Professional Documents
Culture Documents
VANUATU
April 2010
VANUATU MAP
Congratulations on your invitation to the upcoming pre-service training in Vanuatu! The staff and Volunteers of
Peace Corps/Vanuatu look forward to meeting you and working with you as you prepare for service. You are about to
embark upon a life-changing journey that will give you a unique opportunity to experience a part of the world few
people even know about.
This Welcome Book offers you information and much to think about with regard to Volunteer service and the
commitment you are making as a Volunteer. It includes sections on what it means to be a Volunteer; suggestions for
what to pack; medical information; a description of the Peace Corps program in Vanuatu; and background
information on the history, culture, and government of Vanuatu.
While you are busy tying up loose ends on your side of the world, we are preparing for you on our side. We have
already started planning for your arrival and your training program. We look forward to helping you set the stage for
a productive and meaningful two years of service in Vanuatu. Some of the things we highly recommend you bring
with you are an open mind, a willingness to accept challenge, a love of adventure, a sense of humor, and the
realization that you will have to move outside of your "cultural comfort zone" to have a successful experience in
Vanuatu.
Peace Corps service promises to be one of the most formative, eye-opening, and enlightening experiences of your
life. It will also have its share of physical and emotional challenges. There will be high points and low points in
training and in service, and you may very well question the commitment you are about to make. As a Volunteer in
Vanuatu, you will be largely responsible for, but not alone in, shaping your experience as a Volunteer. The staff of
Peace Corps/Vanuatu, your fellow Volunteers, and the members of the Ni-Vanuatu community where you serve will
be important resources for you.
Feel free to contact me by email at cd@vu.peacecorps.gov if you have questions about our training or programs that
are not fully addressed in this booklet.
I commend you for your willingness to step into the unknown, your desire to be challenged, your willingness to learn,
and your commitment to work for peace. See you soon!
Eddie Stice
Country Director
1. Prepare your personal and professional life to make a commitment to serve abroad for a full term of 27
months
2. Commit to improving the quality of life of the people with whom you live and work; and, in doing so, share
your skills, adapt them, and learn new skills as needed
3. Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, under conditions of hardship, if necessary, and with the
flexibility needed for effective service
4. Recognize that your successful and sustainable development work is based on the local trust and confidence
you build by living in, and respectfully integrating yourself into, your host community and culture
5. Recognize that you are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your personal conduct and professional
performance
6. Engage with host country partners in a spirit of cooperation, mutual learning, and respect
7. Work within the rules and regulations of the Peace Corps and the local and national laws of the country
where you serve
8. Exercise judgment and personal responsibility to protect your health, safety, and well-being and that of
others
9. Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host country and community, as a representative of the people,
cultures, values, and traditions of the United States of America
10. Represent responsively the people, cultures, values, and traditions of your host country and community to
people in the United States both during and following your service
Ni-Vanuatu increase opportunities for education and training and improve the quality of education for young
people
Communities develop and implement strategies for the wise and sustainable use of their marine, terrestrial,
and cultural resources
Identify and promote opportunities for income generation by Ni-Vanuatu through a hands-on approach to
training, production, and the marketing of products and services
Promote sustainable and integrated agricultural systems that balance livelihood security, income generation,
and environmental conservation
Facilitate the delivery of other important development programs and resources to rural communities and
institutions
Working and living with Ni-Vanuatu at the community level is the theme that transcends the varied assignments of
Peace Corps Volunteers. Volunteers are distinguished by their respect for culture, ability to speak Bislama, and
willingness to live in some of the most remote areas of the country. They range in age, gender, and experience, but all
share a commitment to the goals of the Peace Corps and to the people of Vanuatu.
The work of Peace Corps Volunteers is channeled through three separate projects: the Strengthening Human
Resources through Education Project (SHREP) and the Provincial Economic and Community Empowerment Project
(PEACE) and Community Health Project. These projects share complementary objectives and activities and enable
Volunteers to help build the capacity of local institutions and communities while also strengthening links to national
development goals and resources.
SHREP Volunteers help improve the quality of education and promote the strengthening of schools by providing
formal in-service training to teachers and helping to increase the institutional capacity of schools through the transfer
of skills.Volunteers working as primary education teacher trainers and literacy trainers help the Ministry of Education
improve the quality of basic education by promoting the enhancement of teaching skills and methodologies, which
results in higher literacy levels and effective learning by students in primary schools.
PEACE Volunteers assist organizations and communities to develop the potential of young people by promoting
opportunities for income generation through agriculture and other types of small business. Volunteers also work with
provincial administrators in identifying and prioritizing rural development needs. Once needs are identified and
prioritized, Volunteers assist communities in designing projects, writing proposals, and, when funded,
implementation and evaluation. Some PEACE Volunteers help the Vanuatu Rural Development and Training Centres
Association and community-managed rural training centers to provide vocational and basic life skills to students who
do not qualify for advancement to the secondary education system. Volunteers encourage and promote opportunities
for these youth to contribute to their communities. They also help counterpart managers strengthen the capacity of
rural training centers by developing and implementing strategic plans that stress the self-sufficiency of these
institutions.
Many Volunteers help interested communities manage their natural resources in sustainable ways, preserving forests,
coastal areas, and reefs by sharing conservation methods and helping in the establishment of marine protected areas.
Volunteers also promote greater environmental awareness and the sustainable management of Vanuatu's natural
resources and biodiversity. Volunteers promote ecotourism, conservation enterprises, and the implementation of
improved traditional conservation practices at landowner and community levels.
Community Health Volunteers are currently working closely with health workers at all levels in the SHEFA and
PENAMA provinces. Based at the community level, these Volunteers assist local health care providers to implement
national and provincial basic health strategies. They focus on reorienting health services to a promotional and
preventive model so community members can be directly involved as partners in sharing responsibility for their own
health. Plans are currently underway to expand the health project into other provinces.
Hist ory
Vanuatu is an independent republic consisting of 83 islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is located about
3,500 miles southeast of Hawaii and about 1,500 miles northeast of Australia. The capital and largest city is Port Vila,
located on the island of Efat. From the late 19th century until it gained independence in 1980, Vanuatu was governed
jointly by France and Great Britain.
Vanuatus pre-history is obscure; archeological evidence supports the commonly held theory that people speaking
Austronesian languages first came to the islands about 4,000 years ago. Potsherds have been found dating back to
13001100 B.C.
The first island in the Vanuatu group to be visited by Europeans was Espiritu Santo when, in 1606, Portuguese
explorer Pedro Fernandez de Queiros spied what he thought was a southern continent. Europeans did not return until
1768, when Louis Antoine de Bougainville rediscovered the islands. In 1774, Captain James Cook named the
islands the New Hebrides, a name that lasted until independence.
The majority of Vanuatus population (78.5 percent) lives in isolated rural areas. The two urban centers have rapidly
increased in size, with 15.7 percent of the population residing in Port Vila and 5.8 percent in Luganville. Port Vila, a
small but cosmopolitan capital city, contrasts sharply with the rest of the country, with an economy that caters to a
significant number of tourists and foreign residents.
