Education

Since the UNICEF workshop, many of the teachers having been talking about the concept of children’s rights, and in particular the children’s right to education. This is the idea that children should be allowed to attend school, whether or not the parents can pay the school fee. We are thinking of holding a meeting or two and introducing the idea to the community, teachers are really getting on side with the concept of it, but whether people agree with it or not, the problem still stands that the town’s schools do not have space for all of the town’s children. We did have two ‘Head teachers’ of primary schools agree to stop expelling children for this reason, once they are in, whether or not fees are paid, they should be let through school, as long as they pass. Getting people onside is still important though, it might eventually contribute to public pressure on the government to get more schools built, and eventually, free education for children.

Chief Jack

Today I spent the whole day in a UNICEF workshop about child protection. Its terribly draining to sit and listen to people talk about sexual abuse towards young children. It did strike me as odd, that in Vanuatu the traditional punishment for a first time offender is ‘to say sorry’. After this, the second time, you must give a mat.. which your wife would most likely have to make, or even a pig. Failing this the child would be sent away to live with someone else. In one activity in the workshop, every group was given a case of abuse and asked to role-play how they would solve it in their community. I found the role-plays quite fascinating, partly because of the vast cultural gap. The teacher who broke a child’s nose and left a gash on their face was given a warning, but not fired. The father sexually abusing his daughter was given three months to stop the behaviour. The 40 year old chief was not allowed to marry the 13 year old girl, not because she didn’t agree, but because she was too young. He could marry her if he still wanted her in a few years. I felt like putting my hand up and reminding everyone that the girl didn’t want to marry the chief at all, but knew it wasn’t really relevant.

 

Oh, but did I mention that in Vanuatu, there is a tribe that thinks Prince Philip is god? Well, there is. Do you remember, ages ago, when I first arrived I told you about John Frum? He came to Vanuatu at the same time as the missionaries, in the body of a white man and told them to keep to the traditions, and if they did he would bring them lots of western goods from heaven. Well, Prince Philip, is believed to be John Frum’s brother. He once lived in the volcano on Tanna island but escaped over to England and married Queen Elisabeth. Chief Jack immediately recognized him as their God, when he was sailing past Vanuatu one day, many many years ago. Chief Jack was in a canoe welcoming the royal ship. Thirty years has passed, and the tribe still awaits his return, to his rightful place in a grass hut, where he will be waited on hand and foot. Prince Philip, aware of his status as God, has sent two signed photographs to Chief Jack, for the tribe to worship. They are crumbling, apparently due to humidity, so hopefully Prince Philip will be returning to his rightful home quite soon.