Vanuatu

We work with RAM (Rotary Anti Malaria Project) which in conjunction with the Bill Gates Foundation, teaches village communities malaria prevention practices, and in addition donates mosquito nets to needy people throughout the islands (1,200 nets to date). Some of our previous travellers have sponsored a local child’s education, and we can make that easy for you do, should you so decide, when you get out here. We also supply the villages with soccer balls and volleyballs for free for them to keep.

Pascal, our lead guide, has travelled extensively throughout Vanuatu acquiring a vast knowledge of the islands and maintained a unique, indigenous network. Pascal is continually searching and training local, indigenous Vanuatu people in tour management, furthering their understanding and practice of ecotourism throughout the islands.

Meet also Esta, who will be with you throughout your stay:“I am a young 26 year old mother originating from Vao which is a small island to the north of Mallicolo. My village is internationally known for its tradition of woodcarving. My family is heavily involved in the development of education and arts in Vanuatu. Your walking tour finishes in at my home, a good opportunity to drink a traditional kava at the edge of the lagoon with my people, and to also discover the life of a Vanuataise family. I studied in the translation section of the French speaking university so I speak English and French… but also two vernacular languages from Mallicolo and the local language called Bislama.”

On this trip you will spend four days volunteering on the beautiful volcanic island of Tanna, where you will get the opportunity to choose between teaching a class, or helping with various building and renovation projects. This should prove to be the highlight of your trip as you get to interact meaningfully with the local community, and make a positive impact in their lives – although it is likely that you will feel that it is you that has benefited the most from the experience.

A minimum of 10% of our profits goes straight into funding our Community Development volunteer project partners. All costs of materials and administration are included in the trip price, and, where appropriate, we employ expert local craftsmen to handle the tricky parts of repair and renovation work.

We are active in cleaning hiking trails - over 40 of them, and we are active campaigners for a ban on plastic bags and flashlight batteries, and for a deposit system on drink cans, all of which cause great environmental harm in Vanuatu. All our trips are 100% carbon neutral – meaning that even though you don’t book your flights through us, we will pay for the equivalent number of trees to be planted to cancel the CO2 emissions from the flights, and also from the tour vehicles.