Local carpentry students have been building the frame of the kindergarten in a workshop over the past few weeks as part of their technical college assessment. On Monday it was transferred to the site for the remainder of the build.
Funds for the kindergarten were raised by the Victoria University of Wellington community soon after the cyclone hit in March 2015.
The initiative was led by Victoria’s Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) and Victoria senior lecturer Dr Pala Molisa who is from Vanuatu.
The University agreed to match dollar-for-dollar, all funds raised by two student groups—the Victoria University of Wellington’s Students’ Association and Pasifika Students’ Council—with further support from the Vice-Chancellor’s office, staff, students and Wellington’s Ni-Vanuatu community.
In total, over $28,000 was raised.
Victoria University worked with Volunteer Service Abroad and Vanuatu’s Ministry of Education and Training to establish the kindergarten in the town of Manua where it will serve as a central facility for early education in the province.
Cyclone Pam destroyed most of the province’s kindergartens, leaving many to operate under tarpaulins, in tents and without adequate resources.
Dr Molisa says the benefits of the kindergarten will spread throughout the community.
“The kindergarten will also be a training centre for early childhood teachers. The teachers tend to be young mums, many of whom had to leave school early, so it’s a great way for them to re-enter the formal education system to continue their own study. They end up not just teaching kids, but training other teachers in the province.
“It will also provide opportunities for research, interactions with international early childhood students and promote good practices in pre-literacy and pre-numeracy strategies.”
Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) Hon. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says the kindergarten will help rebuild the community’s morale.
“We hope this new kindergarten and teaching centre will bring together again the children, their families and teachers as they continue rebuilding their livelihoods.
“It’s been a wonderful opportunity for the University community too. It’s great to see our staff and students really show support for our Pacific neighbours in a time of crisis.”
The kindergarten is scheduled to open in February in time for the 2017 school year.