In making the delicate transition from a largely self-sufficient, agriculture-based economy to one that is more market-
oriented, Vanuatu is at a pivotal point in its young history. While traditional values and customs continue to influence
society, the pull of the new economy and the lifestyles that come with it have led to a deterioration of the community-
based social safety net. The challenge for Ni-Vanuatu is how to create a balance between the traditional community
support system and the rising expectations for jobs, education, health care, and other public services.
Gove rnme nt
In 1906, after years of strife in colonizing Vanuatu, France and the United Kingdom developed a unique compromise
agreement to administer the islands jointly. Called the British-French Condominium, it provided two completely
separate governmental systems, one for English-speaking settlers and one for the French, that came together only in
joint court. Melanesians were barred from acquiring citizenship of either power. In effect, this dual system divided
Ni-Vanuatu, and aspects of the system remain (e.g., the existence of both French and English educational systems),
even though the country now has its own democratic system.
Challenges to the colonial government began in the early 1940s. The arrival of Americans during World War II, with
their informal demeanor and relative wealth, was instrumental to the rise of nationalism in Vanuatu. Indigenous
beliefs in a mythical, messianic figure named John Frum led to a cargo cult (related to obtaining industrial goods
through magic) that promised Melanesian deliverance.
The first political party, originally called the New Hebrides National Party, was established in the early 1970s. One of
its founders was Father Walter Lini, who later became the first prime minister. Renamed the Vanuaaku Pati in 1974,
the party pushed for independence, which did not come until 1980.
Economic development is hindered by Vanuatus poor transportation infrastructure, dependence on relatively few
commodity exports, and vulnerability to natural disasters and by the long distances from main markets and between
constituent islands. A precipitous decline in world copra prices has reduced the real income of much of the population
and has put increased pressure on other resources (i.e., timber, fisheries, and traditional agriculture). The most recent
major natural disaster, a severe earthquake in January 2003, on Efat Island damaged roads, bridges, buildings, and
homes extensively in the Port Vila area. Almost all damaged structures have since been repaired.
According to 2008 World Health Organization figures, Vanuatus population has a median life expectancy of 62
years for males and 65 years for females and a child mortality rate of 51 per 1,000 live births. Forty-eight percent of
females and 57 percent of males ages 15 and older can read and write.
The United Nations Human Development Index, which measures average achievement in terms of longevity,
knowledge, and standard of living ranked Vanuatu 123 out of 179 participating countries in 2008.
The islands are rugged and isolated, and have some forested peaks several thousand feet high. Vanuatus land area,
scattered over 65 inhabited islands, is about the size of Connecticut, but is dispersed across an expanse of the
equatorial Pacific equivalent to California. The consequent pattern of small settlements with limited outside contact
fostered the development of well over 100 distinct Melanesian languages. The most common dialect, a form of pidgin
English called Bislama, is the language of national unity. English and French are also official languages and are
taught in schools throughout the country.
Most people are Christians, with the predominant denominations being Anglican, Presbyterian, Seventh-Day
Adventist, and Roman Catholic. Many professed Christians also practice some indigenous religious customs, and
some Ni-Vanuatu adhere solely to the traditional animist beliefs.
Environ me nt
Vanuatu is an island archipelago consisting of approximately 82 relatively small, geologically newer islands of
volcanic origin (65 of them inhabited), with about 800 miles north to south distance between the outermost islands.
The climate is subtropical, with approximately nine months of warm to hot rainy weather and the possibility of
cyclones and three to four months of cool dry weather characterized by winds from the southeast. The land base is
very limited (roughly 4,700 square kilometers); most of the islands are steep, with unstable soils, and little permanent
freshwater. The shoreline is usually rocky with fringing reefs and no continental shelf, dropping rapidly into the
ocean depths.
Freshwater is becoming increasingly scarce and many upland watersheds are being deforested and degraded. Proper
waste disposal and water and air pollution are also increasingly troublesome issues around urban areas and large
villages. Additionally, the lack of employment opportunities in industry and urban areas and inaccessibility to
markets have combined to lock rural families into a subsistence or self-reliance mode, putting tremendous pressure on
local ecosystems.
Following is a list of websites for additional information about the Peace Corps and Vanuatu and to connect you to
returned Volunteers and other invitees. Please keep in mind that although we try to make sure all these links are
active and current, we cannot guarantee it. If you do not have access to the Internet, visit your local library. Libraries
offer free Internet usage and often let you print information to take home.
A note of caution: As you surf the Internet, be aware that you may find bulletin boards and chat rooms in which
people are free to express opinions about the Peace Corps based on their own experience, including comments by
those who were unhappy with their choice to serve in the Peace Corps. These opinions are not those of the Peace
Corps or the U.S. government, and we hope you will keep in mind that no two people experience their service in the
same way.
www.countrywatch.com/
On this site, you can learn anything from what time it is in the capital of Vanuatu to how to convert from the dollar to
the Vanuatu currency. Just click on Vanuatu and go from there.
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
Visit this site for general travel advice about almost any country in the world.
www.state.gov
The State Departments website issues background notes periodically about countries around the world. Find Vanuatu
and learn more about its social and political history.
www.psr.keele.ac.uk/official.htm
This site includes links to all the official sites for governments worldwide.
www.geography.about.com/library/maps/blindex.htm
This online world atlas includes maps and geographical information, and each country page contains links to other
sites, such as the Library of Congress, that contain comprehensive historical, social, and political background.
www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/info.asp
This United Nations site allows you to search for statistical information for member states of the U.N.
www.worldinformation.com
This site provides an additional source of current and historical information about countries around the world.
www.rpcv.org
This is the site of the National Peace Corps Association, made up of returned Volunteers. On this site you can find
links to all the Web pages of the friends of groups for most countries of service, made up of former Volunteers who
served in those countries. There are also regional groups who frequently get together for social events and local
volunteer activities.
www.peacecorpswriters.org
This site is hosted by a group of returned Volunteer writers. It is a monthly online publication of essays and Volunteer
accounts of their Peace Corps service.
http://www.topix.net/world/vanuatu
http://www.vanuatu.net.vu
http://www.dailypost.cm.vu
http://www.vanuatunews.com
2. Bonnemaison, Joel. The Tree and the Canoe. Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 1994.
3. MacClancy, Jeremy. To Kill a Bird with Two Stones: A Short History of Vanuatu. Suva, Fiji: Institute of
Pacific Studies, 2002.
4. Montgomery, Charles. The Shark God: Encounters with Ghosts and Ancestors in the South Pacific. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 2007.
5. Van Trease, Howard. The Politics of Land in Vanuatu. Suva, Fiji: Institute of Pacific Studies, 1987.
2. Rice, Gerald T. The Bold Experiment: JFKs Peace Corps. Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame
Press, 1985.
3. Stossel, Scott. Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution
Press, 2004.
2. Casebolt, Marjorie DeMoss. Margarita: A Guatemalan Peace Corps Experience. Gig Harbor, Wash.: Red
Apple Publishing, 2000.
