Communications Threatens The Remote Tropical Islands Of Vanuatu.
Posted on July 17, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized |
Communications
brings changes to the paradise of the remote tropical islands of Vanuatu. But is the change to the better or not?
Hollywood DVDs and TV give one portrayal of
the wider world communities. If this is your only connection to that world,
imagine the impact on knowledge levels when access to a mobile phone is provided.
Your views of life on the screen and your immediate neighborhood will be
changed forever.
In the archipelago of Vanuatu,
with its 83 tropical islands spread over a distance of 700 plus kilometres,
communication has not always been easy, because of the distances between remote
communities.
Now the first ever, large new shiny
billboards tower high above the heads of the people, who for the most part move
around on foot only. Riding in cars,
flying in planes or moving in trains, is beyond their meagre means of income.
The oral history of Vanuatu,
has been passed down from generation to generation. Song, dance, carving and sand drawing were
used to pass down the ancient traditions of important family and community
tales, expertise and genealogy.
In the past the weather has played an
important role in the intermingling of ideas between the islands. Suitable
conditions were needed for the outrigger canoes to make the deep ocean
crossings over the horizon to distant islands. Until now, modern telecommunications have
not come to these remote islands.
These technologies have proved difficult
and expensive to install in the outer regions. Consequently the Vanuatu
government focussed its systems on the main island
of Efate.
Only random villages on the outer islands were provided with a single solar
powered telephone. The President of Torba Provincial Council has to go from
Sola to Gaua to make just one telephone call to the capital, Port Vila.
The isolation on these islands has bred a
strong identification with the islands, especially by the men. A man will
introduce himself according to his home island ? ?Man Ambrym’, ?Man Gaua’, ?Man
Pentecost’. Women too will give a family history according to birthplace “My
mother is from Pentecost and my father’s family is from Sola?.
In the 21st century the young
people are more dispersed across the islands and communications with family
members is limited and difficult. In many parts of Vanuatu
?no-cash’ economies exist. Putting together the cash to purchase the phone and
the phone card is difficult. And there is no guarantee that a phone system is
available.
In 2008, the Vanuatu
government opened the country to competition in the telecommunications
industry. Previously what communications were available, were under the control
of only one company, which led to a very expensive monopoly.
The new player in the telecommunication
field has turned Vanuatu
on its head. Now promising a nation-wide coverage, cheap phones and cheap
top-up schemes, but only with their company. It has always been the dream of the people
of Torba
Province
since Independence
27 years ago that they might get a phone system.
The impact of the new telecommunications
will change the lives of the Ni-Vanuatu people. For the first time people from
the width and breadth of Vanuatu
will be able to talk to each other. The impact on communities will, however, be
both positive and negative.
Family communications will be improved and
contacts maintained. Knowledge will be accessed across wide distances. For
example, the ladies will know what produce to send to market. The central
hospital will be able to provide improved medical support by phone links. Everyone has embraced the new technology,
but in particular the young. This technology savvy generation will be able to
access friends all over the islands.
Demands on families will increase with the
need to find money to top up the phone cards. The mobility of the youth will
see groups gathering at pre-arranged meeting points. The social structure of Vanuatu,
already in a state of flux, will be further altered.
One of the challenges for Vanuatu
is to utilize the technology for the development of its people. The youth need
to get beyond the gimmicks of the technology and realize the educational gains
to be had.
For Vanuatu
to move forward in the 21st century, the young need the ability to
earn an income and be able to clearly communicate in the business world too.
In the remote northern islands of the Torba
Province,
business men such as Chief Charles Bice, owner of a guest house, is hopeful of
an improved service. “My guests cannot get through to book
and this is not good for my business?.
Traditionally the Vanuatu
government’s position on Torba
Province
is that the province is not economically productive. Consequently in late 2007
the government admitted that it was unable to provide educational resources and
support to the remote, northern islands.
On these remote islands, a village school
can be a few wooden benches outside a hut at the end of the clearing. There are
no chairs so children squat on their haunches. Pages are torn from exercise
books to be shared for writing practice. Pencils are broken into three. Reading
is done by the teacher or the book is passes from child to child as there are
not enough to go around.
Education in Vanuatu
does not reach all children. Education is not free. For many education remains
beyond the realm of their meagre or no incomes.
The awful consequences of this are:
-
only 55.8% of Vanuatu
kids will get to grade 6;
-
of those only 18.2% will go to high
school ;
-
26% will never go to school at all.
Rick and Wendy Tendys, the founders of
,
as well as the lives of these children.
You can be part of this exciting project that
will help the next generation to keep an informed balance. It is not enough to
have modern gimmicks if you do not have the wider education to go along with
it.
About the author
Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEOs of YouMe Support
Foundation YouMe Support Foundation providing non-repayable high school education grants for children
who will never have the opportunity to have an education without outside
assistance.
This is once in a life time Blue Moon Opportunity for
someone to own their own private holiday home, plus 6 luxury holiday units,
while assisting these children to gain an education. Check it out at: Win a Resort.
Tags: ancient traditions, archipelago, billboards, deep ocean, distant islands, generation to generation, island man, knowledge levels, modern telecommunications, ocean crossings, outer islands, outer regions, outrigger canoes, port vila, provincial council, song dance, suitable conditions, tropical islands, vanuatu government, world communities
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