I come from Melbourne, Australia, but a part of my heart has lived in Vanuatu since 2014. I first arrived for what was meant to be an 11-month volunteer placement in oral health, but the sense of community here drew me in so deeply that I stayed for four years.

Even after I left to work on yachts around the world, I stayed involved with Medical Sailing Ministries, supporting oral health programmes from afar. Through our school toothbrushing programmes and national surveys, we began to see change. We were excited when Evatt joined because we learned she was a trained medical doctor and had a real passion for public health.

Evatt

I’m from Ambae, and I grew up surrounded by an extended family – all living and learning together. I studied medicine and returned home to Vanuatu to serve. I started working at Vila Central Hospital before moving into public health, where I eventually became involved in oral health programmes.

That’s how I came to work alongside Debra and her organisation, even before I met her in person. My work took me into schools, teaching children how to brush their teeth and helping build healthier habits from a young age as an oral health survey had revealed over 40 per cent of people never brushed their teeth.

Debra

I remember the first time I properly met Evatt – I could tell straight away that she was the right person to help drive the program forward.

But during one of our meetings, we learned she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The news hit me hard. I had lost my younger sister to breast cancer years earlier, and I understood the journey that lay ahead of her.

Evatt

When I was diagnosed, my world shifted completely. One moment I was planning programmes and thinking about work, and the next, I was trying to figure out where I would go for treatment because it wasn’t possible in Vanuatu. That same week, I met Debra for the first time.

We had never spoken face-to-face before, but by the end of the meeting, I told her about my diagnosis. She offered me a place to stay in Melbourne if I chose Australia for treatment.

Just like that. No hesitation. No conditions. That moment lifted a huge weight off me. For the first time since my diagnosis, I felt like there was a path forward.

Debra

I knew treatment options in Vanuatu were limited, and I also knew how isolating it could be to face such a diagnosis, even in your own country. I had a spare room in Melbourne, close to major hospitals. It felt like the simplest thing in the world to offer it to her.

When Evatt accepted the offer, everything became real. She arrived in Melbourne with her husband, leaving her children behind in the care of family for six months while she underwent treatment – hospital visits, long days and the emotional toll. But there was also laughter, shared meals and moments of quiet understanding.

What struck me most was Evatt’s resilience. She faced everything with courage and grace, even in a foreign country, far from her children.

Evatt

Living in Debra’s home didn’t feel like being a guest, it felt like being cared for by family. She made sure we had our independence, helping us get transport cards and phones so we could move around on our own.

She never made us feel like a burden. That meant everything to me. During such a vulnerable time, having that sense of dignity and space made a huge difference. Of course, there were hard days. Treatment takes a toll, not just physically, but mentally. But knowing someone is there supporting you, makes those days easier to face.

Debra

What started as a professional relationship quickly grew into something much deeper. When Evatt returned to Vanuatu after her treatment, we stayed connected and I found myself becoming part of her extended family. Her children began calling me “Bubu Deb,” and every time I visited, I was welcomed with open arms.

There were family dinners, celebrations, and even weddings. For someone whose own family lives far away in Australia, finding that sense of belonging here has been incredibly special. It reminds me that family isn’t always about where you come from, it’s about the connections you build along the way.

Evatt

When I came back home, life slowly returned to a new normal. I continued working in public health and our oral health programmes kept growing. Debra became part of our family in every sense. She fits in so naturally speaking Bislama, sharing meals, laughing with everyone. She doesn’t just visit; she connects. That’s who she is.

When she came to Vanuatu for my wedding last year, it meant so much – not just to me, but to my entire family. They had heard about her, about everything she had done for us, and they welcomed her like one of their own.

Debra

Working together, we’ve achieved things that truly matter, especially in oral health. The school toothbrushing program has been one of our biggest successes, empowering and helping children build habits that will last a lifetime.

But like many programs, we’ve faced challenges of funding, resources and reaching remote communities. Still, we keep going because we know the impact it can have.

For me, though, the greatest achievement isn’t just the work we’ve done, it’s the relationship we’ve built. It’s rare to meet someone whose strength and kindness leave such a lasting impression.

Evatt

The work continues, and so do the challenges. We still struggle with resources, staffing and sustainability. But we’ve made progress, oral health is now recognised as an important part of public health in Vanuatu.

Our programs are reaching more schools, more children and more families. And every time I see a child learning to brush their teeth properly, I know we’re making a difference. But beyond the work, what stays with me is the reminder that even in the hardest moments, kindness can change everything.

Debra

If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that small acts of kindness can have far-reaching impacts. Offering a room in my home felt like a simple decision at the time, but it became something so much more.

Evatt’s strength, her humour and her dedication to both her family and her work continue to inspire me. She reminds me why I chose this path in the first place. And in the end, what started as a connection through work became something deeper: a friendship, a family and a shared story of resilience that spans oceans.

Evatt

Life doesn’t always go as planned. Sometimes it takes unexpected turns that challenge you in ways you never imagined.

But in those moments, you also discover the goodness in people. You find strength you didn’t know you had, and you build connections that last a lifetime. For me, Debra is more than a colleague. She is family. And our story is proof that even in the face of hardship, something beautiful can grow.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST