The ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) Vanuatu hosted the Sustainable Health, Agriculture, Protection and Empowerment (SHAPE) Project Cross Country Learning for all SHAPE projects on March 19-25, 2024.

Project teams from ADRA New Zealand, ADRA Papua New Guinea, ADRA Timor-Leste, and ADRA Myanmar joined together in Luganville, Santo, for the week-long cross country learning program.

Members of the Sanma Provincial Government Council and the Department of Water and Resources Vanuatu attended this program displaying their support, along with the chief Shem Kalo, president of the Tabuwemasana Council of Chiefs.

ADRA Vanuatu is in partnership with the National Disaster Management Office, Sanma Rural Water Supply, Sanma Counselling Centre, Sanma Rural Health, Vanuatu Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Industry Vanuatu. Through this partnership, ADRA was able to open and hand over a rainwater harvesting system as well as 14 toilets for people living with disabilities in Hog Harbour, a village in the island of Espiritu Santo.

ADRA Vanuatu believes that this water security will aid the Hog Harbour community and will allow for people living with disabilities to have improved access to better hygiene and sanitation facilities.

SHAPE aims to provide the tools and opportunities for better incomes and health outcomes. The goal is to provide increased food and income security for farming communities, improve health in rural communities, and provide increased protection for women and girls as well as economic resilience.

The SHAPE program is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through ADRA, with co-funding from the Latter-Day Saints Charities.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division website, Adventist Record.