3. Erdman, Sarah. Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village. New York, N.Y.:
Picador, 2003.
4. Hessler, Peter. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze. New York, N.Y.: Perennial, 2001.
5. Kennedy, Geraldine ed. From the Center of the Earth: Stories out of the Peace Corps. Santa Monica, Calif.:
Clover Park Press, 1991.
6. Thompsen, Moritz. Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle. Seattle, Wash.: University of Washington Press,
1997 (reprint).
Communicat ions
We realize the United States has become an "instant communication" society. When a Volunteer comes to Vanuatu,
family members of the Volunteer have to adjust their expectations about how often they can communicate. A few of
our Volunteers based in semi-rural communities will have some Internet connectivity, but most Volunteers will have
no connection.
Mail
Pre-service training is held on the island of Efat, north of Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. During training, family
and friends can send mail to you at the Peace Corps office. The address is:
Your Name
Peace Corps/Vanuatu
PMB 9097
Port Vila
Republic of Vanuatu
Although you can collect your mail from the office, the Peace Corps staff usually brings it to the training site.
Once you are sworn-in as a Volunteer, you may choose to have your mail sent to your site. Most provincial centers in
Vanuatu have a small post office; otherwise, mail can be sent to the Peace Corps office and staff will forward it to
your site. Airmail sent from Port Vila takes two to four weeks to reach the United States. The length of time for mail
sent from the United States varies, but small envelopes and parcels generally arrive in Port Vila in two or three
weeks. If one is lucky, sea freight mail will take around three months.
Telephones
There is one landline telephone company in Vanuatu (Vanuatu Telecom). Internal calls are very expensive.
Telephone service is fully available in urban areas and intermittent in rural areas. Phone cards can be purchased at the
Vanuatu Telecom office and at many stores and these cards can be used for the public phones in Port Vila. At your
site, there is likely to be phone service within walking distance, but this is not always the case. Mobile phone
coverage is expanding in the country, but there are still some sites that lack mobile phone service. Peace
Corps/Vanuatu updates its communications strategy regularly and provides satellite phones and high frequency radios
for Volunteers in remote areas where there is no telephone coverage.
You can also access email and the Internet at the Peace Corps offices resource center, which has four computers for
use by trainees and Volunteers. A sign-up sheet is used during peak periods. There is no Internet access at the training
site and trainees visit Port Vila only occasionally.
At about the midpoint of pre-service training, you will do a Host Volunteer Visit (HVV). This three-day visit to a
currently serving Volunteer will enable you to experience life in a village with someone who is well adjusted and has
learned many lessons the hard way. Although it wont be your specific site, it will be similar and you will learn a lot
about village life by shadowing your host Volunteer.
Toward the end of PST, the Peace Corps will open an account for you at the National Bank of Vanuatu, where it will
deposit your living allowance every two months. This bank has branches on many of the islands, so it is easy for most
Volunteers to access their bank account.
Peace Corps/Vanuatu will provide you with various resources and materials for use during training and service.
Normally you are provided with items such as a medical kit, mattress, lantern, sheets, and mosquito net. These items
are yours to use while you are a Volunteer, but must be returned at the end of your service.
After you take the oath of service at the end of PST, you will receive a settling-in allowance of 30,000 vatu per
individual (approximately U.S. $300) or 50,000 vatu per couple (approximately U.S. $500) to purchase household
items such as pots, pans, and a stove.
While many of Vanuatus foods, such as taros, yams, and breadfruit, will be familiar, you are likely to rapidly
develop a taste for virtually all of them. Papayas, pineapples, mangoes, plantains, and sweet potatoes are abundant
during much of the year. Coconut milk and cream are used to flavor many dishes, and you will soon appreciate them
as much as the Ni-Vanuatu do. Most food is cooked using hot stones or through boiling and steaming; very little food
is fried.
During PST, you will become familiar with Vanuatus traditional island food (fish, taro, yams, etc.), or aelan kakae,
by eating it with your host family. You will eventually develop your favorite dishes and learn how to cook some of
them, albeit in your own style.
In addition, every island has a small port or wharf where small cargo ships and boats regularly dock. After one arrives
at these locations, transportation is usually via pickup truck, foot, or small boat. Port Vila and Luganville have
numerous taxis and mass-transit vans that provide good service at a reasonable cost. Peace Corps Volunteers are
prohibited from driving or riding on motorcycles.
The water temperature ranges from 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) in winter to 82 F (28 C) in the
summer. It is cool between April and September and the days become hotter and more humid beginning in October.
The daily temperature ranges from 68 F to 90 F (20-32 C). Southeasterly trade winds occur from May to October.
Vanuatu has a long rainy session, with significant rainfall occurring nearly every month. The wettest and hottest
months are December through April, which also constitute the cyclone season. The driest months are June through
November. Remember, the weather is very unpredictable and the seasons dont always mean anything. Its best to be
mentally prepared for warm to hot, humid to wet, weather. Bring a light windbreaker for those cold winter days when
the temperature dips down into the low 70s.
Vanuatu has a variety of natural hazards, such as cyclones, volcanic activity, and earthquakes. Cyclones are the only
natural event that generally affects the entire country at once in one way or another. Although they can occur at any
time of the year, they are most frequent between January and April. You will receive detailed information about how
to cope with cyclones and other natural hazards during PST.
Peace Corps/Vanuatu is headquartered in Port Vila and Volunteers will at one time or another travel to and from there
for work-related or personal reasons. Being in Port Vila provides many Volunteers the opportunity to utilize the
resource center at the Peace Corps office for Internet access. Port Vila and Luganville are also the two major towns
where you will find a variety of restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs for evening entertainment.
Although T-shirts are suitable for days off and swimsuits are fine for the beach, you should have at least one or two
nice outfits for special occasions, even if your worksite is in a rural area.
Although attitudes about womens dress are more liberal in Port Vila and Luganville, female Volunteers should dress
modestly. Wearing loose fitting tops with skirts is a local fashion, so it is worth bringing such blouses with you. If a
dress or blouse is transparent, a camisole or slip is necessary. It is never appropriate for women to show bare thighs
(except at tourist pools and tourist beaches), and short-shorts for women are considered improper. When swimming in
non-resort areas, women should wrap a lava-lava (a sarong-like wrap) around their waist. Many female Volunteers
find it is most acceptable in rural areas to wear a Mother Hubbarda dress that is sold locally and may be given to
you by your PST host family.
Lightweight but durable cotton or cotton-blend clothes are the most comfortable in Vanuatus hot and humid climate.
Local methods of washing clothes can be very hard on them. Note that leather is subject to mold and mildew and
elastic tends to lose its elasticity. Since you may not have electricity for an iron, you may have to get used to wearing
more wrinkled clothes than you usually do.
In the hot, direct tropical sun, protective hats are a must. You should also bring raingear (a rain hat is especially
desirable if you wear glasses) and a windbreaker for cooler weather. You will need some warm clothes, such as
sweatshirts and sweaters, for the cooler months, particularly at night.
