Making a difference in Vanuatu

Sixteen Year 13 students from Christchurch Adventist School in New Zealand helped restore a much-used school dining hall during an 11-day community service trip to Vanuatu.

The students volunteered at Matevulu College, Santo’s largest public high school, which accommodates 600 Year 11–13 boarding students from across Vanuatu. Built in 1982, the school has fallen into serious disrepair due to limited funding.

Principal Henry Wass welcomed the offer of help and asked the team to restore the dining hall, which is also used for assemblies, worship programs and prizegiving ceremonies.

The team painted the hall inside and out, made new window frames, replaced louvres and glass panes, installed protective wire mesh and repainted a feature mural. Local helpers continued working for five days after the group’s departure to complete the project.

*One of their projects was repainting the school’s feature mural.*

School chaplain Pastor Lance Boulton said the students showed an impressive willingness to serve, recognising the difference a refreshed, fit-for-purpose hall would make for those using it.

Many students had been apprehensive about travelling, but later shared that the experience helped them face their fears and trust God through changes to their plans.

Beyond the restoration work, students shared and sang at a church service and a special concert. When invited to sing at a morgue for the family of a pastor who died during the trip, the team willingly offered comfort.

“Throughout the trip they remained positive, focused on serving and supported one another,” Pastor Boulton said.

Reflecting on the trip, student Ahava said: “We went thinking we had the humility to serve, but left utterly humbled by the way we had been served.”

Christchurch Adventist School offers an overseas service trip for its Year 13 students each year.