Ni Van Girl

Ni Van Girl

In 2003 I experienced a life changing event when I travelled to Tanna in Vanuatu in the Melanesian Islands of the Pacific Ocean with two friends. Tanna is populated by about 10,000 Ni Vans who mostly live in subsistence farming communities. Tourism infrastructure and foreign investment have been limited to less than 50% which has largely preserved their way of life from too much foreign influence.

The first European to visit Tanna was Captain Cook who came across it after seeing the orange glow of the erupting Yasur volcano reflected in the clouds. This same volcano is still erupting today and is an amazing sight.

Just before we visited a huge storm beset the region wiping out many crops. Near the ash laden slopes of the volcano the ground level had risen almost two meters overnight wiping out one of the local towns as well. The government soon supplied the starving locals with additional rice but there was still some hardship despite their happy exteriors. It was therefore an added bonus for us to be able to bring in some extra food and supplies while ministering to the local churches.

I took a few hundred balloons with me to give to the kids who were delighted and delightful in the many games they played with them. Needless to say I was soon very popular with the kids which made me miss my own even more. I had played with this gorgeous girl over a few days before asking if I could take her picture which she unselfconsciously posed for. A beautiful people in a beautiful place.

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