Australia supports training of 20 Ni-Vanuatu builders on Chiefs’ Nakamal Project

Mar 10, 2025 | News | 0

Twenty young Ni-Vanuatu men and women from across the country helped build the Chiefs’ Nakamal and at the same time gained building qualifications from the Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT), through the Australia-supported Vanuatu Skills Partnership (VSP).

The opening of the Chiefs’ Nakamal this week and the graduates’ certification marks a milestone in building local capacity and will have a lasting impact on both the graduates’ careers and the cultural heritage of Vanuatu.

In partnership with the Government of Vanuatu, Australia contributed VT46 million towards rebuilding the nakamal, under a two-year partnership with the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, implemented through VSP and the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), according to a statement.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Australian High Commissioner Max Willis acknowledged the vision and hard work of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs in designing and shepherding through this project.

“Australia recognises the pivotal role of Chiefs in Vanuatu in representing, preserving and promoting custom, language and tradition.”

He also thanked VSP, APTC, VIT and the 20 graduates, who represented all six provinces, for their contributions to the rebuilding.

“We are extremely proud of the students who helped build this nakamal. It’s a testament to their craftmanship that the Nakamal structure withstood and sustained no damage after the earthquake in December 2024.”

With their strong focus on skills development, VSP worked with area councils around Vanuatu to identify 20 potential trainees who were interested in undertaking a Certificate I & II in Building Construction, delivered by VIT.

The 20 trainees, including three women and one man living with a disability, completed the practical components of their studies while working on all parts of the Chiefs’ Nakamal building – natangura thatch roofing, laying slab foundation, working with large timber for the frame, attaching bamboo, wooden and metal fencing and tiling the floor.

The trainees learnt not only modern building construction skills but were also fortunate to learn traditional building methods through traditional building contractor, Christopher Weman from Gaua Island. Frida Naiwan, one of the three female trainees from VIT noted that “being part of the rebuilding of the Chiefs’ Nakamal was a great opportunity for me as a woman to contribute to an important building that brings everyone together.”

The successful trainees formally became graduates of Certificate I & II in Building Construction this week in a special ceremony at the Chiefs’ Nakamal. Australia also provided each graduate with a complete builders’ toolkit to help them in setting up their own business and VSP will continue to mentor them in their future endeavours.

VSP Director Fremden Yanhambath said in the statement that “focusing on the trainees was important but the partnership also wanted this project to benefit local producers and promote local materials. “For this nakamal to truly represent the whole of Vanuatu it was important that the traditional materials were sourced from across different islands.”

VSP worked with producers to source the local building materials and arranged for transport and shipping from different islands. This included bamboo from Ambae and Malekula; natangura thatches from Malekula and Malo; wooden posts from Efate; and local vines from Torba Province.

APTC played an important role in the construction by providing the expertise of their Certificate III in Carpentry students, led by APTC’s female carpentry trainer, Gail Waki Tamakam, to support the trainees with pouring the concrete slab and laying the floor tiles throughout the full Nakamal building.

The newly built Chiefs’ Nakamal is a result of the combined skills development efforts of Australia’s VSP and APTC initiatives, which provided an opportunity for the VIT trainees to apply their new skills to construct a building of national significance for Vanuatu. President of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Chief Merihmba Dangdang Paul Robert Ravun, officially reopened the new Chiefs’ Nakamal on Chiefs’ Day.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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That child needs to be safe tonight, tomorrow and in the months and years that follow,” the Ministry says. Parliament has an opportunity to act The MOJYCS recognises that families, chiefs, churches and communities all have important roles in protecting children. However, it says informal arrangements and goodwill are not always enough when abuse occurs within a family or community. Children need a system with clear legal responsibilities, trained professionals and the authority to intervene when their safety is at risk, the Ministry says. It also cautions that legislation alone will not end child sexual abuse. A strong Child Protection Bill must be backed by trained child protection officers, accessible services, effective referral pathways and sustained investment, including in rural and remote communities. Without these investments, the MOJYCS warns, the promise of stronger legal protection risks remaining just that — a promise. For children experiencing abuse, the Ministry says, the issues are not abstract questions about legislation or government responsibilities. They concern immediate safety, dignity, care and recovery. The MOJYCS says a child’s access to protection should not depend on where they live, whom they know or whether someone happens to be available to help when they disclose abuse. “To the MPs who will consider the Child Protection Bill this month: the children behind these headlines deserve more than our concern. They deserve action,” the Ministry says. “Vanuatu cannot undo the abuse these children have suffered. But it can decide what happens when the next child comes forward. “Pass a strong Child Protection Bill. Commit the resources needed to make it work. And ensure that when a read more…

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