For most of the year, sandals without socks are the standard footwear for men and women (sandals like Tevas not
only are very comfortable and durable, but seem to be a Peace Corps tradition). Many Volunteers also like to wear
regular shoes and socks in the cooler months. You will be doing a lot of walking, so think comfort and durability
when you buy shoes (i.e., light hiking shoes or sneakers). Local people work and play in flip-flops.
All types of clothing are available in Port Vila and Luganville, but they can be expensive. However, many Volunteers
find bargains at the used-clothing stores in Port Vila and Luganville. It is helpful to learn your sizes according to the
European metric system.
Pe rsonal Safe t y
More detailed information about the Peace Corps approach to safety is contained in the Health Care and Safety
chapter, but it is an important issue and cannot be overemphasized. As stated in the Volunteer Handbook, becoming a
Peace Corps Volunteer entails certain safety risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment (oftentimes
alone), having a limited understanding of local language and culture, and being perceived as well-off are some of the
factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Many Volunteers experience varying degrees of unwanted attention and
harassment. Petty thefts and burglaries are not uncommon, and incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur,
although most Vanuatu Volunteers complete their two years of service without personal security incidents. The Peace
Corps has established procedures and policies designed to help you reduce your risks and enhance your safety and
security. These procedures and policies, in addition to safety training, will be provided once you arrive in Vanuatu. At
the same time, you are expected to take responsibility for your safety and well-being.
Information on these pages gives messages on Volunteer health and Volunteer safety. There is a section titled Safety
and Security in Depth. This page lists such topics as the risks of serving as a Volunteer, posts safety support
systems, and emergency planning and communications.
You will be given a high degree of responsibility and independence in your workperhaps more than in any other
job you have had or will have. You will often find yourself in situations that require an ability to motivate yourself
and your co-workers with little guidance from supervisors. You might work for months without seeing any visible
impact from, or receiving feedback on, your work. Development is a slow process. Positive progress most often
comes after the combined efforts of several Volunteers over the course of many years. You must possess the self-
confidence, patience, and vision to continue working toward long-term goals without seeing immediate results.
To overcome these difficulties, you will need patience, maturity, flexibility, open-mindedness, resourcefulness, and a
positive attitude. The Peace Corps/Vanuatu staff, your co-workers, and fellow Volunteers will support you during
times of challenge, as well as in moments of success. Judging by the experience of former Volunteers, the peaks are
well worth the difficult times, and most Volunteers leave Vanuatu feeling they gained much more than they sacrificed
during their service. If you are able to make the commitment to integrate into your community and work hard, you
will be a successful Volunteer.
Volunteers are usually readily accepted into their community and form lasting friendships. However, it is important to
note that traditional customs and beliefs are held dear, especially in rural areas, and change comes slowly. Having to
constantly answer personal questions, the lack of privacy, being considered a rich foreigner, and the need to be
constantly aware of different social modes can all be frustrating. The Peace Corps is not for everyone.
Creativity, initiative, patience, flexibility, and a high tolerance for ambiguity are necessary attributes in confronting
the challenges associated with facilitating change in a new cultural setting. Your dedication can, however, lead to real
lasting results that empower community members not only to achieve your projects goals, but also to identify and
address other important needs. You are likely to experience the deep satisfaction of having played a role in a
grassroots development process that gives the people of Vanuatu greater control of their future.
Pre-service training is conducted in Vanuatu and directed by the Peace Corps with participation from representatives
of Vanuatu organizations, former Volunteers, and/or training contractors. The length of training is usually eight to 12
weeks, depending on the competencies required for the assignment. Vanuatu measures achievement of learning and
determines if trainees have successfully achieved competencies, including language standards, for swearing in as a
Peace Corps Volunteer.
Throughout service, Volunteers strive to achieve performance competencies. Initially, pre-service training affords the
opportunity for trainees to develop and test their own resources. As a trainee, you will play an active role in self-
education. You will be asked to decide how best to set and meet objectives and to find alternative solutions. You will
be asked to prepare for an experience in which you will often have to take the initiative and accept responsibility for
decisions. The success of your learning will be enhanced by your own effort to take responsibility for your learning
and through sharing experiences with others.
Peace Corps training is founded on adult learning methods and often includes experiential hands-on applications
such as conducting a participatory community needs assessment and facilitating groups. Successful training results in
competence in various technical, linguistic, cross-cultural, health, and safety and security areas. Integrating into the
community is usually one of the core competencies Volunteers strive to achieve both in pre-service training and
during the first several months of service. Successful sustainable development work is based on the local trust and
confidence Volunteers build by living in, and respectfully integrating into, the Vanuatu community and culture.
Trainees are prepared for this through a homestay experience, which often requires trainees to live with host
families during pre-service training. Integration into the community not only facilitates good working relationships,
but it fosters language learning and cross-cultural acceptance and trust, which help ensure your health, safety, and
security.
Woven into the competencies, the ability to communicate in the host country language is critical to being an effective
Peace Corps Volunteer. So basic is this precept that it is spelled out in the Peace Corps Act: No person shall be
assigned to duty as a Volunteer under this act in any foreign country or area unless at the time of such assignment he
(or she) possesses such reasonable proficiency as his (or her) assignment requires in speaking the language of the
country or area to which he (or she) is assigned.
Although Bislama is the national language, there are many other local languages throughout Vanuatu. You will not be
taught local languages during PST, but are encouraged to learn the local language of your community during your
service.
Evaluation of your performance throughout service is a continual process, as Volunteers are responsible 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week for their personal conduct and professional performance. Successful completion of pre-service
training is characterized by achievement of a set of learning objectives to determine competence. Failure to meet any
of the selection standards by the completion of training may be grounds for a withdrawal of selection and
disqualification from Peace Corps service.
Progress in ones own learning is a dialogue between you and the training staff. All of the training staffincluding
the training manager, and the language, technical, medical, safety and security, and cross-cultural trainerswill work
with you toward the highest possible competencies by providing you with feedback on learning objective
performance throughout training. After reviewing and observing your performance, the country director is responsible
for making the final decision on whether you have qualified to serve as a Volunteer in the host country.
Upon successful completion of training, trainees who qualify for Peace Corps service are required by law to swear or
affirm an oath of loyalty to the United States; it cannot be waived under any circumstances. The text of the oath is
provided below. If you have any questions about the wording or meaning of the oath, consult a staff member during
training.
I, (your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of
America against all enemies, domestic or foreign, that I take this obligation freely, and without any mental
reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge my duties in the Peace Corps (so help
me God).
Ongoing Learning
You are expected to improve your knowledge and skills in the areas of technical, language, cross-cultural, diversity,
health, and safety throughout your service as a Volunteer. Training staff provide learning objectives during the 27-
month continuum to help guide Volunteers throughout service. The manner in which you do this may be formal,
through tutoring or workshops organized by the host government or in-country staff, or informally, through
conversations and reading. Your learning will continue after you become a Volunteer, formally and through in-
service training opportunities, specialized language or technical workshops, and a close-of-service workshop to help
you evaluate your service and prepare for your return to the United States.
