A Vanuatu Teen, an Australian Ally and a Passion for Climate Justice

Jan 19, 2026 | News | 0

Community development leader Polly Banks and teenage climate activist Vepaiamele Trief never imagined that their collaboration would propel local advocacy onto the global stage. Brought together by a shared conviction that young voices can drive climate justice, their partnership has become a powerful force for change. This is their story.

Polly

I have spent most of my professional life working for Save the Children, from remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley Region and the Northern Territory in Australia to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and now Vanuatu. But nothing has wowed me quite like seeing what can happen when you support young people to stand up to the world for what they believe in and to share their own perspective and experience of climate change.

That belief became the foundation of the NextGen Youth Ambassador pilot program in 2023. The program was established around climate advocacy and funded by the Australian NGO Cooperation Program.We wanted to create a platform where children and youth could take the lead in fighting for climate justice as genuine agents of change. That’s how I met Vepaiamele.

Vepaiamele

I think my passion for climate change started when I was in fifth grade at Port Vila International School. Through school debates and public speaking competitions, I began sharing my thoughts on gender equality, women’s rights and climate justice.

So, when UNICEF and Save the Children announced a children’s forum in late 2023, I knew I had to be part of it, so I signed up with my good friend Gabrielle Kaltongga. I never imagined that standing in that room would lead me to become a NextGen Youth Ambassador.

Polly

Despite the scale of my responsibilities as Save the Children’s Country Director (a role which is about to be taken on by local leader Relvie Matariki), I have learned that leadership is not just about managing programs or budgets. It is about recognising potential, nurturing confidence and creating space for others to rise, especially young people whose voices are too often overlooked even though their experiences of issues, for example climate change, are different to the experiences of adults.

The NextGen Youth Ambassador program held a forum where young voices could deliver speeches to their leaders about how climate change is affecting children and youth in the Pacific, and Vepaiamele was truly phenomenal.

Vepaiamele

I still remember the exact day I met Polly on 1st December 2023. I was sitting with other students at the children’s forum, nervously waiting to deliver my speech on climate change. We were all quiet, trying to calm our nerves, when this woman walked over holding a pack of UNO cards and asked if we wanted to play. That was Polly.

I think she could tell that we were a bit nervous before we had to do our speeches, but she told us that when she travelled around Vanuatu, she always played UNO with the kids and they loved it. It might seem like a small moment, but for me, it changed everything. That simple game made me feel comfortable in a room full of leaders and officials.

Polly

Even before Vepaiamele stood to speak, there was something about her presence, quiet confidence, thoughtful energy, a sense that she understood the importance of her voice. When she delivered her speech, it confirmed everything.

She spoke with clarity about how climate change affects children in the Pacific, about stronger cyclones, disrupted schooling, limited access to healthcare. She was able to very articulately showcase how children and young people are disproportionately affected and how their needs must be very specifically considered in the global campaign for climate justice.

Vepaiamele

I remember coming home that day and thinking it was one of the coolest days of my life, attending an event organised by such global organisations. And honestly, looking back, I wonder how different my life would be had I not attended that event, and not met Polly.

The following year, I was invited along with two other young girls, Gabrielle and Malietasi Bulu, to be NextGen Youth Ambassadors with Save the Children. I realised that climate change was not just a global issue, it was personal. It was affecting my family, my friends and my future.

Polly

When it came time to select young ambassadors for international advocacy, we had no hesitation in choosing Vepaiamele. She was selected to join the Vanuatu Government delegation attending the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion in the Netherlands in December 2024, on state obligations regarding climate change. While Vepaiamele didn’t speak inside the ICJ itself, she was the only youth member to accompany any Government around the world and was able to engage extensively in far reaching civil society activities and media opportunities surrounding the historic Advisory Opinion.

Preparing her for that role and joining Vepaiamele and her family at The Hague was one of the most exciting professional experiences of my career. Over a period of six months, Vepaiamele participated in intensive training modules, bringing in climate scientists to explain the technical aspects of climate change, education specialists to build advocacy skills, and media trainers to prepare the youth ambassadors for interviews and press conferences. We wanted them to be confident, informed and resilient in spaces that can often be intimidating even for adults.

Vepaiamele

In the training program, we completed modules where we were educated on the scientific side of climate change, its effects on our region, on gender quality, disability and social inclusion, and its impacts on children and youth.

