Commencing in 2015, Mendocino Rotary has been assisting in cyclone relief, school reconstruction, village water supply, sanitation and environmental improvement in Fiji and Vanuatu. In 2018 a team of Rotarians from Mendocino visited Fiji, Vanuatu and New Zealand, at which time we developed working relationships with the Rotary Clubs of Savusavu, Fiji; Espiritu Santo and Port Vila, Vanuatu; and Birkenfield and Katikati, New Zealand.

In Fiji, we worked with the Rotary Club of Savusavu to help with tree planting in the downtown area of the town and painting some medical clinics.

In Vanuatu, we helped with several village water supply projects and then, working with the Victory School of Hope in a poor community of the capital city, helped build the school’s first sanitation block. The toilet block, which was built with community labor and funded by four Rotary clubs, was commissioned in May 2020, now provides the 200 students and staff of the school with safe drinking water, toilets, wash basins and a shower. The construction of the toilet block was funded and otherwise supported by four Rotary clubs, comprising Port Vila, Vanuatu; Katikati, New Zealand, Mendocino California and Fort Bragg, California, a cooperative effort and a rewarding one as we have gotten to know each other better and made friends in each of the participating clubs.

We continue to plan work in both Fiji and Vanuatu, and invite other clubs in our District to join us in working in these fascinating and deserving countries. The picture below is of the children and staff of the Victory School of Hope as they celebrate the commissioning of the toilet block.