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Mission
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1. Information and awareness among the majority of people concerning which sicknesses exist, how they are caused, and how they can be prevented
2. Resources at both the local and health care system levels to combat conditions that lead to disease, such as basic first aid supplies, clean water tanks, and mosquito screens.
1. Educational: We will present information and aid local health care providers in disseminating information about the causes of sickness and preventative measures that communities and families can adopt. Workshops will teach individuals how to help themselves and how to teach others in their communities. We will make the necessary supplies available and arrange for their continued availability from local stores.
2. Infrastructural: We will build basic infrastructure such as water tanks, toilets, and mosquito screens for schools and communities. These projects will focus on schools and communities that most need such infrastructure.
Each project will focus on a single issue. By returning to the same areas and establishing consistent long term relationships with communities and health care organizers, we will be able to improve the standard of living in a measurable way. Additionally, our consistent projects and time among local communities will promote positive international relations and cultural exchange. Through fundraising and promotion in the United States, more Americans will be aware of the health conditions in Vanuatu, providing further support and making people think of others outside their own living situations. Increased communication, awareness, and compassion between nations and cultures are essential in a global world. We hope that the improved living conditions, the positive connections, and the friendships we establish will continue, ensuring lasting, positive change.
News and Events
“If you have power you have a responsibility to use it, and you cannot walk away from it…. I don't want to see the future of your children and grandchildren compromised because … we failed to reach across the religious and cultural divides of this world; because we failed to do something about the fact that half the world's people are living on less than $2 a day…. The governments of the world will have to do some of this, but people can do a lot of it - private citizens, not only of the United States but of any country in the world, doing public good." - Bill Clinton, June 5, 2006.
May 2006 - Landon Azalea Festival
Thank you to everyone who visited and supported us at the Landon Azalea Festival May 5-7 of 2006. We presented a poster with photos of Vanuatu and our basic mission. And we answered a lot of questions!
Approximately 30,000 people visit The Landon School for boys for their scholarship fundraising weekend (ironically, similar to the number of residents on Malekula). It was a great weekend and we received a lot of interest about our work and the people of Vanuatu. Few people had heard of Vanuatu, but many were eager to learn and to help others in need. It was especially amazing was to see young students and children respond to some of the pictures, specifically the one of Kendry (on the current projects page).
The Landon School for Boys was extremely generous and supportive of our efforts. Thanks to everyone who participated!
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August 2006 - New York City Fundraiser
We are planning an evening open-bar fundraiser event in New York City in August. The cover charge will go towards helping health internationally, but the fun will go to you! We will let you know when we finalize the date!
August 2006 - We reached working agreements to partner with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, Peace Corps Vanuatu, Malekula Medical Relief Trust, and Pacific Yacht Medics.
We delievered medical supplies to Norsup Hospital and Dr. Reinhard Wunderlich a visiting physician who treated patients in remote areas. (Thank you Dr. Mark Mausner and Denise Burns of Suburban Hospital, MD for helping us organize and collect a large quantity of surgical supplies donated by Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland).
September 2006 - Volunteers helped the Malekula Medical Relief Trust (MMRT) to build a water tank and hand-washing stations in Orap Village, Malekula. We plan to supplement the work of MMRT in supplying clean water with education and awareness at the community level in a project during June and July 2007.
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November 2006 - Thanks to everyone who participated in our event at T.G. Whitney's in New York City on November 9! It was a very successfulnight that raised more than $1400 for our project in Vanuatu in June and July 2006! We are planning another fundraiser in Washington DC for February 2007 - keep an eye out for more details.
December 2006 - Neely Dahl, a Peace Corps Volunteer working with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, recently conducted an inventory review of Vanuatu clinics and hospitals. She determined that 1,200 bed sheets are needed in order for these clinics to change bed sheets once a day for inpatients. Microscopes are also needed for diagnostic purposes. We plan to conduct drives to address these needs from January to June 2007.
January 2007 - We have submitted our "Articles" and will soon submit the paperwork in order to incorporate our organization under 501c3 status. We will let you know when we do and when it is approved.
February 2007 – Fundraiser in Washington, DC. Details to follow!
June and July 2007 - Six volunteers will travel to Malekula and Epi, two rural island in Vanuatu, to conduct an education and awareness project on water sanitation, hand-washing, basic first-aid. They will present information on how to make soap out of coconuts, what diseases are present in rural Vanuatu, and what steps can be taken to prevent these diseases at the community level. Volunteers will also build "hand-washing stations" at the elementary and high schools where they make presentations. For more information see our "projects" page or email akudla@healthii.org or email akudla@healthii.org .