Surfers Sunrise to build a school on Vanuatu!
Posted by Franz Huber on Jul 30, 2016
About once or twice in a Rotary Year, there comes what President Simon Brook calls a Rotary Moment. Simon's announcement that it's "all systems go" for our club, in conjunction with RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) to build, deliver and erect a school in the northern area of Vanuatu. The RAWCS project number has been formally assigned: 2016-17/70. Click on this link for details, where you can also donate funds. An awful lot of 'paddling under the surface' has already happened: You recall a few weeks ago, Chantal Clarke (Rotary Club of Currumbin-Tweed-Coolangatta) presented her RAWCS project to refurbish a Community and Health Centre in Port Orly, north of the tourist areas of Champagne Beach. The school, using Des La Rance's well proven design as has already been deployed in Thailand (2007) and again on Samoa (2010, 2012 - see picture above) was going to be pre-manufactured by a local company specializing in Work for the Dole and Disability Employment Services. They had committed $23,000 towards the project for the procurement of some materials, in addition to providing the labour at their factory. Regrettably, they now have pulled out. So, our club will need to come up with substantial funds (about $40,000). All donations are fully tax deductible. One of the major materials components will be the roofing panels (refrigeration type), estimated to cost about $7,500. Click on this link to donate.
The pre-manufactured components will then be shipped to Vanuatu and, similarly to the way it was done in the past, a team of volunteers will travel on site to organize the erection and hand-over of the building to the local people.
Des La Rance, who designed the concept of a 'Flat Pack' school that is not only inexpensive but also cyclone proof will lead the project, liaising with any local company that wishes to participate with labour and/or materials, RAWCS and Chantal Clarke.
Mario Fairlie, who has had extensive experience in dealing with RAWCS (and other) grants, will be involved in that side. "Members are invited to go to Vanuatu to assist in the building of the school there" Mario said. "Keep in mind, it will be rough! Not like on Samoa where there was a tourist hotel within an acceptable distance from the site."
An organizing committee will be formed shortly. And to kick of the fund raising: our regular visitor Arthur Moorhouse presented a $50.00 note to President Simon. All donations over $2.00 are fully tax deductible. Click on this link to donate (fully tax deductible).