Morgan Kelly (right) with Northern Care Youth Centre Guitar and Bass tutor Nelly teaching her something on the guitar in their free time.
Who is your partner organisation and what are their goals?
My partner organisation is Northern Care Youth Centre (NCYC), under the parent organisation Wan Smol Bag. NCYC provides a space for youth in Luganville and the surrounding region of Espiritu Santo to learn a range of new skills they might not otherwise be able to learn—such as sewing, dance, music, computer skills, etc. NCYC serves as an important community for youth who are not in school, as well as students who come after school. The attached health clinic also provides free consultations for sexual/reproductive health. Overall, NCYC aims to support positive youth development in Vanuatu.
What are you doing day-to-day while on assignment?
In these early days, I’ve been mainly focused on supporting the Centre’s day-to-day needs while I'm still learning Bislama and getting to know everyone and how everything works – mostly I’m helping with admin tasks and just being an extra pair of hands whenever needed.
I have taken up teaching the computer class as NCYC hasn’t been able to source a tutor for some time, and although I was and still am wary of the challenge, my coworkers told me it was where their biggest immediate need was. Because schools in Vanuatu teach in either English or French, and for many youths knowledge of either language can be limited, I noticed early on that teaching in English was not going to be equitable or support the best outcomes for all. So I’m now teaching mostly in Bislama—with lots of help from the students! My coworkers and I have talked about the possibility of creating a basic computer/Microsoft Office guide in Bislama to help support learning, especially when there isn’t a specific computer tutor, which is really exciting!
Morgan with Vanuatu Country Programme Coordinator Lasi Tariloni in Port Vila before heading to Santo.
What is life as a volunteer like, how have you settled in so far?
Life as a volunteer in Vanuatu has been amazing and very humbling so far. Every day I have no idea what might happen and who I will meet. The unpredictability is a lot to get used to when you’re still finding your feet, but I’m really enjoying it now and I’m so grateful for the experiences I’ve had and the friendships I’ve made in and outside of work. The support of other volunteers and new friends has been immeasurable and we’ve been able to help each other a lot along the way.
Some of the youths at NCYC learning to use Microsoft Word.
What have been some highlights of your time so far (big and small)?
There are too many to list already, but something that really stands out is the first few times that people I’d met through the youth centre or elsewhere recognised me around town and would stop to say hi and chat. Maybe that seems insignificant, but to me it’s what first made me really feel at home here. And of course the privilege of being able to explore all the beaches and activities that Santo has to offer!
What advice would you give to someone considering a UniVol assignment?
I have been surprised by what I have been able to help with at times and we’re learning so much together, going both ways. The experience has already been invaluable to me. I just hope that what we work on together can help support NCYC to have greater capacity and confidence to achieve what they are already working towards but aren’t always able to focus on as much as they’d like to due to the array of commitments and day-to-day priorities at hand.
If you feel that you have the kind of values and skills VSA and the partner organisation are looking for, and you cherish relationships and values-based approaches to development, just apply!
Do you know a university student in their final year or a recent graduate who would make a great UniVol? Applications for 2025 close on 12 August. Information about the programme can be found here, or search our assignments and filter by 'UniVol' for the full list.