By: Brandon Nicholas, G32 Vanuatu
My name is Branden Nicholas and I am a current G32 Peace Corps volunteer here on the amazing island of Espiritu Santo. I am currently serving as a community health volunteer working primarily with my counterpart and clinic staff at Vulesepe Health Center. Living in such a rural area has granted me the opportunity to learn and experience many new things.
Currently I am most excited about the project I am working on fundraising for which aims to create a dedicated postnatal recovery room at our health center. Myself along with my community members began clearing an old cement tank and preparing to level the ground for the extension to the clinic.
Recently I also was able to co-facilitate a training on wound packing, general health, and hygiene for community members on the island of Tutuba.
Living in a more remote region of Vanuatu has also come with some new culinary skills. I have learned how to steam a cake from scratch, no oven needed! I also am lucky enough to have a site near the water which has allowed me to immerse myself into my water related hobbies such as fishing, diving, surfing, and more. This also has served as a great bonding activity with my host family as I was able to cut a canoe from scratch with them which we often use to catch fish.
Overall, as my service begins to come to a close I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to become a volunteer in such a beautiful country. It is an amazing place and I am honored to have been of assistance to the health center and regional health ministries alike.
Tankyu Tumas!
Best,
Branden