After we completed all our training, we were each sent to a different event to represent the youth of Vanuatu and the Pacific in the call for climate action. I believe, and I know, that my climate activism, especially through the NextGen Youth Initiative, has changed my life for the better.

Polly

We believed deeply that when children speak about climate change, their words carry a different weight, one that cuts through politics and reaches people’s hearts.

But the truth is, Vepaiamele did not need to be convinced of her own worth. She absorbed everything with enthusiasm, always eager to learn, always ready to grow. Watching her confidence deepen was a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are trusted with responsibility and how powerful it is when we, as adults, make sure we facilitate a platform to enable their voices are carried further.

Vepaiamele

Polly has shaped me more than she probably realises. Watching her lead has taught me that true leadership is not about control—it is about care. She is decisive, organised and driven, but she is also deeply mindful of the well-being of those around her.

She always made sure my education came first, even while supporting my advocacy work. That balance showed me that success does not have to come at the cost of compassion. She had this incredible way of balancing professionalism with warmth. I realised that while the fight for climate justice is serious and demanding, it is also built on relationships, trust and shared hope.

Polly

When Vepaiamele travelled to represent Vanuatu at international climate justice events, I felt a deep sense of pride. Seeing her speak at art exhibitions, participate in documentaries and give interviews to international media – including multiple live TV interviews with major media outlets such as the ABC national live breakfast TV news – showed me that our decision to invest in youth leadership was not only right, but it was also essential.

Working alongside her has been a privilege. She is articulate, composed and deeply passionate about justice. I often tell people that while we provided her with tools, she brought the vision. Supporting her journey has been one of the greatest highlights of my career.

Vepaiamele

Our friendship has made climate activism feel a lot less lonely. There are times when advocating for change feels exhausting when it seems like progress is slow and voices go unheard. But having someone like Polly by my side makes the responsibility lighter and the purpose clearer.

Polly changed my life in ways I can never fully put into words. Because of her belief in me, I now believe more strongly in myself. She’s a superstar and works wonders wherever she goes. I hope she never stops spreading her magic because seriously, the world is lucky to have such an incredible person like her.

