the problems of gender.
The group is structured around three main components: Because thinking of changing the status quo is
(1) raising awareness around domestic violence in communities, always uncomfortable.
(2) providing trainings and participatory tools to volunteers, staff, and counterparts, Some people ask: Why the word
and (3) empowering youth through leadership and life skills. feminist? Why not just say you are a believer in
human rights, or something like that? Because
We run several trainings throughout the year, including a Training of Trainers called Kamp that would be dishonest. Feminism is, of course,
GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) / BILD (Boys in Leadership Development). part of human rights in general- but to choose
to use the vague expression human rights is
Here is A smol intro of our current gad fam for G29: to deny the specific and particular problem of
gender. It would be a way of pretending that it
was not women who have, for centuries, been
excluded. It would be a way of denying that
the problem of gender targets women. That
the problem was not about being human, but
specifically about being a female human. For
centuries, the world divided human beings into
two groups and then proceeded to exclude
and oppress one group. It is only fair that the
solution to problem acknowledge that.
Some men feel threatened by the idea
of feminism. This comes, I think, from the
insecurity triggered by how boys are brought
up, how their sense of self-worth is diminished
if they are not naturally in charge as men.
emily katie Frances Logan
Domestic Violence Youth Empowerment Public Relations, Chairperson and Sage Gender matters everywhere in the
Lead, Secretary, and Lead, Treasurer, and Project Planning on the Mountain.
world. And I would like today to ask that we
begin to dream about and plan for a different
owner of many Organizational Queen & Training Lead, Come and chat about
world. A fairer world. A world of happier
fine feminist tank Extraordinaire. Loves and bombass any and all treatises. men and happier women who are truer to
tops. Here for all William & Mary and graphic designer. themselves. And this how to start: We must
conversations good classroom Finest maker of raise our daughters differently. We must also
involving gender, sex, management infographics and
raise our sons differently.
We do a great disservice to boys in how
and intersectionality. practices. weird questions.
to raise them. We stifle the humanity of boys.
We define masculinity in a very narrow way.
26 THE VANUATU AMERICAN
f r o m
Masculinity is a hard, small cage, and we put
boys inside this cage.
We teach boys to be afraid of fear, of
weakness, of vulnerability. We teach them to
mask their true selves, because they have to be,
in Nigerian-speak- a hard man.
What if both boys and girls were raised
not to link masculinity and money? What if
their attitude was not the boy has to pay, but
rather, whoever has more should pay. Of
course, because of their historical advantage, it
is mostly men who will have more today. But if
we start raising children differently, then in fifty
years, in a hundred years, boys will no longer
have the pressure of proving their masculinity
by material means.
But by the far the worst thing we do to
males - by making them feel they have to be
hard- is that we leave with very fragile egos. The
harder a man feels compelled to be, the weaker
his ego is.
And then we do a much greater
disservice to girls, because we raise them to
cater to the fragile egos of males.
We teach girls to shrink themselves, to
make themselves smaller.
We say to girls: You can have ambition,
but not too much. You should aim to be
successful but not too successful, otherwise
you will threaten the man. If you are the
breadwinner in your relationship with a man,
pretend that you are not, especially in public,
otherwise you will emasculate him.
But what if we question the premise
itself: Why should a womans success be a
threat to a man? What if we decide to simply
dispose of that word - and I dont know if there
is an English word I dislike more than this -
emasculation.
APRIL 2017 27
 - a tad fr om gad -
We are very excited and fortunate to be working with the Vanuatu Womens Center in raising awareness of
domestic violence throughout Vanuatu. In addition to supporting women through its many provincial branches,
the VWC offers 1 & 5 day community workshops, a crisis line (24000), and 24/7 support & legal advocacy.

vanuatu womens center

X Marks the Spot p r o v i n c i a l c e n t e r s t h r o u g h o u t va n u at u

36

Torres
1. Motalava
I keep finding bruises, 2. Kerebeta, West Vanualava
3. Sola, Vanualava
Ureparapra

phantom fingerprints 1
Mota Lava 4. Mota
5. Gaua
2

up and down my legs

4
3 Mota

torba 39 Torba 6. Matantas

proclaiming you were once here. Branch
7. Big Bay, Santo
Gaua 5
8. South Santo
Taking ownership to space that 9. Sanma Counselling Centre
sanma
was never yours - 10. Nasawa
11. Gaiovo, North Maewo
41

not that that ever stopped any conqueror before you. Santo

11
10
12. Huritahi
13. North Ambae
6 7 Maewo
12

14. East Ambae

penama
13
15

You smiled. You smirked. 9

Luganville
SCC 16
14
42

15. Duidui, West Ambae

8 Ambae
16. Walaha
Hot, heavy pants into the crook of my neck Malo 17 Pentecost
17. Loltong, North Pentecost
18

Darlin. Baby. 20 40 Malampa 19 18. Melsisi, Central Pentecost

19. South Pentecost
21
Counselling
Centre
My thigh wears the shape of your thumb for weeks.
23

20. Wala Aelan

24
22
Ambrym

21. Uripiv Aelan

Malekula

Paama

m a l a m pa 22. Lolihor, North Ambrym

My cloudy country ancestors did not anticipate 25
26
Epi 23. Lonhali, North Ambrym
24. Wawanfonhal
how our pale skin would hold your mark past the expiration date. 28
27 Tongoa

25. Lamen Aelan, Epi

Emae

26. Burumba, Epi

SHE F A 27. Tongoa
You planted flags. Dropped anchors. 28. Emae
Marveled at your singularity in exploration Efate
29. Vanuatus Women Centre
Port Vila 29
30. Dillons Bay, Erromango
As if I were uncharted territory for you to make your mark. VWC
31. Port Narvin, Erromango
You saw my body like a mountain to summit. An ocean to cross. 32. Midmauk, Tanna
33. Imaki, Tanna
A cave to spelunk. 34. Tanna Counselling Centre
35. Aneityum
A plentiful bounty for you to map. Erromango 36. Torres
30
31 37. Ureparapara
38. Aniwa
I never wanted a cartographer. ta f e a Aniwa
38
39. Torba Counselling Centre
Tanna 40. Malampa Counselling
Centre
32
33

