Dear Friends of Vanuatu,
The beginning of this year marked a defining pivot in our organization’s trajectory. Following thoughtful board discussions and valuable feedback from our membership, we made a strategic decision to channel our energy directly into community development. Our focus has shifted toward building deeper relationships with local communities, partner organizations, and Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) to champion grassroots initiatives.
While this operational pivot meant hosting fewer virtual events this year, our core connection to our membership remains unbroken. We continue to look forward to our two hallmark gatherings: the Annual Membership Meeting at the end of May and our festive Annual Holiday Event during the Christmas season. These gatherings remain vital touchpoints for our community to stay bound to Vanuatu and to one another.
Historic Strides in Climate Justice
For those who missed our Annual Membership Meeting in May, we were deeply honored to host Lilieta Soakai, the Narrative and Communications Lead for Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC). She shared the inspiring journey behind the historic, unanimous International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion. This milestone firmly establishes that nations hold binding legal obligations under international law to protect the climate system from anthropogenic greenhouse gas harm.
What began as a grassroots movement spearheaded by law students at the University of the South Pacific in Port Vila culminated in a massive diplomatic victory. Vanuatu proudly led the delegation before the world court. Just this past May, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to operationalize this ruling, passing the resolution with 141 votes in favor and only 8 opposed. It is a truly monumental achievement for a small island nation, and we could not be prouder of Vanuatu’s global leadership.
Turning Strategy Into Action: Three Vital Projects
To guide our new direction, we established a clear strategic plan with a goal to fund two to three projects per year that directly align with our mission. We are thrilled to report that we have successfully funded two community initiatives and have committed to a third.
- Santo Island Maternity Ward ($2,500): Proposed by a Community Health PCV, this project built a dedicated maternity ward at a rural health clinic. Previously, mothers and newborns shared recovery spaces with general patients, exposing them to infectious illnesses. This clean, private space is now complete and providing safe postpartum care for local families.
- Malekula Island Library Restoration ($653): Spearheaded by an Education PCV, this initiative funds the essential structural and resource restoration of a local school library. The project is currently underway.
- Tanna Island Clean Water Facility ($3,100): Our upcoming third project supports a critical Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facility in the community of Tanasul. We have partnered with the Smol Haos Toilet Project (SHTP), an impactful NGO co-founded by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) Lance Nation and Chelsea Bajek. Our $3,100 commitment will fund the purchase and shipping of two large water tanks integrated directly into a new public sanitation facility.
Both of our active PCV initiatives were launched through the Peace Corps Partnership Program. To learn more or make a direct donation to these ongoing efforts, please visit the Peace Corps Partnership Program website.
Looking Ahead
Seeing the tangible difference that PCVs and grassroots organizations are making across the archipelago is incredibly moving. We are deeply grateful to our membership. ; yYour enduring generosity is what allows us to support these meaningful improvements in the daily lives of Ni-Vanuatu communities.
Please keep an eye out for our upcoming Giving Tuesday Campaign, which will launch in the next few weeks! As always, we welcome your ideas, feedback, and active involvement as we continue to support the country and citizens we care for so deeply.
Lukim yu,
Andrew Beltz
FOV2 President