The number, length, and design of these trainings are adapted to country-specific needs and conditions. The key to the
Peace Corps training system is that learning events are competency-based, designed, implemented, and evaluated
cooperatively by the Peace Corps staff and Volunteers.
1
Peace Corps Manual section 201.305.4.
The Peace Corps highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical
programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to disease. The Peace Corps in Vanuatu
maintains a clinic with a full-time medical officer, who takes care of Volunteers primary health care needs.
Additional medical services, such as testing and basic treatment, are also available in Vanuatu at local hospitals. If
you become seriously ill, you will be transported either to an American-standard medical facility in the region or to
the United States.
Since weather in Vanuatu is hot and humid much of the time, good personal hygiene is important to prevent skin
diseases.
During pre-service training, you will have access to basic medical supplies through the medical officer. However,
you will be responsible for your own supply of prescription drugs and any other specific medical supplies you
require, as the Peace Corps will not order these items during training. Please bring a three-month supply of any
prescription drugs you use, since they may not be available here and it may take several months for shipments to
arrive.
You will have physicals at midservice and at the end of your service. If you develop a serious medical problem during
your service, the medical officer in Vanuatu will consult with the Office of Medical Services in Washington, D.C. If
it is determined that your condition cannot be treated in Vanuatu, you may be sent out of the country for further
evaluation and care.
To suppress attacks of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, you must take an approved anti-malarial drug, usually
mefloquine. Mefloquine has been shown to be the most effective and practical drug in areas with significant
chloroquine resistance. Taken at the prophylactic dose of 250 mg per week, mefloquine is safe and generally well-
tolerated. Fewer than 5 percent of all Volunteers worldwide experience annoying side effects from mefloquine. With
rare exceptions, Volunteers must remain on mefloquine for the duration of their stay in Vanuatu. As an alternative to
mefloquine, doxycycline, an antibiotic, can be taken daily.
Abstinence is the only certain choice for preventing infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs). You are taking risks if you choose to be sexually active. To lessen risk, use a condom every time you have
sex. Whether your partner is a host country citizen, a fellow Volunteer, or anyone else, do not assume this person is
free of HIV/AIDS or other STDs. You will receive more information from the medical officer about this important
issue.
Volunteers are expected to adhere to an effective means of birth control to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Your
medical officer can help you decide on the most appropriate method to suit your individual needs. Contraceptive
methods are available without charge from the medical officer.
It is critical to your health that you promptly report to the medical office or other designated facility for scheduled
immunizations, and that you let the medical officer know immediately of significant illnesses and injuries.
If feminine hygiene products are not available for you to purchase on the local market, the Peace Corps medical
officer in Vanuatu will provide them. If you require a specific product, please bring a three-month supply with you.
If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your physical exam is more than two years old, contact the
Office of Medical Services to find out whether you need to update your records. If your dentist or Peace Corps dental
consultant has recommended that you undergo dental treatment or repair, you must complete that work and make sure
your dentist sends requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the Office of Medical Services.
If you wish to avoid having duplicate vaccinations, contact your physicians office to obtain a copy of your
immunization record and bring it to your pre-departure orientation. If you have any immunizations prior to Peace
Corps service, the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for the cost. The Peace Corps will provide all the
immunizations necessary for your overseas assignment, either at your pre-departure orientation or shortly after you
arrive in Vanuatu. You do not need to begin taking malaria medication prior to departure.
Bring a three-month supply of any prescription or over-the-counter medication you use on a regular basis, including
birth control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for this three-month supply, it will order refills
during your service. While awaiting shipmentwhich can take several monthsyou will be dependent on your own
medication supply. The Peace Corps will not pay for herbal or nonprescribed medications, such as St. Johns wort,
glucosamine, selenium, or antioxidant supplements.
You are encouraged to bring copies of medical prescriptions signed by your physician. This is not a requirement, but
they might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about carrying a three-month supply of prescription drugs.
If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with youa pair and a spare. If a pair breaks, the Peace Corps will replace it,
using the information your doctor in the United States provided on the eyeglasses form during your examination. The
Peace Corps discourages you from using contact lenses during your service to reduce your risk of developing a
serious infection or other eye disease. Most Peace Corps countries do not have appropriate water and sanitation to
support eye care with the use of contact lenses. The Peace Corps will not supply or replace contact lenses or
associated solutions unless an ophthalmologist has recommended their use for a specific medical condition and the
Peace Corps Office of Medical Services has given approval.
Beyond knowing that Peace Corps approaches safety and security as a partnership with you, it might be helpful to see
how this partnership works. The Peace Corps has policies, procedures, and training in place to promote your safety.
We depend on you to follow those policies and to put into practice what you have learned. An example of how this
works in practicein this case to help manage the risk of burglaryis:
Peace Corps assesses the security environment where you will live and work
Peace Corps inspects the house where you will live according to established security criteria
Peace Corp provides you with resources to take measures such as installing new locks
Peace Corps ensures you are welcomed by host country authorities in your new community
Peace Corps responds to security concerns that you raise
You lock your doors and windows
You adopt a lifestyle appropriate to the community where you live
You get to know neighbors
You decide if purchasing personal articles insurance is appropriate for you
You dont change residences before being authorized by Peace Corps
You communicate concerns that you have to Peace Corps staff
This Welcome Book contains sections on: Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle; Peace Corps Training; and
Your Health Care and Safety that all include important safety and security information to help you understand this
partnership. The Peace Corps makes every effort to give Volunteers the tools they need to function in the safest way
possible, because working to maximize the safety and security of Volunteers is our highest priority. Not only do we
provide you with training and tools to prepare for the unexpected, but we teach you to identify, reduce, and manage
the risks you may encounter.
Before you depart for Vanuatu there are several measures you can take to recuce your risk:
Choose safe routes and times for travel, and travel with someone trusted by the community whenever
possible
Make sure ones personal appearance is respectful of local customs
Avoid high-crime areas
Know the local language to get help in an emergency
Make friends with local people who are respected in the community
Limit alcohol consumption
As you can see from this list, you have to be willing to work hard and adapt your lifestyle to minimize the potential
for being a target for crime. As with anywhere in the world, crime does exist in Vanuatu. You can reduce your risk by
avoiding situations that place you at risk and by taking precautions. Crime at the village or town level is less frequent
than in large cities; people know each other and generally are less likely to steal from their neighbors. Tourist
attractions in large towns are favorite worksites for pickpockets.
The following are other security concerns in Vanuatu of which you should be aware.
Creeping or kriping is a common event that female Volunteers have a significant chance of experiencing during
their service in Vanuatu. Creeping in Vanuatu is a culturally and socially accepted form of courtship. It is how
someone of the opposite sex will show their interest in you. Sometimes in Vanuatu a potential suitor will not directly
alert you to their interest in you as they will be embarrassed or afraid of how it may be perceived by either their
family or your host family. Therefore, creeping usually entails a night visit outside of your house when everyone,
including yourself, may be asleep. The potential suitor may call out your name from outside in a whisper or throw
stones or pebbles close to where you are sleeping in order to wake you. Then he may ask you to come outside or
allow him inside. Many female Volunteers in Vanuatu are creeped and this can be a frightening experience for the
unprepared Volunteer. It is important to remember that this is a cultural show of interest that can normally be handled
in a culturally appropriate way. During your pre-service training you will receive extensive orientation about
kriping and how to deal with it when you are a Volunteer.
