May 20, 2010

Dear Friends

Time has a habit of speeding by and I'm just realising that my last update was before classes began.

We have a total enrolment at present of 24, 17 of whom are first years, and the rest are 2nd, 3rd or 4th years. There are still four students away building a clinic on Ambae. We had to begin - the boys had had two years out of classes, so although the roof is still not covering the workshop and office, we have begun classes. There are two classrooms, one of which doubles as sleeping room for half of the boys. The library (to be) is our 'home' for the present - enough space for a mattress, a filing cabinet and office desk.

The machine shop is roofed and a lot of activity happens there from day to day. We have the blessing of some single phase machinery which operates from an extension lead - we hope to find some time soon to get some wiring done, then we'll have lights in the workshop at night and lots more activity and production. Currently the boys are making some pews for a local Presbyterian church group, plus there are doors being built to lock up the machine shop and tool room, plus other furniture as orders come in.

Yesterday one of the lads was out knifing the grass - I was quite impressed at his initiative, so sent him to buy six more knives this afternoon and he will take responsibility for looking after them and seeing that they get used - we might have a nice tidy campus soon. This morning I enjoyed a couple of hours of outdoor activity - just weeding around edges of buildings etc - it's surprising how much neater things look when a few weeds are pulled, plus I felt the benefit of the fresh air and sunshine.

The problems with milling may be at an end for the time being - the customs of the land are such that problems can arise at the blink of an eye or less, but we've had a couple of cubic metres of timber delivered here to start drying - nice rosewood which will make good furniture, and we're hopeful of receiving plenty more in the next weeks in order to complete the workshop and office area. It's fairly likely that we will make this section a double storey, since we have
just recently found out that the adjacent land is not available to us to expand. So the extra storey would give room for accommodation and an extra classroom or two.

However there is a fairly certain offer of land, about 11 hectares, a little inland from the township on Santo, which may be ideal to build another branch of the school, especially to include agriculture as a course of study. We have a competent Agriculture teacher lined up - he is the deputy principal at the Vanuatu Agriculture College this year, but will join us next year. If anyone knows of a tractor that would like to do some missionary work here, we'd be glad to hear about it. The boys could not only provide all their own food, but extra to sell to help keep the school running, just as the furniture boys will be able to make furniture to keep their department running (once the timber is dry to use). In the meantime our school is well-known here, being so close to town. It's likely that we'll have a good enrolment next year as more and more people find out about our school.

I'm finding that lots of women are coming to see my sewing machines and other second hand goods such as clothing. I don't have time to be lonely or bored.

It's really special to see the progress around the campus, and the boys are proud of the work they are able to do to improve things. Some boys are building a block house adjacent to the machine shop, to house the new generator. Other boys have been making concrete blocks for a church or house project of a local member. I can hear the new knives being used - hurrah - the grass grows quickly with all the rain we've had, but we have a small campus, so not worth while to buy a mower or grass snipper. Mmmm, love the smell of fresh cut grass! They are working just outside my door.

The supply of sewing machines continues to provide for the women - Alastair is keeping abreast of the demand, putting hand winders on as many as possible

It's quite a challenge to keep the boys fed - they are used to a simple diet which includes taro, manioc, kumala and the never-ending supply of island cabbage. Yesterday I found nice ripe bananas and some oranges in the market and one of the boys actually came and specially thanked me for the nice food - that was an unexpected surprise. The boys have been busy planting taro and other vegies across the creek.

For now, we are enjoying the challenges and day to day association with these young lads - some of the parents are noticing changes for the good already, and we see progress in their lives too. We are learning to enjoy eating the same food as they have, though we are glad for a change sometimes.

Some of the lads come for bible studies two or three nights a week - they look up to Alastair as a father and he enjoys working with them and talking with them and encouraging them. He always has interesting ways of presenting things to the boys. He suggested that if they could go into the supermarket in town and fill up a bag for 1,000 vatu, would they get one or two items, or would they cram the bag full. Of course their answer was a crammed full bag, and Alastair used that analogy to encourage them to fill their bag (head) with all the skills and knowledge and ideas that they can cram in while they are here.

Next week the boys are planning a second trip into the interior of Santo Island. They went there over the Easter weekend and took clothing to share with village people who have been forgotten by civilisation. They own no clothes, use no kerosene - they really are very basic and use bush material for scanty covering of themselves. It can be quite cold and wet, and the boys were glad to share the clothing, and emptied their own backpacks of any spare clothing, and gave the bed sheets they'd taken as well. Their faces were shining as they shared their experience and of course they are keen to return and take more clothing and bedding. They enjoyed singing to the village people and sharing Jesus and His plan of salvation. The village people appreciated their visit and there are other villages who would also appreciate some clothes etc. The boys visited three villages last time, this time they want to visit three new ones as well as the other three again. It was a very long walk for them but this time they will possibly get transport to take them closer. So it's a chance for me to make use of some of the clothing and bedding that we brought in the container. The boys who choose not to go will remain at school and do some practical work - fitting up a tool room with shadow boards and a framework with door to lock them safely, plus putting rafters and roof on the generator house and maybe some plumbing so that the new toilet/shower block can be put to use. We are making do with one shower for us all, plus a pit toilet across the creek and a flush toilet in the main building.

Well dear friends, on that note I'll sign off, and go and see what's happening in the kitchen. The other night I went and sat and chatted with the cooks while they cracked namumbe nuts to cook for their meal. It was a slow and tedious process so I chatted about food and eating and health habits and etc, and then decided I was talking to much and rose to go but they wanted me to stay and keep talking so they could keep learning new things. They are really a nice bunch of boys - all different - all with potential and promise. We are enjoying our time with them.

Bye for now and blessings on each and all,

Alastair and Jill