Volunteer Base, Education & Sewing Centre
Up until the border closed in 2020, we would usually send volunteers to Vanuatu between May and November each year. Despite the drastic need, it is only possible to send volunteers during those months due to cyclone season and duty of care. We are not being able to offer a level of safety that would give leaders or families the confidence we understand is needed. However, the range of services now being offered by Bridging Health volunteers, combined with the increasing number of partners (communities, villages, health facilities and schools), has brought us to a key point of development.

We now need to provide Cyclone Proof accommodation for our volunteers all year round to continue to provide the level of commitment, care and support for the increasing health of our community partners.  The Base is designed to accommodate up to 10 volunteers, in comfortable (and cyclone proof) accommodation. This means that doctors, allied health professionals, specialists and nurses can stay for months instead of weeks, all year round, visiting current village partners and establishing new partenrships and projects. Community development teams, dedicated to larger projects will also be able to stay all year round, allowing for a great deal more to be achieved.

Bridging Health Education & Sewing Centre
The Volunteer Base will also be home to the Bridging Health Education & Sewing Centre, vital components of the next stage of progress. The Base will become the Centre of Education and Training on Tanna Island, and fpor mentors being trained for delievreing health education and workshops for the smaller island neighbours. It will also offer a place for training and upskilling women in sewing and other skills that will offer income-producing opportunities. The Bridging Health Education & Sewing Centre will also act as a category 5 cyclone shelter for those in close proximity.