Empowering kids in a cyclone ravaged Island in Vanuatu by teaching English & Lifeskills

I am Menaka, from a little place called Wayanad in Kerala, India.

3 years back, it is by chance that I got into the space of teaching. When the local school (mainly for kids who belong to indigenous tribes) requested if I can help them with grooming the kids, I felt very blessed. It has been the best thing that came my way. I believe that education is not confined to languages or science or math. Education is about sharing experiences, mutual learning and adding value to each other. My wish is to open up the mind's of the next generation to the possibilities of the world. Especially, those who do not have access to high end technology and communications. The kids I teach are from poor economic background but they are the most spirited & ambitious ones. They play in puddles, their clothes are dirty from rolling around in the mud, their books aren't well kept, and most of them haven't even seen a smart phone. But they have a brilliant mind that is unexploited yet. Their imagination and creativity makes me spell bound.

I have been working in the space of community development and humanitarian issues for many years now.

Few months back I heard from a friend about this little Island called Vanuatu, in the middle of Pacific Ocean. Vanuatu was ravaged by cyclone Pam in 2015, and many of the 83 islands are still struggling to recover.

Most Islands do not have easy access to basic necessities and life is pretty basic. One such Island is the Pentecost where I would be working in the local school that has shortage of teachers. I teach kids English as well as help them with mental/physical activities for self development. I also teach life skills.

All of the funds raised will go exclusively for this purpose. I plan to spend 4 weeks in Pentecost in October 2019. It would be 5 hours of teaching every day during the week and I get the weekend off.

This would be an opportunity that would test my resilience to the maximum as this would be the farthest from home that I would be, in a small island where I do not know anyone, amenities are basic and life would be as natural as it can be. I am very excited to be with this remote community and help them with day to day life.

Latano is a village that completely depends on sustainable living methods. There is no running water. They harvest rain water for day to day usage. Food is mostly grown locally.

I will be able to update more pictures from Vanuatu only once I go there. Hopefully I will be able to raise enough funds for this purpose. I believe in personal touch in everything I do. Your help would be much appreciated and I promise that it will reach the rightful people .Thank you!