While whistles and exclamations may be fairly common on the street, this behavior can be reduced if you dress
conservatively, abide by local cultural norms, and respond according to the training you will receive.
1. Incidence rates equal the number of assaults per 100 Volunteers and trainees per year (V/T years). Since most
sexual assaults occur against females, only female V/Ts are calculated in sexual assaults and other sexual assaults.
2. Due to the small number of V/T years, incidence rates should be interpreted with caution.
2
The incidence rate for each type of crime is the number of crime events relative to the Volunteer/trainee population. It is
expressed on the chart as a ratio of crime to Volunteer and trainee years (or V/T years, which is a measure of 12 full months
of V/T service) to allow for a statistically valid way to compare crime data across countries.
Prior to CIRF and prior to 2006, Other Sexual Assaults were termed Minor Sexual Assaults.
Few Peace Corps Volunteers are victims of serious crimes and crimes that do occur overseas are investigated and
prosecuted by local authorities through the local courts system. If you are the victim of a crime, you will decide if you
wish to pursue prosecution. If you decide to prosecute, Peace Corps will be there to assist you. One of our tasks is to
ensure you are fully informed of your options and understand how the local legal process works. Peace Corps will
help you ensure your rights are protected to the fullest extent possible under the laws of the country.
If you are the victim of a serious crime, you will learn how to get to a safe location as quickly as possible and contact
your Peace Corps office. Its important that you notify Peace Corps as soon as you can so Peace Corps can provide
you with the help you need.
The Peace Corps/Vanuatu office will keep you informed of any issues that may impact Volunteer safety through
information sharing. Regular updates will be provided in Volunteer newsletters and in memorandums from the
country director. In the event of a critical situation or emergency, you will be contacted through the emergency
communication network. An important component of the capacity of the Peace Corps to keep you informed is your
buy-in to the partnership concept with the Peace Corps staff. It is expected that you will do your part in ensuring that
Peace Corps staff members are kept apprised of your movements in-country so that they are capable of informing
you.
Volunteer training will include sessions on specific safety and security issues in Vanuatu. This training will prepare
you to adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment that promotes safety and reduces risk in your
home, at work, and while traveling. Safety training is offered throughout service and is integrated into the language,
cross-cultural aspects, health, and other components of training. You will be expected to successfully complete all
training competencies in a variety of areas, including safety and security, as a condition of service.
Certain site selection criteria are used to determine safe housing for Volunteers before their arrival. The Peace Corps
staff works closely with host communities and counterpart agencies to help prepare them for a Volunteers arrival and
to establish expectations of their respective roles in supporting the Volunteer. Each site is inspected before the
Volunteers arrival to ensure placement in appropriate, safe, and secure housing and worksites. Site selection is based,
in part, on any relevant site history; access to medical, banking, postal, and other essential services; availability of
communications, transportation, and markets; different housing options and living arrangements; and other Volunteer
support needs.
You will also learn about Peace Corps/Vanuatus detailed emergency action plan, which is implemented in the
event of civil or political unrest or a natural disaster. When you arrive at your site, you will complete and submit a
site locator form with your address, contact information, and a map to your house. If there is a security threat, you
will gather with other Volunteers in Vanuatu at predetermined locations until the situation is resolved or the Peace
Corps decides to evacuate.
In fulfilling its mandate to share the face of America with host countries, the Peace Corps is making special efforts to
see that all of Americas richness is reflected in the Volunteer corps. More Americans of color are serving in todays
Peace Corps than at any time in recent years. Differences in race, ethnic background, age, religion, and sexual
orientation are expected and welcomed among our Volunteers. Part of the Peace Corps mission is to help dispel any
notion that Americans are all of one origin or race and to establish that each of us is as thoroughly American as the
other despite our many differences.
Our diversity helps us accomplish that goal. In other ways, however, it poses challenges. In Vanuatu, as in other
Peace Corps host countries, Volunteers behavior, lifestyle, background, and beliefs are judged in a cultural context
very different from their own. Certain personal perspectives or characteristics commonly accepted in the United
States may be quite uncommon, unacceptable, or even repressed in Vanuatu.
Outside of Vanuatus capital, residents of rural communities have had relatively little direct exposure to other
cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles. What people view as typical American behavior or norms may be a
misconception, such as the belief that all Americans are rich and have blond hair and blue eyes. The people of
Vanuatu are justly known for their generous hospitality to foreigners; however, members of the community in which
you will live may display a range of reactions to cultural differences that you present.
To ease the transition and adapt to life in Vanuatu, you may need to make some temporary, yet fundamental
compromises in how you present yourself as an American and as an individual. For example, female trainees and
Volunteers may not be able to exercise the independence available to them in the United States; political discussions
need to be handled with great care; and some of your personal beliefs may best remain undisclosed. You will need to
develop techniques and personal strategies for coping with these and other limitations. The Peace Corps staff will
lead diversity and sensitivity discussions during pre-service training and will be on call to provide support, but the
challenge ultimately will be your own.
Once you move to your site, you may work and live with individuals who have no experience or understanding of a
non-Caucasian-American culture. Out of ignorance or because of Vanuatus current or historical involvement with
other countries, you may encounter stereotyped cultural perceptions. You may not be perceived as being American at
first because you are not Caucasian. You need to be prepared for staring, pointing, and comments in any community
in which you are not known. Finally, while very uncommon, you should be prepared to hear derogatory terms or
racial epithets that would be considered completely inappropriate in the United States.
On occasion, older Volunteers may not pick up the language as easily as younger Volunteers. Please do not be
disheartened by this, but rather with the assistance of the staff, develop a strategy for your individual approach to
language learning to reach the required level of proficiency.
Homosexuals certainly exist in Vanuatu, but not with the same level of acceptance as there is in the United States.
Most homosexuals in Vanuatu have probably migrated to the larger cities, while most Volunteers are posted in
smaller communities. Styles of hair, earrings on men, and certain clothing viewed as acceptable in the United States
may be considered inappropriate in Vanuatu.
The Peace Corps staff maintains a supportive atmosphere for all Volunteers and will address the concerns of gay,
lesbian, and bisexual Volunteers in a sensitive manner.
In Vanuatu, as in other parts of the world, some people may hold prejudicial attitudes toward individuals with
disabilities and may discriminate against them. In addition, there is very little infrastructure that can accommodate
people with disabilities.