41. Winsau
34

42. Lavui

35 Aneityum

28 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 29

30 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 31
 three really elizabeth a.
useful apps
Literacy project
ambae island
We all know of and use common apps on our phones- Facebook, e-mail, news apps, etc.
Here are a few apps that perhaps you dont know about but that I have found very useful to
keep myself sane and updated at site. With all of them, content can be downloaded when
you get WiFi, and then accessed offline. I use Android, but I think that they are also available
with Apple.
1. Pocket
This app is AWESOME. With it, you can save any webpage to the app
for offline access. I use it to save news articles, recipes, Wikipedia
articles, information for school, peoples blogs, etc. Its a great way to
not waste precious WiFi time with reading- save that for your free time
back at site!
2. TED
Similar to the awesomeness of Pocket, this app can be used to
download Ted talks for offline viewing. Access to Ted talks are great to
have at site when you need to feel uplifted, or when you feel like your
brain is rotting from disuse and you want to think about a Ted worthy
topic.
3. MAPS.ME
This app has detailed maps. Once you download the app, you must
also download maps for specific countries. I was pleasantly surprised by
how detailed the maps of Vanuatu are- the map of Ambae on this app is
more detailed than the Ambae map on Google maps!
yu fani
tumas!
illustrated by Natalie F.
32 THE VANUATU AMERICAN
the Ultimate
E-book Stash
also by Elizabeth A.
Ive always been a big reader, but not until coming to Vanuatu (and not having the distractions
of a laptop or the internet) have I had so much free time to read. I also used to scorn e-readers
preferring the feel of a real book in my hands- but with the 10 kg plane weight limit and heavy
things such as olive oil and months worth of oatmeal to transport, Ive learned the appeal of the
lightweight, but content heavy, kindle. There is a file floating around- the Ultimate E-book Stash-
that is a collection of over 900 e-books. It can be overwhelming to choose your next read out of
that large of a selection, so here are a few good reads from the file to get you started.
1. The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood
Ive heard that dystopian fiction is flying off bookshelves in the US after the inauguration.
This modern classic about a repressive and class based society in the near future has a bit of
an odd premise but covers themes such as crowd mentality, womens roles, and moral law
breaking.
2. What is the What: An Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng
by Dave Eggers
Refugees have been in the news a lot lately. This heartbreaking novel is based on a true story
of a Sudanese refugee. It chronicles his life from his time as a child in Sudan to two refugee
camps to his move to the US. The hardships this man faced throughout his life- and they didnt
end when he arrived in the US- are incredible. This is an important read to put a real story to
the horrors that refugees can face.
3. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
This is a good book to read when youre having a low day. Sedaris is laugh-out- loud funny,
and these stories about his life will make you wish that he was chronicling your life so that you
could find humour in all of lifes annoying situations.
4. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
If you sit down to read the Old Testament, youll find stories of greed, murder, and revenge-
not generally the bible stories heard in church here. In this book, one bible story from the
Book of Genesis is expanded on. It follows the main character- Dinah- throughout her life
and gives a face to a person from thousands of years ago. Womanhood and tradition are the
prominent themes, with appearances of familiar Old Testament characters such as Jacob and
Joseph.
5. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The print form of this book clocks in at over 1100 pages- this book is a commitment to get
through. The topics of the book are heavy- capitalism, government regulation, greed, to name
a few- but the characters are likable, idealistic (and wealthy), and its easy to cheer them on
throughout the book, even while questioning the authors obvious political leanings.
* Note: If you dont yet have the Ultimate E-Book Stash, I or many others can transfer it to
you. Ask around. Happy reading!
APRIL 2017 33
 Ode to Matthew
- by aaron h. -
aaron h.
community health
{ aelan kuk buk }
Aelan Style Pizza
ambrym island
Matthew
Mellow maverick elizabeth r.
Mend magnetized mitigate Literacy project

Michigan Maewo womanizer wolverine

Wisecrack work withstand
- Saay whaaat!? malekula island

Witty wacky Got a craving for pizza?

Wojnar
Enjoy a very easy, but very delicious pizza!

