Ancient culture and Modern Living Clash in a Death Defying Battle.

Hidden Keys that stop the move of the Happiest Country on Earth into the 21st century. The 2008 Vanuatu government elections challenge the growth and development of a Lesser Developed Nation to come to terms with today. It shows the desperate need to educate the next generation. Education of the kids is the key to the future.

Twenty-eight years after Vanuatu gained independence, the leaders are gearing up for the eighth national elections in September 2008. Political parties are forming, jostling for positions, donating favors to the villages. Changing alliances and looking for new representatives from among the communities.

In this Lesser Developed Country, politics are complex. Vanuatu struggles to break away from the traditional custom links. Away from the wantok system. To fight its way through corruption and bribery.

The country is reliant on the next generation  a generation of educated youth  if it is to emerge as a nation with impact in the South Pacific. Vanuatu is the only stable nation in the South Pacific and as such a vital key to the area.

On opening a new classroom in the far northern islands of the archipelago, the French Ambassador and head of the EU aid organization, Nicholas Berlanga said that a new school has more to do with the future than with the present. He urged families to send kids to school. If they don't they would be blocking the future of their children, their communities, their country.

This call to the families of the northern islands is about the leadership of their country. The current government is reliant on aid donors, charities and NGOs for giving out the education material to the outer islands. In late 2007 the government admitted that its central concern was on the two significantly populated islands, Efate and Espirito Santo. This left hundreds of other school without any aid of any kind. The brilliant minds of the youth go untapped, untrained and under-utilized. Schooling for most of these kids is to a grade 6 level, with exercise books torn apart for shared writing paper, pencils snapped into three for writing, and reading books shared. Education is not free. Less than 60% of kids will finish grade 6. Less than 19% will finish high school. 26% will never see the inside of a classroom.

Families in these cashless societies pay the fees with local produce  custom giving. Woven mats, chopped firewood, shells and pig tusks  the most valuable of all  are presented. Without help these children will never fulfill their role in the 21st century. Their community will blunder its way through the war between tradition and modern.

The charity YouMe Support Foundation, based in the capital Port Vila, Vanuatu, has utilized its connections with Seachange Lodge to provide assistance these isolated islands. Since 2004 guests at this boutique resort have contributed boxes of educational resources to be sent north. From the start of their business the owners, Rick and Wendy, have set aside 10% of all earnings to purchase items requested by the Mota Lava villagers. apartments, Seachange Lodge, in a world first. All funds are placed in Trust for the ongoing contribution of non-repayable educational grants for the children of the northern islands.

You can help these kids with the possibility of becoming the proud owner of the property in the South Pacific.

These kids are the leaders that Vanuatu needs into the 21st century. These children when given the opportunity to read and write, to consider and debate, to think and reason, will provide a way for the country to move forward. More and more kids across Vanuatu need the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. Vanuatu has much to look forward to in the future with an educated society.

But YOU need to give Vanuatu a helping hand. Become a Friend Educating Kids.

About The Author Dr Wendy and her husband Richard are the {{{CEO s| Founder}}} of YouMe Support Foundation, {{{charity|supplier of non-repayable education grants}}} . Over the past four years they and their guests have provided desperately needed teacher's resources and school supplies to remote island communities in the far north of Vanuatu through Seachange Lodge,Seachange Lodge YouMe Support Foundation in partner ship with Win a Resort is giving away Seachange Lodge on the Internet. All funds are placed into a Trust Fund to provide education for children who will never go to high school without outside assistance.You can assist by making a donation to the children by going to YouMe Support Foundation or Win a Resort.