Scouting activity in Vanuatu increases

Scouting activity is continuously increasing in different parts of Vanuatu with much help from Scouts Australia.

In mid August last year, the Scout Association of Vanuatu (SAV) welcomed the Australian Youth Ambassador for Development for the six-month volunteer program in Vanuatu. Since this time, the Association has strengthened communication between leaders of different Scout groups due to increased contact. Previously, each group was acting more or less independently, but now the groups are working together.

In the past three months, three official leaders’ meetings were conducted. The most recent one was the Leaders’ Training course in Eton on October 2010 led by SAV Chairman Abel Nako who was assisted by the Commissioner for Malampa Province and other experienced leaders. The course gathered a total of 35 leaders, many of which were leaders from the new groups who are helping to expand Scouting in the island.

To create a database of all members of the Association, the functioning Scout groups in Efate (5), Port Vila (4), Shefa Province (3) are using membership cards for a more accurate membership database. SAV is now setting up three new groups in Port Vila (Central School, Wan Smol Bag, Blacksand) and 3 in Shefa Province (Siviri, Pele, Mele Mart).

At the end of September, the 1st Merimbula Venturer Scout group from Scouts Australia visited Vanuatu for 11 days and had joint activities with the local Scouts and Venturers and formed a sister-group partnership with 1st Merimbula and the Scout group at Eton. They donated gears to Scouts in Vanuatu and are keen to maintain strong relationship with the local Scouts and Venturers.

Determined to bring in Scouting at the community level, SAV got involved in many community activities in Port Vila including the Cruising Yacht Club, Big Blue Dive Centre, the Port Vila Fire Brigade and ProMedical, among others. In engaging more with what the community offers, there will be many more opportunities to partake in adventurous activities, which is what Scouting is all about.

Presently, SAV helps the young people here by teaching them life skills, adventurous skills and moral awareness through Scouting, but in the process, is also needing funding in order to operate effectively as they continue to spread Scouting throughout Vanuatu.