Mark Ramsay, Principal
At the beginning of the recent school holidays, I had the privilege of joining the Year 11 Service-Learning Experience for a few days. Staff and students visited Port Vila, Vanuatu and were blessed with some amazing experiences. I’ll share some of these next week. However, today, I want to talk about some of the more challenging parts of the experience.
Western society is highly individualistic. Generally, we keep to ourselves or our small group of known acquaintances. However, from the moment our students stepped off the plane in Vanuatu, they were confronted with an unfamiliar communal society and open welcome. Most Australians, especially teenagers, are not accustomed to greeting strangers they pass on the street or giving and receiving gifts with people they have just met. Yet these are commonplace in Vanuatu.
At times, this was uncomfortable for our students, but it was a healthy discomfort, exposing them to a different approach to community.
Vanuatu also bears evidence of the impact of recent natural disasters and the lingering after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main building of Pango Presbyterian church, which we visited on Sunday, had been damaged in last year’s twin cyclones and rebuilding work had not yet begun. Cyclones had caused havoc to the crop-growing industry, and a limited range of fresh fruits and vegetables was available. In the wake of the pandemic and multiple cyclones, some businesses were forced to close. We live in a world where sin, sickness and pain still have a significant effect. Even the natural beauty of a place like Vanuatu cannot hide it.
At times, this was confronting for our students, but it was an instructive confrontation, pushing them to reckon with the imperfect state of our world.
The people of Vanuatu also have a history marred by mistreatment from other nations and peoples. More recently, there have been moves by larger nations seeking to control the economy and politics of Vanuatu for their own benefit. Whilst a small group of people stands to benefit from this, the average citizen feels that they are losing their identity and independence. Ni-Vanuatu people expressed dismay at the changes they were witnessing in their culture and society.
At times, it was challenging for our students to hear this, but it was a helpful challenge, provoking them to examine their own attitudes to global power struggles and their impact on local communities.
Providing students with experiences that don’t make sense or create discomfort is a powerful educational tool. At these times, learning and change can have their greatest effect. The Year 11 Service-Learning Experience is one such time. It is truly a life-changing experience for our students. As we seek to live restoratively for Jesus in the world where every square inch belongs to Him, we know that we will face experiences that challenge and confront us. Kuyper students are blessed to have such experiences in the safe community of their peers and trusted teachers.
Next week, I will share some of the joyful experiences of our Vanuatu trip.
Pango Presbyterian Church, Pango Point
Efate, Vanuatu
Read more: Vanuatu Service-Learning: Part#2