To give you some background on why Aaron and I decided to write

something about each other, it comes down to two reasons. First, the
matthew w. ingredients:
VanAm needed some more articles and Aaron and I agreed to write community health Toppings (dry kokonas, can chicken, tin tuna, mince meat,
something about the other. The second reason coincides with the first maewo island onion, pepper, lettuce, green beans, ANYTHING you
in that Aaron yearns for a compliment. Pretty muh anything to boost his want to put on that pizza)
ego. So of course he jumped at the oppportunity to not only have not only the most humble and considerate
Plain flour
member of G28 write something about him, but also, as sort of a knight in shining armor to aid the VanAm
staff and assist them with their lacking newsletter. Knowing Aaron, I asusme hell just write some silly poem of Pinch of salt
his reverence for me and his all-present awe. And yeah, whatever he says is propably true, if not in good faith. Baking powder
Its really more to have people think he has this amazing emotional side to him and think hes so gracious. So,
-1 cup water
I wanted to write this long meaningful piece of all the good qualities he actually does possess, but after weeks
of a hard endless grind to define his attributes, I was left blank. Almost as blank as Aaron when hes staring at Flat surface like a cutting board
you pretending to listen. So I figured well, if hes writing a poem, Ill do the same I suppose. This was one of Wine/Tusker bottle or plastic water bottle
the most brain-wrenching obstacles Ive ever set my mind to do. Enjoy.
thats strong
Adequate Frying pan
Aaron?
Reliable-ish Medium-sized bowl
Ordinary Calico/tea towel
Not too terrible (sometimes)
This is for you Aaron, love you buddy. directions:
1. Dump 2 cups flour, about 4 pinches of baking powder, and a pinch of salt into bowl.
Up North Aaron (Mackinaw Fudge) 2. Mix while starting to slowly add water
3. Mix until you form dough into a ball. * If too sticky add small more flour and if too flaky add a
- by matthew w. -
little more water.
Without you my heart is heavy, stomach churns, get the vernors ready 4. When you find the right consistency form into ball and set in the bowl. Cover with a tea towel
Like you it puts me at ease, not thinking of that mitten-freeze, that kind that drops the and sit for 15 minutes.
leaves, that shakes the knees, cannot run, cannot walk, face so cold, cant even talk 5. While waiting for the dough, start getting your toppings ready!
But no, you rid me away of that all so I can take that stroll, through the tunnel of trees 6. Scratch your coconut
late in the fall 7. If youre using mince- cook it first time. Cut up onions peppers lettuce or any toppings that you
Maizes and blues, autumn oranges and reds, oh how these colors spread, filling my want to add to make your pizza delicious!
eyes, the rocks and the ryes 8. Depending on the size of your frying pan or how thick you want your pizza crust to be you can
Like the sun in its rise, on our HOMES in late July and June, you give me warmth like either use the full dough or use half for one pizza half for another.
its rays on a sleeping bear dune, giving me comfort to sing this tune 9. Roll out your dough on the cutting board with the wine or tusker bottle then transfer to your fry-
My bridge is ending, the lines remaining are few, I wish you knew how much this
ing pan and make it fit on the bottom of the pan. DO NOT ADD OIL to the pan. Cook it dry!
ending is true
10. Milk your coconut on top and add your toppings!
So take this last advice, an offering without price, drink it up with your breakfast stout
11. Cover your frying pan with a lid and cook for 10 to 15 minutes!
vice and its auburn hue
12. Wahlah! Delicious and easy to make pizza!
If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you
13. Eat and enjoy ;)
And if you seek a pleasant friend, find one whose name begins with A times two

34 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 35

 { aelan kuk buk }
AELAN KUK BUK Polish Drop Dumplings aaron h.
community health
ambrym island

Pajeon elizabeth a.
ingredients:


2 cups flour or 14-16 spoonfuls
1-1 1/2 cup water/milk

Korean Green Onion Pancake

Literacy project 1/2 tablespoon or 1/2 spoonful of baking powder
ambae island 1 egg (optional)
Dash of salt/pepper (optional)

Green onions are one of the easiest things to grow.

Grow some and make this simple but delicious recipe!
directions:
1. Mix all ingredients together except water/milk in a bowl.
2. Add water at 1/2 cup increments, mixing well before adding more water.
Once it becomes a solid mass but is still sticky, put it aside and let it rise for 10-15 minutes. This is
a good time to start your fire/charcoal stove.
3. Bring a saucepan of water to boil.
4. Flour your fingers and rip the dumplings from the rest of the mixture. They can be whatever shape

ingredients: you want.

5. Once the dumpling floats, remove from the boiling water and mix with any ingredient you wish.
1 cup flour Or, you can boil these dumplings into a soup you are making and it makes the soup a heartier
1 cup water meal.
1 tsp salt


1 beaten egg
Green onions Hilikers Pasta Stuff Recipe
ingredients:
2 cups flour or 14-16 spoonfuls
Water/milk
Pajeon is good dipped in sauce - my favorite is sweet and 1 egg (optional)
sour or chili, but soy sauce mixed with vinegar is more traditional. Dash of salt/pepper (optional)

directions: directions:
1. Mix all ingredients together except water/milk in a bowl.
1. Put flour and salt in a bowl, whisk in the water 2. Add water at 1/2 cup increments, mixing well before adding more water.
2. Oil pan *Dont add too much water or they will turn into dumplings.
3. Coat green onions in batter 3. Once most of the flour has mixed together, pour out onto a flat surface for kneading.
4. Put coated green onions in the pan close together, then use bat- 4. Kneed for the next 5-10 minutes until the mixture comes together and is no longer sticky, but taut.
ter to fill in the gaps Let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This is a good time to start your fire/charcoal stove and get water
5. After 1-2 minutes, pour the beaten egg on top boiling.
6. After 1-2 minutes more, flip 5. Flour your flat surface, rolling pin object, and fingers. Be very liberal with flour.
6. Cut dough into fourths and roll out as flat as you can.
7. Cook 2-3 minute again
7. Then, you can cut into any shape you want. I often make strips and make a fettuccine type pasta
8. Cut diagonally using a sharp knife because I can never cut the strips thin enough.
*You can also fill the little pockets with cooked vegetables, cooked pumpkin or tin tuna to make
a ravioli. But in making a ravioli, I have found making an egg wash (1 part egg to 1 part water)
around edges of pasta makes it stick together.
8. Once you cut the pasta, be liberal with flour or the noodles will stick together and make a big
blob again. Since these are fresh noodles they wont take long to cook. Once they float to the top
(or ~2-3 min) they will be cooked and ready for your enjoyment.
9. Mix in whatever toppings you like and enjoy!
36 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 37
 CRAFTING with carl carl r.
Literacy project
santo island

how to make a stained how to make a wooden

glass window christmas tree
We moved into a new house on our campus, here
That time of year has come again.
in Vanuatu. We love that there is a much bigger
Now that we are all in the Southern
backyard, where I will be doing lots of crafting and
hemisphere where it is summer time,
gardening. Unfortunately, the shower window is nothing here reminds us of what home is
clear glass and looks right onto the next houses supposed to feel like for Christmas.
back porch, so I decided I was going to get crafty. So, I decided I would make a Christmas tree.
One of Krista and my past times is walking on the beach, clich I know, but
really we like to go beach exploring, and look for cool shells and sea glass. Materials:
Back in the States, Krista made jewellery and sold her stuff at farmers markets. Hammer
So being here in Vanuatu, I thought why not go down to one of our beaches Nails
and collect some sea glass. Wood
About 35 to 40 round pieces of wood ranging from 2 feet to 5 inches
(branches).
One thicker piece that is approximately 6 inches long and 2 inches thick
(trunk)
One thicker piece approx. 1.5 ft long, cut in half (base)
Materials: *Just go out and cut a couple bushes down with your bush knife and you
Shells should have enough
Sea Glass
Clear Silicone STEPS:
1. Build the base:
- With your thicker piece of wood that is approx. 1.5 ft long, carefully cut
it in half
- Carefully cut a 2-inch notch into the center of the round side of both
halves with your bush knife.
STEPS: - Lay the two pieces on top each other like a cross and nail them to the
1. Go on an exploration for sea glass. Sea glass is found on beaches near bottom of the cut piece of the trunk.
places people use to throw trash into the ocean. 2. Build the branches:
2. Take the glass off the window and lay out your design. Be sure to mark - Organise your branch pieces from longest to shortest. With about three
pieces at a time, cross them and nail them together.
where the edges are so when it comes time to put your window back, it will
- Once nailed together with the nail sticking out the bottom, nail them to
slide back in. Make sure that there are not too many shells, because shells the trunk.
do not let light threw. - Repeat this step until you run out of wood.
3. Glue the stuff on. This is time consuming, but all DIY projects are. Take your 3. Decorate your tree:
time and make sure you get all the pieces. Let it sit for about 12 hours, I like - Find shells on the beach or sea glass to decorate your tree.
to do gluing at night so it will be done when I wake up in the morning. - If you can find some battery lights, place them around the tree.
4. Place presents under the tree!
4. Put the window back in, and voila! You have a beautiful piece of art that
your friends will like too, serving two purposes.
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas this year and next year you can
create a tree of your own. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