Polly

If there is one thing I hope leaders everywhere learn, it is that children’s voices, their ideas, their perspectives and their courage deserve a place at every decision-making table. Vepaiamele embodies that truth, and I am grateful that I get to witness her rise. She is still young and the world is at her feet, I believe she can achieve anything.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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‘The scars children carry can last a lifetime’ August 13, 2026
Amid the public outrage and questions over the President’s recent pardoning of convicted rapists and the alarming increase in child abuse cases in Vanuatu, the REACH Family Centre is calling on Parliament to pass the proposed Child Protection Bill, saying stronger laws are needed to hold people who abuse children accountable. Every day at the REACH Family Centre, Mansen Roy and Salokie Narfi work alongside children experiencing challenges no child should face. Some are struggling with overwhelming stress. Others are navigating violence at home, bullying, online harm and the fear of speaking out. For Narfi, a counsellor and group work practitioner for children and adolescents, the hardest part is seeing how many suffer in silence. “Children want to come for help, but they are scared of the consequences,” she says. “Some are afraid their parents will find out. Others are afraid nobody will believe them.” Using drawing, play therapy and other child-friendly approaches, Narfi helps children express emotions they cannot find the words for. She remembers one child who repeatedly blacked out at school. “Through counselling, the child understood the emotional pain carried,” she says. “The mother also received counselling. Today that child is brighter, more confident and looking forward to the future.” But not every story has such a hopeful ending. Roy, REACH’s Acting Executive Director, says many of the challenges children face are made worse by gaps in protection and understanding. “Violence against children remains one of the biggest issues,” he says. “We should teach, guide and love children,” he says. “Wrong treatment can create trauma that children carry for their whole lives, like a scar that never goes away.” Against this backdrop, REACH is pushing for the proposed Child Protection Bill to reach Parliament and become law. Both Roy and Narfi say the legislation would strengthen their work by creating a clearer approach to responding when children are at risk of serious harm, including sexual abuse. It would also help place children’s wellbeing at the centre of decision-making. “This Bill will support our work in the field,” Mansen says. “The justice system punishes perpetrators, but what about the survivors? Children also need healing, psychological support and protection to move forward into the future.” Narfi says the law would also ensure serious cases of abuse are recognised early and responded to properly. “Children are the future of the country,” she says. “If this Bill passes, we can build a stronger Vanuatu with children who are supported, protected and able to become the future leaders of our nation.” REACH is one of the few organisations in Vanuatu providing holistic support to entire families, working with mothers, fathers and children together because lasting change begins at home. Yet the demand for counselling and mental health support continues to grow, while resources remain limited. Roy believes passing the Child Protection Bill is no longer simply a legal decision – it is a moral one. “Child protection affects everyone because every one of us was once a child,” he says. For the children who are too frightened to speak, and for those still carrying invisible scars, the time to act is now. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Man remanded over alleged sexual assault of four-year-old girl August 13, 2026
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Cervical cancer preventable, yet a leading cause of death among Vanuatu women August 12, 2026
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Minister Bohn said the launch reaffirmed a collective commitment to ensuring women and girls have access to prevention, screening and treatment services, with their health, dignity and future at the centre of the national effort. “The Vanuatu Strategy aligns with the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem and its 90-70-90 coverage targets: 90 per cent of girls fully vaccinated with HPV by age 15; 70 per cent of women screened with an HPV test or other high-performance test by ages 35 and 45; and 90 per cent of women with cervical pre-cancer treated and women with invasive cancer appropriately managed,” he said. The Minister of Health said the Government of Vanuatu, through this strategy, is reaffirming its commitment to achieving these goals by 2035. 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The hard work of the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, the Vanuatu Family Health Association and the Ikkana Cancer Society has meant that access to screening has been made available across all provinces, with over 3,500 women receiving treatment.” Mr. Bohn said Vanuatu is also protecting girls from cervical cancer through HPV vaccination, with the national HPV vaccination programme beginning in 2023 and 16,412 girls vaccinated to date. He said this ensures that today’s girls grow up protected, empowered and free from a disease that previously often arrived too late for treatment. “With continued awareness and coordinated delivery strategies, communities learn that the HPV vaccine protects their children and they therefore want their children to be vaccinated,” he said. “As we endorse this document, we acknowledge the journey of women and families affected, the conscientious efforts of health and community workers to improve health outcomes and the valued collaboration of international partners which strengthens our progress. “The Strategy presents a roadmap to strengthen and sustain current efforts, prioritising primary health care, public health approaches and people-centred service delivery tailored to the Vanuatu context.” Minister Bohn said sustained progress would require long-term, sustainable financing and continued coordinated efforts across sectors and disciplines to ensure Vanuatu remains on the path to eliminating cervical cancer. He said the Government of Vanuatu is committed to ensuring activities are adequately coordinated, funded and maintained over time. “Government commits to ensuring that no woman is left unseen, no girl unprotected, and no life lost to a preventable disease,” he said. The senior consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, medical lead for the cervical cancer screening programme and chairperson of the development of the cervical cancer elimination strategy, Dr Boniface Damutalau, said the document launched yesterday provides a roadmap for combating cervical cancer. He said cervical cancer screening began in 2022 using new technologies to detect pre-cancerous lesions, and the launch of the strategy provides guidance for screening, vaccination, treatment and sustainability of the programme through to 2035. “It’s a document that helps us with a roadmap of how we do our screening, our vaccination, our treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, and also it will help us with the sustainability of the programme for the next 10 to 15 years,” he said. Dr Damutalau said available data shows around 18 per cent of women have HPV infection, although he believes the figure could be higher because the hospital continues to see two or three new cervical cancer cases each month. He explained that the best way to prevent cervical cancer is through immunisation of young girls aged around 9 to 14 years and regular screening. Dr Damutalau said screening is the only way to detect cervical cancer early, allowing treatment to begin before the disease progresses. He said Vanuatu can currently treat stage 1 cervical cancer locally, while women with more advanced stages must travel overseas for further treatment. “There are a lot of challenges. I think the biggest ones that we encounter are that Vanuatu is very sparse, with different islands, so there is a lot of geography we have to go through, and human resources are also one of the important things that we combat every day,” he said. “Human resources across ministries are not enough, but we always try to reach as far as where women live, from remote places in the north down to the south.” Dr Damutalau acknowledged the efforts made by women who come forward to clinics for screening. He said there are currently two clinics providing services, one in Port Vila and one in Luganville. Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, and once a woman becomes infected, the virus can change cells on the cervix, causing them to become cancerous. Dr Damutalau said most HPV infections clear naturally, but some remain and can increase the risk of cervical cancer. He said about 90 per cent of cervical cancers are linked to HPV, which is why vaccination and early screening are important. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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More boys than girls drop out of school August 12, 2026
More boys than girls are dropping out of secondary schools in Vanuatu, with TORBA Province recording the highest dropout rate. Boys are repeating grades more than girls at both primary and secondary levels across all provinces, and TORBA Province again has the highest repetition rate. These findings were conveyed by the Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), John Gideon, in his presentation to set the tone for discussions at the National Education Forum in Port Vila. He said more boys are leaving school for reasons beyond the classroom, such as the cost of education, distance to school and boarding challenges. In 2016, Vanuatu came up with a policy requiring children to start formal primary school at age 6. Director Gideon revealed that the net enrolment rate has been declining since 2023, with girls recording a higher rate while boys’ participation remains lower. Girls also recorded higher gross enrolment rates than boys at every level. Director Gideon also mentioned that the education system is not retaining students, especially at the secondary level. He said about 41 out of every 100 children who start Year 1 remain in school by Year 6, and only about 5 out of every 100 continue through to Year 13. Director Gideon highlighted that the number of early childhood centres has decreased since 2022, primary schools have remained stable, while secondary schools have grown the most, with 67 new schools established since 2015. “There are over 5,400 teachers, but they are not where the students are,” he said. SHEFA, TAFEA and SANMA have the most senior secondary schools, while TORBA faces a severe shortage of junior secondary teachers. Director Gideon encouraged participants at the forum to examine what the data reveals about boys’ engagement in the education system, how to increase enrolment in early childhood and the relationship between enrolment and student progress. Currently, 104,510 students are enrolled across more than 1,000 registered schools in Vanuatu. However, Director General Cherol Ala pointed out that not all children are in school, highlighting the need to improve access, enrolment and participation. While literacy and numeracy outcomes continue to decline, she said monitoring of the nationwide Curriculum Improvement Program (CIP), launched last year, is showing improved outcomes in student learning. Other challenges she mentioned include student and teacher attendance, high dropout rates, limited access to formal training and qualifications, school infrastructure, access to schools and rolling out internet connectivity. She reminded everyone about the ministry’s mission to provide young people with lifelong skills, values and confidence to become self-reliant and contribute to development. Throughout the four-day National Education Forum, government leaders, educators and partners have discussed what has not worked and what needs to be done to improve education outcomes. The forum ends today. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Vanuatu’s education crisis a ‘national disaster’ – Pikinini Playtime CEO August 12, 2026
Pikinini Playtime founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Batten has described Vanuatu’s education situation as a “national disaster”, warning that poor literacy outcomes among children could affect the country’s future development. Speaking during an interview on Kava Mo Kajap, Mr. Batten said reports that around 70 per cent of children are unable to read and write at the expected level should be treated as a serious national concern. “I think it is a national disaster, like a hurricane or an earthquake,” Mr. Batten said. He said Vanuatu’s greatest resource is not its land or natural resources, but its people, and education is the foundation needed to develop that human resource. “Human resources are the number one resource for Vanuatu,” he said. Mr. Batten said countries that have successfully moved from being less developed to more advanced economies have done so by investing heavily in education and building a skilled population. However, he said Vanuatu’s current education results remain a major concern despite the country spending a significant amount of its national budget on education. “Vanuatu gives a lot of money per capita into education, but the results are still among the lowest in the Pacific,” he said. The Pikinini Playtime founder said the challenge is not only about funding but about how the education system delivers results. He questioned why many students continue to leave school without basic reading and writing skills despite years spent in classrooms. Mr. Batten said the impact of poor education outcomes can also be seen in the country’s workforce, where businesses often recruit skilled workers from overseas to fill positions. “We bring people from the Philippines and other countries to do accounting, bookkeeping, management, building and supervisory work, but many ni-Vanuatu are not able to take those opportunities because they do not have the basic education,” he said. He said the literacy issue must be addressed early because children who fail to develop strong reading skills in their early years often struggle throughout their education journey. Mr. Batten also raised concerns about the value placed on education within the system. He said teacher absenteeism, weak accountability and a lack of support for educators contribute to children losing confidence in learning. “When children see that school is not important, they begin to believe they don’t need school,” he said. Mr. Batten acknowledged that many teachers are working under difficult conditions but said the system needs stronger support, training and leadership to improve outcomes. He believes improving education requires everyone involved — government, schools, teachers, principals and parents — to work together. “Children are smart. They have the ability. But they need the right support and the right opportunities,” he said. Mr. Batten said addressing literacy must become a national priority because the future of Vanuatu depends on the quality of education provided to today’s children. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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