Malekula Project is working with the local communities to the north of Port Vila. The common practice of subsistence farming means most families rely solely on their food gardens and fishing to supply their daily needs.

Subsistence farming means that most families earn little money and rely solely on their food gardens and fishing to supply their daily needs. Parents spend most of their time and energy on securing food and unfortunately the children don’t receive the basic nurture and care required in childhood years.

Children are essentially left to be looked after by the village. If children don’t turn up at their house to sleep, their parents do not worry, knowing they will be somewhere in the village.  Children are also often shifted around from family to family, to other islands, mostly within the extended family group and often given away to other family members.

The Malekula Project aims to build the capacity of the community, utilising what they already have, to provide a stable environment for children to grow in by:

• Providing awareness and training programs for community leaders and parents
• Running workshops on life values, healthy relationships, and parenting skills to families
• Producing and translating material

Back to Community Development Back to Pacific Region