Work on Construction projects and capacity building.

Vanuatu means "Our land" and its people are called "Ni Vanuatu" (Ni-Van). Vanuatu is a chain of 180 islands in the South Pacific and it is part of the Melanesian Archipelago, which includes Papua New Guinea and Fiji. While on project you might also be able to try Kava-kava, the national drink or take part in a Melanesian ceremony and feast. Some groups have even been located close to Mt. Yasur, an active volcano, or have had a chance to snorkel in the clear blue Pacific Ocean.

Unique to the Vanuatu program is the opportunity to work side by side with indigenous Ni-Van as part of their Youth Challenge International training program. The program offers practical training for Ni-Van challengers in areas such as job seeking, small business, and computer training courses. Each year around 30-40 Ni-Van youth go through the YCV local program and around 25-30 volunteers from Australia and Canada participate on the YCA projects in conjunction with them.

Project Management through Small Teams Projects: Small Team Projects (STPs) are unique to YCV’s Vanuatu program. They usually involve working in a team of 3-4 people, a mixture of Ni-Van and international challengers plus local counterparts, to undertake projects identified with the community alongside the core project. Each participant will participate in a single STP, with 2-3 STPs per project group depending on size.

Youth Conferences: Volunteers bring together large numbers of youth from remote communities for a week-long conference to explore topics on HIV/AIDS, adolescent reproductive health, and social issues. Volunteers organise workshops, seminars and games to help participants set personal goals, develop job search strategies that are grounded in the realities of the local economy. Volunteers are responsible for overseeing venue hire, accomodation and food, guest speakers and conference topics.

Construction Projects: Working with communities to build new health posts, schools and kindergartens, wells, water tanks, ventilation, community centers and community kitchens. Most construction projects occur in rural communities that are beyond the reach of many basic services.

Although it sounds like paradise, the country has one of the lowest standards of living in the world and is virtually a subsistence economy. The main community development needs of Vanuatu concern its youth unemployment and alienation; its geographical isolation from infrastructure in the remote islands; its reliance on foreign aid, the lack of a productive sector; minimal formal education; domestic violence; and maternal and child health problems.

• Contribute positively to your region
• Work alongside local Ni-Vanuatu youth and contribute to their career development and training
• ‘Do as the locals do’ and immerse yourself in local life on a remote island
• Gain hands-on experience in community development through working on a small-team project
• Gain practical experience in project management
• Raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, contribute to youth development, improve disaster response awareness, improve health and hygiene levels

In recent years things have been looking up for Vanuatu – it has enjoyed relative political stability since 2004, economic reforms, more transparent and accountable budget processes have improved its fiscal position. The country is expected to reach an economic growth rate of 5.5% in 2009. Nevertheless Vanuatu falls under constant pressure from its reliance on tourism and foreign aid for income and being stretched to deliver services and employment opportunities to its rural populations. Around 20% of the Vanuatu population don't have access to health services and almost 25% of children under five are underweight and infant mortality, while reducing, remains significant.

•       Adult literacy rate: 74% (2005)
•       Government spending on education: 9.6% (2002 – 2005)
•       Life expectancy: 69.3 (2005)
•       Mortality rate, under-5/Infant Mortality Rate per 1000: 38 (2005)
•       Human development Index (HDI): 0.674, ranked 120^th out of 177 developed and developing countries.
•       Gross Domestic Product (GDP): 3,225 (2005)
•       Economy: Vanuatu's economy is primarily agricultural; 80% of the population is engaged in agricultural activities that range from subsistence farming to smallholder farming of coconuts and other cash crops. Tourism is Vanuatu's fastest-growing sector, having comprised 40% of GDP in 2000.
•             Biggest Agricultural exports: Copra (dried coconut meat), timber, beef and cocoa.
•             Gender Equality: Current social, economic and political indicators highlight female disadvantagesin all areas in Vanuatu. Whilst the ratio of girls to boys in primary/secondary education is strong – 0.91/0.93 – women only hold 4% of seats in parliament. Women are rarely involved in formal decision-making, either through traditional or modern democratic structures.
•            Population living below the national poverty line: -
•            Population using improved water source: 60% (2004)

• Location: Vanuatu is located in the South Pacific Ocean and is made up of an archipelago of 82 small islands, geologically newer islands of volcanic origin.65 of these islands are inhabited.
• Capital: Port Villa, situated on the island of Efate
• Population: 215,415 (2008, est)
• Religion: 83% of the population of Vanuatu is of the Christian faith, 7% have animistic beliefs, and 3% are Buddhist and 1% other
• Languages: Vanuatu has three official languages, French, English and Bislama, a form of Creole language evolved from English. There are also over 100 languages spread over the archipelago. Vanuatu is considered to have the highest density of languages per capita in the world.
• Climate: The climate is sub-tropical with approximately eight months of warm to hot rainy weather with the possibility of cyclones and three to four months of cooler drier weather. The warmer weather is generally from September to April and the cooler from April to August.
• Government: Vanuatu is a parliamentary democratic republic. The Current president is Kalkot Matas Kelekele and was elected on the 16^th of August 2004 by the Electoral College made up of the parliament and regional presidents.
• Currency: The Vanuatu Vatu