VITAL Impacts

i May 11th No Comments by

Maewo is making waves in the media! Earlier in May we were featured in a blog post by 1 World Connected and the Internet Society. Highlighting the positive impacts of the Vanuatu Inter-Island Telemedicine and Learning (VITAL) Network Project, the post emphasizes the health benefits that have resulted from our island’s telemedicine initiative. In less than six months, the network has “improved health outcomes through more than 1,250 interactions to solve routine and life-threatening cases alike”. It is awesome to be recognized across the world for the progress we have made.

Post Author: Beth Hotchkiss.  You can read more about Beth and our other volunteers here!

Letter in a Bottle

i Aug 25th No Comments by

Once upon a time (7 years, 11 months, and 17 days ago to be exact), a young boy wrote a message. He stuffed it in a bottle then, with a light toss, the message was sent on a journey across the world.

This letter floated across the Pacific Ocean, bobbing up and down with the waves. Following a path more than 5,666 km (3,521 miles) long, the message likely passed by bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and dugongs before the tides delivered it to the shores of Naviso.

Receiving this letter, we feel humbled by the realization that its journey, which took years to travel, can now be made in mere seconds with the Internet. It is amazing to see how technology has progressed! The messages we receive and send from the shores of Maewo serve as special reminders, showing how far we have come 🙂

Post Author: Beth Hotchkiss.  You can read more about Beth and our other volunteers here!

The Internet is Coming!

i Jun 2nd No Comments by

Excitement is in the air!!! On July 2nd, 2016 our grassroots efforts will finally come to fruition; the Vanuatu Inter-Island Telemedicine and Learning (VITAL) Network Project will connect Naviso and Kerepei villages to the internet! This is a huge step forward as we work to improve the health and well-being of our community. For more information about the project, check out the latest buzz in articles posted by ABC News and the Vanuatu Daily Post.

Quick update brought to you by: Beth Hotchkiss.  You can read more about Beth and our other volunteers here!

Solar SPELL Reaches Vanuatu

i Mar 24th No Comments by

Technology comes in all shapes and sizes. In the case of the Solar Powered Educational Learning Library (SPELL), the shape is a rectangle and the size is small. Creating what we call “kiaman internet” (fake internet in Bislama) this compact device allows our community to connect to educational content through an online platform. While the SPELL cannot connect our village to the globe, it does help us build our internet literacy skills as we search for content, download educational videos, and navigate the SPELL website.

For more information about the device and to see reactions from it’s big debut check out the links below!

Post Author: Beth Hotchkiss.  You can read more about Beth and our other volunteers here!