Background
In 2016, SHaRM Ecole Pikinini Foundation (“SHaRM Foundation”) with Byond Disaster Relief New Zealand coordinated and partnered to achieve brand new computer installations in the newly built Library and Technology room at Suango Mele Primary School in Mele, Vanuatu.
At handover, Byond Disaster Relief New Zealand provided 10 new computers, all networked, plus a laser printer. Sadly, Suango teachers were still behind in this technology and were not skilled in using the computers on a daily basis and utilizing this technology with the students.
In mid-2016 SHaRM Foundation met with Chris Allen, who also has links to Vanuatu. They discussed ways in which their foundation could assist with bringing a skilled group from New Zealand’s Canterbury University to implement training.
Joshua Foundation, run by Chris and Pam Allen in New Zealand is also supporting programs in education and aimed at the youth in New Zealand. SHaRM and Joshua Foundations discussed ways in which a program upskilling teachers on computer basics, excel spreadsheets, letterhead formats, diary management and presentation of teacher reporting and school work from the perspective of providing all teachers with these skills over a 3 or 4 day training period.
SHaRM Foundation then discussed the concept program with the headmasters at both Suango Mele Primary School and Vila North Primary School. Both schools confirmed their support for this to be implemented at the end of the school 2016 year.
Program implemented
The program was conducted between 2nd December – 10th December 2016. The program is outlined on the following Activity Sheet for the two schools to receive assistance. The schools assisted were :
- Suango Mele Primary School; (Walter Bong) and
- Vila North Primary School (Elina Gilu).
Recipient Teachers receiving training
Joshua Foundation was able to provide training over the course of 7 days to approximately 50 teachers at both schools.
The New Zealand team who provided training via Joshua Foundation included :
| Chris Allen | Joshua Foundation | Team Leader |
| Alison Faulls | University of Canterbury | Bachelor of Science (Cant), |
| M.Sc. Engineering Management | ||
| Josh Blackmore | University of Canterbury | Bachelor Engineering Computer and |
| software engineering | ||
| Felicity Powell | University of Canterbury | Bachelor Arts in Geography/Journalist |
| Lawson Osteen | Student | Art, Design, Facilitation student |
Activity Sheet for December 2016
Outcomes
Vila North School via Elina Gilu reported…
9th December 2016
“Thank you indeed for this arrangement, the teachers loved every single moment of the training and were eager for more..”
There are certificates of appreciation and letters to certify them carrying out the training is vital to the group and the university they came from”.
Elina Gilu
Headmistress, Vila North Primary School
Suango Mele Primary School – in discussion with the School Secretary and Walter Bong
We appreciated your training and the teachers all learnt so much from their workshop. Thank you so much for arranging the workshop and enabling the teachers now to have the skills to assist students and be more technology savvy for the start of the 2017 year.
THANKS
SHaRM Foundation would like to thank the following people who made this training successful :
- Akuma Malas, Chairman of Suango Mele Primary School and his wife Bella Walter Bong, Headmaster, Suango Mele Primary School
- Eliane Matauatu, School Secretary
- School teachers and members for the extra activities arranged in Mele Village
- Elian Gilu, Headmistress of Vila North School Ronald Thompson, Deputy School Principal
- Vila North teachers and tutors who took part in this training.
- Joshua Foundation – Chris and Pam Allen
- Tutors – Alison Faulls, Josh Blackmore, Felicity Powell and Lawson Osteen The team returned to New Zealand on 10th December 2016.
Report dated: 1 May 2017
Prepared by: SHaRM Pikinini Ecole Foundation PO Box 1667, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Ph: (+678) 7788224
Website: www.sharmfoundation.com