38 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 39


se
We all hear it - the crazy kastom stories that are often ridiculous to the point
of absurdity; the weirdest questions that are asked very seriously, often under
the shelter of a nakamal; the advice that seems absolutely unfounded and yet...
wanem?!
sometimes proves to be true. This column is dedicated to documenting some of
the strangeness we encounter in our PC service.
Feel free to submit your share of weirdness/hilarity for the next issue!
A woman got breast cancer from a milipod bite
on her finger.
My mom told me to cook because she was on her
period and if she touched the food she would
make the men very very sick.
I am not allowed to hang my bras outside at night
because that will give me breast cancer.
If you touch nangalat, one natural remedy is to
rub the affected area against a pikininis strong
hair.
If youre cleaning out nangalat and it accidentally
brushes against you, you must immediately tell the
nangalat yu no kakae me, bae mi givim brata o
sista blo mi lo yu and it wont kakae yu.
If you want your chicken to get nice and fat, you
must pull out its tail feathers.
If your puppy isnt growing well, you must cut off
a piece of its tail to let out the rabis blad. (This
actually worked!)
The natural remedy for aching joints is to kakae
puskat o dog.
If a mama goes to the garden too much during
pregnancy, the pikinini will be hyperactive.
My 8 y/o neighbor is a supposed miracle worker
of boilers. He is constantly asked to visit peoples
homes to touch their boilers because they kam
gud immediately after his visits.
Apparently swishing your urine around in your
mouth is a way to relieve the pain of a toothache.
George Bush is from Santo because the name
Bush refers to Santo bush. Obama is also from
Santo because he is black.
Someone asked me if there are dinosaurs where
I live.
40 THE VANUATU AMERICAN
If its raining when someone dies, it means their
death was caused by black magic.
A mama should eat shark when she is pregnant
to make her baby strong (not a good idea,
mercury poisoning!).
If you burn your cats whiskers and spread the
ashes on your roof, it wont run away.
I met an albino named Albinos.
If you dont properly dispose of your hair after
you cut it (i.e. bury it, burn it, throw into the
ocean, flush down the toilet), you will get a
headache if a rat finds it and eats it.
You cant feed a pig too many coconuts or else its
meat will be too oily.
Biting your tongue around a nest of hornets will
keep the hornets from stinging you.
One of my students essays: Taro is important
because it gives us power and life. Without taro,
we will die. You hear that? DIE.
The church song Jesus is the winner man, Satan
is the loser man and the dance moves that go
with it - so great!
Oldfala: Gudfala fren blo Jacob i stap lo Teiti
naoia.
Me: Wanem?
Oldfala: Obama. Hemi stap lo Teiti.
Me: Haiti?
Oldfala: Yes, Teiti.
There is a small pikinini boy in my village who
has light skin and hair (possibly albino). The other
pikinini said his name was Pis Kop. Of course
I didnt believe them so I went and asked him
directly what his name was. He said Pis Kop.
(... hopefully my hearing is off or else this naming
pikinini after Peace Corps Volunteers trend is
getting really out of hand.)
Advert: Guest Teachers for
Wan Smolbag Literacy Class!
Ever find yourself in Port Vila, maybe for a bit longer than you expected, and
think, I wish there was something fantastic I could do with my spare time LAURA J.
that relates to my sector and has an impact on the population of Port Vila? Literacy project
EFATE ISLAND
Maybe youre a former camp counselor who loves a chaotic environment and
has some cool save to share? You may just be interested in learning more
about whats going on at the Wan Smolbag Yut Senta because youve heard so many wonderful things about
it. Whatever your tinktink have no fear, Ive got the perfect solution to any overtime youre spending in Vila
come teach a guest workshop or lesson at Wan Smolbag!
During my extension year I have been based with the Literacy
Class at Wan Smolbag and they would sincerely appreciate and
welcome the help of any volunteer who has some knowledge
to share. To give you a little background, the literacy class
is comprised of kids age 6-14 who are no longer in formal
school. The kids come to the class Monday Friday from
7:30 11 to take part in play-based, Montessori-esq activities
that are guided by short lessons by the teachers. Its a flexible
environment with a diverse range of literacy and behavioral
characteristics but its a good time and Im not sure you could
find a group of kids more excited for guests to visit! The
teachers appreciate it too as they have a big responsibility with
the class size currently floating around 30. All lessons are taught
in Bislama.
Each month the lessons are guided by a theme, which simply
creates a platform for which the teachers create new lessons,
field trips and extra activities. Below you will find the schedule
of themes for this year. If youre coming through Vila at a certain
time and are interested in putting together a small lesson or
workshop, simply follow these steps:
1. Find out the theme for the month youre interested in
2. Contact my counterpart, Veronique (Jcveronique24@gmail.com / 5611333)
3. Contact the Youth Center Manager Rik Hinton (rhinton@wansmolbag.org)
4. Let your PM/PTS know of your plans and get the O-K
If you have something to share that isnt on theme, thats OK too! All new knowledge is welcome and
encouraged as long as it comes with a bit of patience and a lot of energy. Wan Smolbag is great and I would
love to hear of more Peace Corps connections with them in the future. (:
SCHEDULE OF THEMES:
APRIL Environment
MAY Health
JUNE Solar System / Weather
JULY Independence
AUGUST Disaster Risk Reduction
SEPTEMBER Our World / World Peace
OCTOBER Music
NOVEMBER Celebrations / Sports
APRIL 2017 41
 WORD SEARCH, YAY! elizabeth a.
Literacy project
ambae island
Some puzzles and sillies
just for kicks and giggles!
for funsies!
In The EASY sudoku so punny it hurts
Bush
BAMBOO
BEE
BLACK PALM
BULLOCK
FLYING FOX
LIZARD
NABANGA
NANGGALOT
NATANGURA
PIGEON
SNAKE
SPIDER
VINE
WILD PIG

