Etas and Prema

After our arrival in Vanuatu, Elder and Sister Larsen drove us past a plot of land near the airport where about 400 people had recently been evicted.  The land technically did not belong to them - they lived there illegally.  The government had warned them that they would have to move by a certain date, but to where?  When the notice date came all of their homes were bulldozed.

These people were given some land above another community called Etas.  With the addition of another 400 people to the "Etas" area the need for clean water escalated.  Clean water was one of the main concerns the mission president had when we meet with him.

When visited the community of Etas, the displaced people were clearing the land for the 400 new residents.  There are possibilities and a real need for a additional clean water in Etas.  We also visited a small locally built children's school in Etas as well.



Talking with the chief of displaced people





Land being cleared



New water tanks and beginning of homes 



Planting crops

 



School in Etas - red school bell is on the side of the building



Inside the school



 

Home in Etas

Another home

Children at play

After Etas we went to visit a community called Prema.  There had been a drought in Vanuatu.   In October it rained.  They received more rain than they needed. The river rose and flooded the community of Prema.  As part of an emergency response project the church provided fund to purchase blankets and mosquito nets.  We visited Prema and learned that the supplies had arrived and were at the dock waiting to clear customs.

 



Walking into Prema



Susan and villagers



Home in Prema  







Children playing in the river



Child on an abandoned wave runner

As we took the picture another jumped in to have his picture as well  

Newest young woman of Black Sands branch