Your roles may be different in a new culture. A married man may be encouraged to be the more dominant member in
the relationship or to make decisions independent of his spouses views or to have his wife serve him. He also many
be ridiculed if he performs domestic tasks. On the other hand, a married woman may find herself in a less
independent role than that to which she is accustomed. She may experience a more limited social life in the
community than single Volunteers (since it may be assumed that she will be busy taking care of her husband). She
may also be expected to perform traditional domestic chores such as cooking or cleaning.
Competition may cause difficulties; one spouse may learn faster than the other (e.g., language skills, job
skills)
Married couples are likely to be treated with more respect because the community sees marriage as a
responsibility
Often there are separate male and female social activities in the villages and so the wife is expected to join in
with the women while the husband is with the men
Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to take pets, weapons, explosives, radio transmitters (shortwave radios are
permitted), automobiles, or motorcycles to their overseas assignments. Do not pack flammable materials or liquids
such as lighter fluid, cleaning solvents, hair spray, or aerosol containers. This is an important safety precaution.
Where will my site assignment be when I finish training and how isolated will I be?
Peace Corps trainees are not assigned to individual sites until after they have completed pre-service training. This
gives Peace Corps staff the opportunity to assess each trainees technical and language skills prior to assigning sites,
in addition to finalizing site selections with their ministry counterparts. If feasible, you may have the opportunity to
provide input on your site preferences, including geographical location, distance from other Volunteers, and living
conditions. However, keep in mind that many factors influence the site selection process and that the Peace Corps
cannot guarantee placement where you would ideally like to be. Most Volunteers live in small towns or in rural
villages and are usually within one hour from another Volunteer. Some sites require a 10- to 12-hour drive from the
capital. There is at least one Volunteer based in each of the regional capitals and about five to eight Volunteers in the
capital city.
The primary objective of the project is to identify a combination of local crops that can serve as good feed for layer
hens. This is done by running controlled experiments with hens to determine which feed crops support high levels of
egg production. If local crops can be used as feed, then potential poultry farmers can rely on their own land and labor
to sustain their flock, rather than depend upon commercially available feeds that must be shipped in from elsewhere.
This drastically reduces the cost of running a poultry operation on one hand, and protects the farmers from the
uncertainties of inter-island shipping on the other.
The secondary objective of the project is to establish a model poultry farm. The project is located in a highly visible
location, and community members, as well as visitors to the community, are able to observe for themselves how a
successful poultry farm is managed. Seeing how the project works has aroused much interest among people from my
village and from neighboring villages, and many people have requested that I help them learn the basics. To that end,
I will be running a four-day workshop on poultry farming in the next few months.
Through the establishment and management of this project, my counterpart and I have learned much about running a
poultry farm, and we are continually sharing this knowledge with others who are interested. And now that the hens
have started laying, we can begin collecting data on what kinds of local crops are best for feeding a flock of layer
hens. Finally, the most tangible benefit of the project is that people in my community now have a reliable, cheap, and
fresh source of eggs. The project is still in its early stages, but because of the protein source it provides and the
interest it has aroused in local agribusiness potential, I consider it a success.
John Wheatley
At my rural training center, a vocational-type school, I teach small business, a basic math course, and home care.
Earlier this year the schools construction students had the project of building a cement bread oven. Upon its
completion the home care students fired it up for the first time and each made a loaf of bread, which was to be sold in
the student-run school store (after tasting one, of course).
While the bread was baking we sat down in the classroom and determined the cost of making each individual loaf,
using fraction skills that we had been working on in math class. I continually stress to my students that price needs to
not be an arbitrary figure, it needs to reflect your expenses and so you need to know what they are.
The students decided to bake bread twice a week and to post notices at different locations so our potential customers
would be aware of this new product. We had made bread four or five times when the Peace Corps asked me to leave
my site for a meeting. I asked my students if they wanted to continue to make bread while I was gone and they said
yes, saying since they had already posted signs saying there would be bread they wanted to stick to it. This really
pleased me since we had talked about consistency and reliability being important in business. At the same time, I was
not entirely confident that they had mastered the skill since I usually had to provide a little prompting and reminding.
They were enthusiastic, so I left my husband a list of materials to have for them and gave him a run-down on the
process in case they needed to ask him questions.
I have been very proud of my students on this project, from start to finish. I feel like each of them has truly mastered
the skills necessary to start and continue something like this on their own in the future.
Sarah Reedy
We are in the midst of a huge undertaking: trying to get piped water to our village. The past month has been filled
with meetings, planning, and community workdays. Several trips were taken on the dreaded and treacherous trip, to
the water source at the top of the mountain. The first community workday we had over 70 community members
carrying cement mix, coral, sand, wire, buckets, and pipes on the 4-kilometer hike through muck and scariness.
After falling squarely on my butt and sliding down the mountain for the fifth time on one such trip, I was beginning to
feel crabby. While half submerged in a mud puddle, scratches all over my body, and sweat stinging my eyes, I
considered just laying there for awhile and pouting until I looked up and saw Uma (Grandma) Bessy. Uma is about 80
years, maybe weighs 90 pounds, and was barefoot, wearing an island dress, and carrying a bag of coral on top of her
head. She was smiling at me with a look on her face like, Well, what the heck are you doing laying in a mud puddle?
Get off your butt and lets go! My attitude changed instantly as I looked around: an 80-year-old granny kicking my
butt, the rest of the mamas in their dresses, carrying huge bags of cement, yodeling, singing, rolling around laughing.
And much to my surprise, some of the normally modest mamas had hiked their dresses/shirts up to their necks (to air
out the chest/armpit area, presumably). And then there was Marie, my host auntie, practicing her English with me the
whole time. Krissy! Krissy! Wee... are... eeeen... thee JUNGLE! Only in Vanuatu, I thought, and continued my
antap (trip).
Kristine Alaniz
This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Vanuatu and is based on their experience. Use it as an informal
guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that each experience is individual. There is no perfect list! You
obviously cannot bring everything on the list, so consider those items that make the most sense to you personally and
professionally. You can always have things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have
an 80-pound weight limit on baggage. And remember, you can get almost everything you need in Vanuatu.
Many Volunteers put a lot of effort into packing for their Peace Corps service because it is hard to predict what and
how much you will need. Keep in mind that most Volunteers bring too much, especially clothing. If you cant live
without something, bring it, but remember you are traveling to a developing country and less is more in many ways.
The cultural considerations on the list below are to give you an idea of what you need, but vary for different parts of
Vanuatu. It is a diverse country with urban and rural settings. The best thing to do is to prepare for any situation!
General
Belt (1) Not leather
Clothing
Everyone in Vanuatu wears sandals or flip-flops. Poor quality ones are found
locally. A pair of running/trail shoes may be useful, especially for runners.
Footwear
Hiking sandals (i.e. Tevas or Chacos) are good for rainy season and water
activities. Reef shoes with thick soles are preferable for swimming in the sea.
Hats & Wide brim hats or baseball type hats are useful for rain/sun. Few are available
Bandanas in Vanuatu. Bandanas are useful and are not easily found in Vanuatu.
A poncho works very well for walking with a backpack. It can rain often in
Vanuatu and many people just accept it and get wet. Raincoats are not easily
Raingear
obtainable and most Ni-Vanuatu do not use them. Umbrellas are readily
available and inexpensive.
