News and Updates:

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. (read more)

March 10, 2010

Dear Friends and Family of Listair Advent Training Institute,

Nearly five months since our last newsletter went out. The best word to describe progress since then would be DELAY. We hoped to have the complete roof on the building before leaving for Australia in December, but a problem or two cropped up, and the Department of Forestry is delaying the issue of a milling licence, even though we've paid about A$1,000 in fees. We have the roof on the machine shop and classroom wing, which means that Alastair and I have been able to move into the small room that will house a library in the future. In fact we moved here from Aore nearly one week ago.

We have put the word out that classes will resume on March 10, but some new students have arrived already. Some will stay with relatives around Santo township, and the rest will live in the temporary thatched cottage used by the building boys to date. Our funds have run out, so the accommodation houses have not yet been started, especially with no chance to mill timber for them. While disappointing, we realise that a chicken must work hard to break out of its shell, and that's about the stage our school is at right now. (read more)

October 22

Dear One and All,

Perhaps the last time I wrote, you could almost hear our cheers of gratitude to the Lord for our Registration as a Training Provider in Vanuatu.  That was most encouraging.

Now that Alastair and I are back around Santo, from our time in Tanna, we are more easily able to monitor progress on the new school building.

While Aore Clinic needed some final touches, and the Aore church maintenance and extension project also needed quite a few weeks of attention, we are about to put those two behind us and concentrate (mainly) on the school.

The Ambae Clinic, a replica of the new one at Port Resolution in Tanna, has begun, and the local village people are keen to get moving.  Alastair will fly over to Ambae soon to give instructions and arrange for delivery of materials, which we'll order and send from Santo. (read more)

June 26. 2009

(From Jill) By now you will wonder if anything is happening with our new school.
The last update I sent was soon after our groundbreaking on May 2 last
year. There have been some delays and hurdles and it was early
December before we had the floor poured, and it's taken until May of
this year to reach this stage -

However the boys are continuing and by now they will be pouring the
bond beam, then comes the top plate ready for the positioning of the
trusses. (read on)

July 13, 2009

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" (Ephesians 5.20)

(Jill writes) Just had to write again with the good news! Listair Advent
Training Institute is a registered training provider with the Vanuatu
National Training Council (VNTC). This was granted on July 9 for a
period of two years, and renewable after that time.

This is none other than a miracle! When we began the process it was a
long and daunting path before us, but God is gracious. He has taken
pity on us and we praise Him for this recognition granted to our school.

(read on)

A magnificent vision – building a future for the Ni Vanuatu.

The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is rich in contrasts and opposites captured even in the bold colours of its flag. Simmering below the lush exterior of a tropical paradise are eight brooding volcanoes, each capable of unleashing the wrath of another Krakatoa. The tranquil beaches and calm lagoons betray the presence of restless earth far below, as massive tectonic plates jostle for position on the earth's crust.

For many people Vanuatu is synonymous with holidays in the sun, golden beaches, luxurious villas, the perfect place to be pampered and to get away from it all. Yet many parts of the island chain are surprisingly backward, under-developed and quite primitive. 

Parts of the economy are experiencing an upturn thanks to tourism and investment in real estate and housing, but only a privileged minority are actually benefiting directly from this growth. Overseas interests are spurring the growth and stand to gain most from the newfound prosperity. In contrast most inhabitants of the thirteen major islands live a subsistence existence and have few resources within themselves to change their predicament.

Recently there has been a considerable overseas aid injected into the country. Most of it has been directed towards the infrastructure supporting tourism, building development and academic education programs. Unemployment is high and people are not only poorly educated, they also lack fundamental practical and trade skills that are needed in any developing society.

The Ni Vanuatu need to be able to help themselves, not overseas investors.

Basic computer knowledge may equip them for a job in hospitality, but computers cannot cannot fell, mill and dress timber. The Ni Vanuatu desparately need timber to build themselves homes and boats in order to survive.

Mathematics, science and communictaions may be the building blocks of modern education, but the locals in these islands need to know how to use a hammer and saw. Bricklaying is every bit as important as accounting. Boatbuilding enables them to harvest the abundant waters that surround their homes. Joinery skills create the opportunites to establish their own furniture businesses

Too much of the money being invested in Vanuatu is by-passing the real needs of the Ni Vanuatu. The Listair Institute has been established to help the Ni Vanuatu help themselves. It is the result of a shared vision of handful of Ni Vanuatu young men and a wiry Scotsman. They are committed to improving the quality of life of the average island resident.