In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand Issue 2 | Page 29

Small club takes
on big projects
Vanuatu is deemed by the United Nations as the most at-risk country
in the world when it comes to vulnerability to natural disasters and
its ability to respond and recover from them.
But that hasn’t stopped one of District 9980’s smallest
clubs rising to some of the biggest challenges: building
up to cyclone standards and improving the island
nation’s water and sanitation, as well as providing
precious educational resources, health advice, sewing
machines and technology … all the while, quite literally,
bringing music to the ears of the people of Vanuatu (NiVanuatu).

of Rotarians – seven from the Rotary Club of Dunedin
North and one from the Rotary Club of Waitakere – set
off to the village of Votlo, situated on the South Pacific
nation’s Epi Island, in May.

With a Rotary Foundation WASH (water, sanitation,
and hygiene) grant behind them, an eight-strong team

“Working and living in the village is an eye-opener – and
one you don’t forget in a hurry. Daily life in Votlo was

Team leader Les Wilson, of Dunedin North, says the
mission was as memorable and rewarding as it was
challenging.

Working and living in the
village is an eye-opener ...”
Les Wilson,
project manager

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