CYCLONE Pam’s devastation has given a new sense of urgency to a young man’s plan to empower a village in Vanuatu.
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A business idea had its beginnings last year after Henry Whitehead first visited Vanuatu as part of a marine studies course through Newman Senior Technical College.
The then school captain was struck by the living conditions at Mele Village and the high cost of living.
So he set about making a difference, drawing on his knowledge as a stand up paddle board instructor and liaising with a range of organisations.
Stand Up Paddle South Pacific was the result.
The business will give cruise ship tourists a stand up paddle board experience with local instructors.
Henry’s role will be as educator, mentor and supervisor using his Australian experience to provide a cultural tourist attraction, owned and operated by locals.
“The aim of the business is creating independence for people to make money for themselves and their village,” Henry said.
A percentage of funds generated through the business will go towards education, sanitation, health care and employment in Mele village.
The 18-year-old also hopes the business will help Mele Village, and its 6000 residents, recover from Cyclone Pam.
“Cyclone Pam left a lot of destruction behind,” he said. “It tore down pretty much all of the houses in Mele Village and they are trying to rebuild them.”
Re-establishing food crops is also vital.
Henry, who has completed his training with the Army Reserve, has invested thousands of dollars into the business. The paddle boards and spare equipment are ready to go.
Henry has reached out to the community for financial assistance to help make his vision a reality.
“We could get it started tomorrow if we had the money,” he said about the business.
Henry estimates it will take between $15,000 and $20,000 to get Stand Up Paddle South Pacific off the ground.
That would cover the purchase of a van, shipping costs and associated expenses.
Henry has received support from Newman Senior Technical College and Constable Printing to produce T-shirts for sale to raise funds.
Businesses and individuals can donate to the project or sponsor a stand up paddle board.
Anyone who can assist should visit the Stand Up Paddle South Pacific Facebook page or contact Henry Whitehead on 0466 544 355.