(1-2) On the island, Ni-Vanuatu and most Volunteers swim in their clothes. A
Swimsuits swimsuit may be useful or more comfortable, especially if you swim often.
Women can wear them in the capital or with a T-shirt and shorts on the island.
(1-2 weeks worth) Bring what is comfortable and durable. Some Volunteers
Underwear & give up the practice of wearing underwear; however, those who stick to it
Socks appreciate ones from home. Bring socks if you run, are bringing real shoes or
get cold feet. (3-4 pairs, more if you run)
Volunteers may wear "western" style clothing (jeans, etc.) more often in Port
Western style Vila. Short skirts and shorts are still not recommended for women. Remember,
most of your time will be spent at your site, so pack appropriately.
Clothing for (1-2) Casual, loose, long dresses, sleeveless is a plus. Most teachers and
Dresses
Women professional women wear island dresses, found locally. Roomy but hot!
(4-5) T-shirts or sleeveless (no thin-strap or strapless) shirts will be worn most
Shirts often with skirts. A button-down shirt or polo may be useful, depending on
your profession.
(2-3) Below the knee, quick-dry or board shorts. Ni-Vanuatu women only
Shorts wear shorts around the house, in the capital, when they go swimming in the
sea, or under their island dresses. These are good at night.
(5-7) Loose, calf-length or longer, not see-through, durable. Worn most often
Skirts
with T-shirts.
(1) Ni-Vanuatu women wear slips (petticoats) under island dresses; cheap ones
Slips & Bras can be found locally. (5-7) Sport bras or camisole-style bras work well. Bring
what is most comfortable in hot weather.
LED headlamps are the best. Bring extra batteries or rechargeable batteries
with a small solar charger. Wind-up torches are also available here. Ni-
Flashlights
Vanuatu use kerosene lamps for their homes and waterproof torches for diving
at night, etc.
A small battery operated or hand crank short-wave radio is nice to have, Some
Radio
Ni-Vanuatu have radios or tape players.
USB Flash
(2-4) Very useful for transporting documents between offices and islands and
Drive (Memory
storing photos. They are available in-country but are very expensive.
Stick)
General
Baggies Good to keep things dry. Bring many different sizes.
Supplies
The Peace Corps resource center has books for pleasure and for work. Most
Volunteers who bring books do not take them back to the U.S.; they circulate
Books among Volunteers during service. You may want to bring certain books that
you want to read. There is not a real book store in Vanuatu. A few places sell
very expensive books and dictionaries. Teachers may want a grammar book.
Ear plugs Great for light sleepers or for sleeping through the sound of roosters.
(1-2) Good-quality sunglasses are very useful here, but may be ruined, so use
Eyewear
your discretion. Bring two pairs of prescription eyeglasses (if applicable).
Thank-you gifts for counterparts and training family are appreciated and its
Gifts difficult to find good quality, cheap things here. Consider inexpensive
watches, playing cards, soccer balls (with needle), etc.
Good world, U.S., and South Pacific region maps are good ideas, especially
Maps for schools or to show people. Make sure your maps are laminated; they are
available in Vanuatu but are expensive. An atlas is also a nice reference tool.
It is nice to have pictures of your family, friends, house, street, city, etc.
Pictures
Ni-Vanuatu love to look at pictures and people and things from all over the
world.
Sleeping Gear Plain bed sheets are available in Vanuatu, as well as thick and thin blankets,
although fitted sheets are not. Peace Corps issues a mattress to each Volunteer
Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman Tool are useful to many Volunteers. They
Tools are not necessary but are not available in Vanuatu. Hammers, etc. are available
here.
Travel Alarm Must use batteries or solar energy (watches with alarms can suffice).
A sturdy backpack (with rain cover) or duffel bag for three- to four-day trips
Backpacks
and a day pack.
Basic supplies are available here: pens, paper, notebooks, etc. The quality may
not be what you're used to. A startup supply of pens, a small stapler, a
Office Supplies
calculator (very expensive here), quality scissors, and duct tape. This also
depends on your job assignment. Stickers are great for teachers to bring.
The water is, for the most part, clean and drinkable; you will not need a water
Water filter here. Nalgene type bottles are helpful; bottles with measurements on the
side are good for cooking.
Personal
Feminine The Peace Corps provides applicator-less tampons and pads during your
Hygiene and
Protection service. Otherwise, the selection in Vanuatu is limited. Bring what you need.
Toiletry Items
Prescription
Bring a six-month supply of all prescription medicines you require.
Medicines
Toothbrush
Occasionally needs cleaning, but keeps the critters off.
Holder
(1-2) Quick dry towels work well, but may still mold. Inexpensive towels are
Towels
available here, washclothes are not.
Mattress, thin blanket, pillow, sheets, mosquito net, life jacket, insect
**Peace Corps
repellent, medicines, first aid supplies, clothespins, vitamins, bucket, kerosene
Issued
lamp, and more!
The following list consists of suggestions for you to consider as you prepare to live outside the United States for two
years. Not all items will be relevant to everyone, and the list does not include everything you should make
arrangements for.
Family
Notify family that they can call the Peace Corps Office of Special Services at any time if there is a critical illness
or death of a family member (24-hour telephone number: 800.424.8580, extension 1470).
Give the Peace Corps On the Home Front handbook to family and friends.
Passport / Trave l
Forward to the Peace Corps travel office all paperwork for the Peace Corps passport and visas.
Verify that your luggage meets the size and weight limits for international travel.
Obtain a personal passport if you plan to travel after your service ends. (Your Peace Corps passport will expire
three months after you finish your service, so if you plan to travel longer, you will need a regular passport.)
Me dical/ He alt h
Complete any needed dental and medical work.
Arrange to bring a three-month supply of all medications (including birth control pills) you are currently taking.
Insur ance
Make arrangements to maintain life insurance coverage.
Arrange to maintain supplemental health coverage while you are away. (Even though the Peace Corps is
responsible for your health care during Peace Corps service overseas, it is advisable for people who have pre-
existing conditions to arrange for the continuation of their supplemental health coverage. If there is a lapse in
coverage, it is often difficult and expensive to be reinstated.)
Pe rsonal Pape rs
Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.
Vot ing
Register to vote in the state of your home of record. (Many state universities consider voting and payment of state
taxes as evidence of residence in that state.)
Obtain student loan deferment forms from the lender or loan service.
Execute a Power of Attorney for the management of your property and business.
Arrange for deductions from your readjustment allowance to pay alimony, child support, and other debts through
the Office of Volunteer Financial Operations at 800.424.8580, extension 1770.
Place all important papersmortgages, deeds, stocks, and bondsin a safe deposit box or with an attorney or
other caretaker.
This list of numbers will help connect you with the appropriate office at Peace Corps headquarters to answer various
questions. You can use the toll-free number and extension or dial directly using the local numbers provided. Be sure
to leave the toll-free number and extensions with your family so they can contact you in the event of an emergency.
Readjustment Allowance