Blossom Project Vanuatu
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The Blossom project in Vanuatu enhances the wellbeing of women and girls by addressing issues such as domestic violence, sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy. Partnering with church leaders, students, community members and government the ADRA team is using the Family Life Education approach. This involves openly discussing gender norms, the roles of family members and new ways for men to take on “non-traditional” roles in the household while allowing women to participate in leadership.
The project has expanded to include a prison rehabilitation program, a local radio program providing community education and the Elang Family Support Services Centre which provides support services like counselling.
Improving health and wellbeing – How is ADRA helping?
Vanuatu is one of many countries where ADRA is helping to improve the health and wellbeing of communities. We have ongoing health projects that have been developed in collaboration with trusted partners and communities to build healthier lives. Examples of ADRA health project activities include:
– Improving access to safe water sources
– Providing hygiene and sanitation solutions
– Implementing waste management strategies
– Helping families access nourishing food
– Preventing, addressing, and combatting non-communicable diseases like diabetes
– Supporting pregnant women and mothers with maternal and infant health and nutrition
– Improving awareness on issues like domestic violence and sexual abuse against women, children, and others
– Providing psychosocial support as per identified need
The teenage pregnancy rate in Vanuatu is 6-8% compared with 1.6% in Australia
In 2010, 1 in 3 women in Vanuatu reported having experienced child sexual abuse under the age of 15
Stories
Louise’s Story
When Louise Ginn heard the tragic story of a newborn baby found abandoned in a bush toilet in Vanuatu, she instantly knew she had to do something. “I don’t think any mother should feel they need to abandon their child, but there are women in Vanuatu that feel they have no other option,” says Louise, herself a mother of four. “I would like to give them another option.” So she organised a 1000km tandem bicycle ride with her son to fundraise $100,000 for the Blossom project. The 10-day epic helped provide much-needed funds for the project to continue saving lives.