August Newsletter 2024

Oct 30, 2024 | Newsletters | 0

August was an exceptionally active month for the Sista team!

The Sista team was honoured to witness the official welcome of Port Vila City Council’s first Lady Mayor, Jenny Regenvanu, and Deputy Mayor, Marie Louise Milne. This change in leadership sets a hopeful tone for the future of Port Vila.

We were excited to see Melissa Bule, a Young Women in Leadership Program (YWLP) Alumni, represent Vanuatu at the Pacific Youth Council, advocating crucial youth health priorities in the region. Melissa now currently sits as the Vice chair for Pacific Youth Council (PYC) – representing Vanuatu and together with Solomon Islands for Melanesia! Did you know she also sits on Sista’s board too?

We shone light on Vanuatu National Youth Council’s new initiative: ‘She Can Lead’ program! This is co-led by a YWLP Alumni, Georgilla Worwor, and is aimed at empowering young women through comprehensive training and mentorship.

Sista’s Communications team hit the ground running this month; sending out an expression of interest for a new Communications Coordinator for the We Rise Coalition, reflecting on the Vanuatu Pre-Forum for the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women with CARE by sharing a reel, and preparing a behind the scenes reel of the SotSot Storian winners and initiative.

Our Executive Director was engaged in various meetings during August, including the We Rise Coalition Steering Committee, Partnership Brokering Training supported by Balance of Power, and she ran a workshop with Vancorp Construction focused on gender-based violence.

It wasn’t only our Executive Director and communications team who had a busy month! Our Project Coordinator attended workshops on off-grid solar energy initiatives with our Executive Director, while our Acting Program Manager and We Rise Communication and Advocacy Coordinator celebrated Wan Smol Bag’s 35th anniversary, and Sista’s Communications and Advocacy Coordinator and Finance and Admin Officer participated in the Animal Vanuatu Association (AVA) clinic showcase.

Sista’s Finance and Admin officer also had the opportunity to attend an Empathic Communication workshop about Non-Violent Communication with Ananda Yoga, teaching participants skills for fostering deeper, empathetic connections in personal and professional relationships – thank you to the FRIDA Fund for allowing us to attend this workshop!

Read more to find out what else we got up to in August! 

Projects and Activities

Anne Leimala Pakoa Pailthorpe – Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

In August, we are celebrating the passionate, Anne Leimala Pakoa Pailthorpe!  

At 54 years young (with a birthday right around the corner on the 12th! ), Anne hails from Euta and Pele village on the island of Tongoa. She’s not only the CEO of the Vatu Mauri Consortium and the Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition, but also wears many other hats, including Technical Adviser for the Vanuatu Young Women For Change and owner of Anne’s Christian Community Health School and Nursing Services.  

In her spare time, Anne enjoys beach days , singing , and cherished moments with close friends. As a registered nurse and nurse educator, she continues to expand her knowledge through various short courses, enhancing her impact in the civil society space here in Vanuatu.  

Anne’s personal mantra is, “Trust God, work hard and stay positive despite all odds!” 

#SistaGatStyle #WomanTongoa #FearlessLeader #Bold #Beautiful #Strong #Vibrant #Passionate 

Empathic Communication (Nonviolent Communication – NVC) 

The recent Empathic Communication workshop focused on the foundations of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) a method developed by Marshall Rosenberg in the 1960s. This workshop was facilitated by Aga Kochanowicz, and she aimed to equip participants with skills to foster deeper connections through compassionate and value-driven communication. Participants explored how NVC helps in navigating relationships, whether personal or professional, with the goal of creating meaningful interactions that align with shared needs and empathy. 

Tankio tumas FRIDA for making this happen for Sista’s Admin & Finance officer and Comms & Advocacy Coordinator. They are excited to put these skills into practice in their personal and professional life!

Awareness Workshop on Gender Based Violence, Preventing Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, Harassment and Child Protection with Vancorp Construction  

  On Thursday 1st August, Sista’s Executive Director held a 2 hour workshop on awareness of gender based violence that incorporated a basic overview of PSEAH and CP for the Vancorp Construction team. This workshop was designed with the understanding that the participants are from the construction industry with no prior training on gender sensitiation or policy implementation. It was a pleasure to work with Vancorp and see their commitment to ensuring a safe workplace.  