In The hard sudoku

Sea
CLAM
CORAL
CRAB
DOLPHIN
DUGONG
EEL
FISH
OCTOPUS
SALT
SEA CUCUMBER
SHARK
SHELL
STARFISH
TURTLE
WAVE

42 THE VANUATU AMERICAN APRIL 2017 43

 share your awesomeness!
Anyone can write for The VanAm! Share your wealth of knowledge, experience,
creativity, advice, and humor. You can submit any of the following, and more:

ISLAND GUIDES CROSSWORD PUZZLES CHALLENGES

CURRENT EVENTS KASTOM STORIES FUNNY HAPPENINGS
THINK PIECES COMICS/DOODLES COLORING PAGES
SUCCESS STORIES PHOTOS/DRAWINGS SONGS
FAILURE REPORTS FASHION TIPS GAMES
HOW-TO GUIDES ARTS & CRAFTS IDEAS POETRY
LIFE ADVICE CHALLENGES JOKES
RECIPES WORKOUTS ... AND WHATEVER ELSE!

Contact Editor-in-Chief Frances (5627594 // 7777702) or any other VanAm staff

member with your ideas or email directly to VanuatuAmerican@gmail.com.

ion

deadline for next issue is june 30th

d o s e o f i n s p i r a t
a There are no promises. Look deeply at joy
and sorrow, at laughing and crying, at hoping
and fearing, at all that lives and dies. What
truly heals is gratitude and tenderness.
- Amy Poehler -
There is nothing heavier than compassion.
Not even ones own pain with someone, for
someone, a pain intensified by the imagination
and prolonged by a hundred echoes.
- Milan Kundera -
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Every person faces resistance when trying
to create something good. Resistance, a kind
of feeling that comes against you when you
point toward a distant horizon, is a sure sign
that you are supposed to do the thing in the
first place. The harder the resistance, the more
important the task must be.
- Donald Miller -
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
We can only be said to be alive in those
moments when our hearts are conscious
of our treasures.
- Thorton Wilder -
Todays world demands that you be a
protagonist of history, because life is always
beautiful when we choose to live it fully, when
we choose to leave a mark.
- Pope Francis -
In your lifes journey, there will be excitement
and fulfillment, boredom and routine, and
even the occasional train wreck... but when
you have picked a dream that is bigger than
you personally, that truly reflects the ideals
that you cherish, and that can positively affect
others, then you always have another reason
for carrying on.
- Pamela Melroy -
Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let
others argue over small things, but not you.
Let others cry over small hurts, but not you.
Let others leave their future in someone elses
hands, but not you.
- Jim Rohn -
Act boldly and unseen forces
will come to your aid.
- Dorthea Brande -

44 THE VANUATU AMERICAN