We have lift off!!! This project is now underway!! A celebration was held in Mele Village on 6 June 2017 with the opening and inspection of a Lucas Sawmill. This is a new Mele Community project organised with Teletika Mele Community Trust, Byond Disaster Relief NZ and SHaRM Foundation. The celebration was witnessed by Mele Elders, youth and community members including Chief Masai, Lyndon Tamblyn, Byond Disaster Relief NZ, a Senior Mele Elder, Steph Neilson, SHaRM Foundation and Chief Poilapa. Phillip Malastapu, Teletika Chairman, has been pivotal in securing this project for the community which is aiming to training local Mele youth in forestry, saw milling and building skills etc which will all flow from this project.
While SHaRMs focus is on schools and education – our local village – Mele – has a large population of unemployed youth. This project will see trees fallen in Cyclone Pam provide a source of timber for rebuilding, provide an income from craft manufacture and assist those selected and unemployed youth gain skills to develop and hopefully train them to be self-sufficient. An opportunity for the community to make a difference within the largest village in Efate.
Training has commenced and the project will also run with the assistance of the Department of Forests.
As the Byond Disaster NZ team were wrapping up their 10 days on this project Lyndon Tamblyn and his team of five, James, Russell, Dave, James, and Megan donated many tools for upcoming SHaRM Foundation projects. Tank yu tumus, Byond and their NZ Donors. These donations will be used in future SHaRM school infrastructure rebuilds or in other Phases of the Kommuniti Mele project which will be follow soon.