We Rise Steering Committee Meeting 

On August 21st, the ED attended the monthly We Rise Coalition Steering Commitee meeting where heads of the organisations in the committee discussed program updates, partnership principles review, update on the deliverables we are expected to do during the extension period, before ending with a discussion on the upcoming APFF and AWID Forums, and meeting IWDA Feminist Movement Strengthening Advisor Camilla 

Partnership Brokering Training 

  The ED attended a Partnership Brokering Training from Aug 27th  – Aug 30th that was facilitated by Yeshe Smith and Peni Tawake. Her attendance was made possible with the support of Balance of Power (BOP) and she received a certificate upon completion. The training was an invaluable experience and was designed to deepen understanding of professional partnership process management, introduce brokering concepts and tools, build key skills and confidence, explore innovative approaches to addressing challenges and solving problems and promote a ‘reflective approach to professional practice.  

Photo credit: Balance of Power

Meetings

The ED also attended meetings to strengthen networks, provide input into program designs, or to simply catch up to talk about the work we are doing and listen to what others are doing! This

included meetings with the Pacific Consulting Limited team, Vpride, Vanuatu Electoral Office, Subina from the FRIDA Fund, US Ambassador Annie Marie and US Vanuatu Office, Roscell from Oxfam, BOP, PACMAS, and Vanuatu Daily Post.  

In-House Finance Training

From August 13th to 26th, Sista’s finance and admin team took a break from their usual routine to dive into some fun and interactive training sessions! Led by our Finance & HR Manager, the team spent two hours each day sharpening their skills and improving how we handle finance and procurement processes.

We covered everything from reviewing project budgets and donor requirements to mastering Xero (our favorite finance tool) for things like monthly reconciliations, severance pay, and asset management. Plus, we updated our annual budget forecast to keep everything on track.

The sessions were a great way to boost the team’s confidence, especially in budgeting and procurement. Everyone left feeling more equipped to manage financial tasks smoothly and efficiently.

Looking ahead, we’ve got some refresher training sessions planned to keep our skills sharp and ensure we’re always on top of our game!

Other News

Lady Mayor Induction Day  

On August 5, an induction event was held to honor the historic election of Port Vila City Council’s first female mayor, Jenny Regenvanu, along with the newly elected Deputy Mayor, Marie Louise Milne. This milestone event brought together stakeholders, government officials, families, and friends, marking a significant moment in the city’s history. The election of the first female mayor reflects the community’s commitment to progress and inclusivity in leadership. 

The event began with a traditional salusalu presentation to the invited guests and important government officials, symbolizing respect and welcome. The newly elected female leaders were formally introduced to the audience in a program led by the town clerk, David Hopa, who also conducted the opening prayer, setting a solemn and respectful tone for the occasion. 

Mayor Regenvanu delivered a powerful speech, outlining her vision for the future of Port Vila. She emphasized key priorities such as city development, enhancing safety through collaboration with the national government, and fostering community unity by promoting transparency and adherence to the law. The election of Deputy Mayor Milne was also highlighted, recognizing her experience and dedication as she steps into her new role. 

This memorable event not only celebrated the new leadership but also highlighted the importance of female representation in governance. The induction set a hopeful and progressive tone for the future of Port Vila, with the community expecting positive changes and developments under the new leadership. 

Inception Workshop on facilitating off-grid solar maintenance, repair and entrepreneurship in Vanuatu – University of New South Wales 

Sista was invited to an inception workshop on facilitating off-grid solar maintenance, repair, and entrepreneurship in Vanuatu. The workshop was held from August 5th to 6th at Moorings. The Executive Director and Project Coordinator represented Sista. This project, led by the University of New South Wales in collaboration with DFAT through business platforms, involved participants from potential partner organizations such as the Department of Energy, Vanuatu Institution of Technology, Action Aid, Sista, and Vanuatu Disability Promotion and Advocacy. 

  On the first day, the diverse group engaged in an interactive activity where they shared their experiences with off-grid solar systems in Vanuatu. They discussed existing initiatives, community skills, challenges, and opportunities. The project will initially focus on three islands: Pentecost, Tanna, and Aneityum. Participants shared their thoughts on the social, cultural, economic, and technical considerations for each island and identified knowledge gaps, suggesting ways to strengthen the project’s impact. 

  The second day concentrated on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). Discussions addressed GEDSI challenges and solutions, with participants identifying priorities for the project. A report analysis will be completed and distributed to all attendees. 

