For a number of years I’ve had in the back of my mind that I would like to do some voluntary service overseas; putting into practice some of my building and"Mr Fix It Skills." As my friends will vouch, I cannot go into a place without wanting to fix up all the wrongs!

Recently I approached my sons basketball manager who is an architect working for a world church organization. This was with the view that if any projects in the islands were to come up, I would be most interested to find out more about them. Shortly afterwards I had a call from Newland Branham, Area Welfare Manager, telling me that their church was supplying some building materials and other essential items to a particular small island in the Vanuatu group. This island was called Paama. Paama is no more than nine kilometers by 4 kilometers with a population of approximately sixteen hundred people. It is situated between Epi and Ambrym Island and is approximately 130 kilometers north of Port Vila.

A local representative in the church, Pita Sali, had approached
Newland Branham for assistance. The southern part of Paama had bared the full brunt of Cyclone Ivy and had never received any government assistance. In April Newland had visited the Island to access the needs of the community, and it was agreed that they would supply them with some building materials and extra medical needs.