VOLUNTEER IN VANUATU

The culture here is really welcoming. Oh, and your neighbors are all related, even if they’re not really. You’ll live right next to someone’s auntie, and a family friend who isn’t really an uncle, but everyone calls him that anyway. Welcome to the family! Though you’ll be living in a house with your fellow volunteers, it’s not hard to be close to your friendly neighbors. The people here are a huge part of your ILP experience. Ni-Vans are known to be the “happiest people in the world”, focused on family and community. Because you’ll be moving into that tight-knit community, you’ll be expected to follow the local customs and island traditions found here in this village. 

Alright, onto breakfast. Your group gets a stipend for breakfast so you all sit out on the balcony, soaking up the tropical views while you eat freshly baked bread and local fruit. Yum! You have some free time after breakfast to do some exploring. You’re not teaching until the afternoon, so plenty of time to hop on a minibus to explore a new corner of the island. Before class, some cute “local mamas” cook up some lunch before you need to leave. You’ll eat lots of classic island staples like rice, eggs, chicken, hot dogs, fish, fresh fruits and veggies (like avocado, pineapple, papaya, cucumber, and tomato). Another popular dish? Yams wrapped in banana leaves and cooked deep in the ground. Then, that’s all drizzled with coconut milk. These sweet ladies will also be cooking your dinner, so you’ll have a real taste of the local culture with every local meal. Anything imported is really expensive, so plan on having meals made with ingredients that can be grown on the island. 

Your whole group teaches at a nearby school, which is converted from someone’s house. It’s a very short walk, and the kids are so excited when you get there. In fact, they’re already begging for a day at the beach after class ends. The beach is just a five minute walk from the school so that’s hard to say “no” to! The classrooms are really open-air, with no A/C, mats to sit on instead of desks and chairs, and clear views of the ocean, especially from the small playground. That playground is made up of old tires, and a tin roof pavilion. The people here are so resourceful and have become self-sufficient with what the island has to offer. Many families live off their gardens, selling some of their organic fruit and veggies at little roadside stands you’ll see all over the islands (which is a huge perk for you). 

While you have free time during the week, your weekends off mean time for so many adventures. Your island is crammed full of the best of the best in Vanuatu. We’re talking turquoise lagoons, and kayaking the coastline for hidden coves, spotting turtles along the way. Plus, soooooo many pretty beaches. The water here is unbelievably clear, a bright aqua that doesn’t look real. You’ll have vacation days too, but think you’ll want to explore all Efate has to offer.

Teaching English in Vanuatu goes so far. One of the main languages of the island nation is Bislama. It’s a creole language based in English with some French influence. Bislama’s an important part of the culture, but there is also quite a bit of English on the island, too. In Vanuatu, classes are taught in both languages, but there’s a catch. In school, classes are mostly taught in the primary language (English) but Bislama is used to help make sure the class understands what’s being taught. That all changes in 4th grade. Then, classes are entirely in English and no Bislama is used. Can you imagine having classes in one language, then suddenly switching around 10 years old? These kiddos are often unprepared when they make the switch, which tends to contribute to a high drop out rate. Through ILP classes, you’ll be teaching young kids as a part of an after school English program, giving them a head start for when they start English classes in the 3rd grade. 

ILP classes are built on a one-on-one teaching method, a rarity in this country where there is a teacher shortage. To put it bluntly, there are simply not enough teachers. In some schools, a single teacher is trying to teach three full classrooms at the same time. They’re running between the rooms and giving students as much attention as one person can. Because ILP volunteers focus on smaller groups, students get more individual time with a teacher, which is not only unique, but incredibly valuable to these kids. There’s also a chance volunteers will be able to step into schools as a teacher’s aide. 

Teaching is always a huge part of the ILP experience. Many alumni say that it’s the hardest but most rewarding part of their semester. That is certainly the case in Vanuatu. The teacher shortage, young ages, backgrounds, cultural nuances, and language experience all contribute to a challenging teaching experience. You’ll receive teacher training before departure but this is something Vanuatu volunteers should be aware of.

Why is the program fee higher here? Unlike the Exchange Program, the families of the children you work with will not be helping to subsidize your costs. All the children you are working with come from very limited means, and the service you provide is completely free for them. Thank you for wanting to provide the best care and service for these kids by volunteering in this humanitarian program.

Interested in other ways you’re needed? Compare ILP’s Humanitarian Programs here.