Celebrating Wan Smolbag

Sista’s Acting Program Manager and We Rise Communication & Advocacy Coordinator attended Wan Smol Bag’s 35th anniversary, celebrating founder Joe and the team for their dedication to building a space for second chances. The event featured videos from partners wishing WSB a happy anniversary and Jo a surprise birthday. Sista is grateful to have attended and wishes WSB continued success in the years ahead. 

 
Wilkins Family Foundation Booklets

On August 8th 2024 We recieved two booklets from the Wilkins Family Foundation called “Education is Hope” We acknowledge the work that they are doing promoting education and leadership through long term scholarships and mentoring for marginalised girls in Vanuatu. Also Congratulations to their successful recent launch of their film version of the book ‘Education is Hope’ at the National University of Vanuatu. 

We Rise Communications EOI

In August, we shared an Expression of Interest on Wok I Kik for the role of We Rise Coalition (WRC) Communications Coordinator. The We Rise Coalition is a partnership of feminist organizations working together to promote gender equality and human rights for women and diverse identities across the Pacific.

This position is based at Sista, but it’s all about working with the coalition. The WRC Communications Coordinator will collaborate closely with Sista’s Communications and Advocacy team, handling everything from media engagement and social media to website updates and email marketing. We’re excited to welcome this new member to the team!

AVA Clinic Opening

On Friday 23 August 2024, Sista’s Communications & Advocacy Coordinator and Finance & Admin Officer, had the pleasure of attending the official showcase of the Animal Vanuatu Association (AVA) clinic. The Sista team had the opportunity to meet Lydia, get a tour of the clinic and capture some photos for the organisations Facebook page. Thank you Lydia and AVA team for the invite and the wonderful work you do for our animals in Vanuatu!

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NEWS

‘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
A man from Tanna has been remanded in custody after being charged over the alleged sexual assault of a four-year-old girl at Salili on Efate last week. The accused, identified in a remand warrant as Simeon Tom Yatika, appeared before the Port Vila Magistrates’ Court on 11 August 2026. He is charged with unlawful sexual intercourse, contrary to section 97(1) of the Penal Code [CAP 135]. The prosecution applied for the accused to be held in custody, and the court granted the application. The warrant directs the officer in charge of the Correctional Centre to keep Yatika in custody until his next appearance on 25 August 2026 at 9am. A source close to the Magistrates’ Court said the court was informed that the alleged victim suffered injuries and experienced difficulty using the toilet after the incident. The court also reportedly heard that the accused had been receiving mental health care but had not attended medical appointments for some time. The circumstances surrounding that information remain matters for the court and relevant medical professionals to consider. The allegations have not been tested at trial. The accused has not been convicted and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case has caused concern and renewed public frustration over the protection of children and the handling of sexual offence cases in Vanuatu. Many members of the public are expected to question whether vulnerable children are receiving adequate protection, medical care and support after alleged abuse. The case also comes amid wider criticism from women’s groups over the treatment of child sex offenders and calls for stronger safeguards in decisions involving pardons and accountability. Women’s groups have recently urged the Government to review the presidential pardon process following the pardoning of men convicted of sexually abusing children. Community members have called for the justice system to respond firmly to allegations involving children, while also stressing the importance of allowing the courts to assess the evidence fairly and independently. Under Vanuatu law, sexual intercourse with a child under 13 is a serious criminal offence, with the law providing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The prosecution must nevertheless prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt before a conviction can be entered. The matter remains before the Port Vila Magistrates’ Court. The child’s identity has been withheld to protect her privacy. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Cervical cancer preventable, yet a leading cause of death among Vanuatu women August 12, 2026
Minister of Health Robert Bohn said cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women in Vanuatu, yet it is entirely preventable through vaccination, screening and early treatment. Speaking at the official launch of the Vanuatu National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy 2026–2035 yesterday, Minister Bohn said access to these highly effective prevention measures had previously been limited or unavailable in Vanuatu. As a result, women were often diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, when treatment options were limited and survival rates were lower. 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. Mr. Bohn said Vanuatu now has accessible, culturally appropriate and scalable approaches to prevention, and together the country can make a difference for women and families across the country. “The country has already made significant progress on this pathway, and today I would like to acknowledge the persistence, advocacy and hard work of health and community workers to reduce the preventable burden, incidence, illness and death caused by cervical cancer,” he said. “An opportunistic screening programme has existed since 2008, with national Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-based screening implemented in 2022, and close to 20,000 women screened to date. 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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