My outreach on an island of "Black Magic"

My favorite side project and outreach is women's futbol.

Getting another team of young women to travel to a different island from ours called, Ambrym, to play futbol for a week was a mountain of difficulties and triumphs! The biggest challenge was taking women away from their husbands, families, social duties, homes, and comforts. Especially to play futbol and to a place known for witchcraft.

With absolutely no support from our island and a small tin can for a speed boat, we left our island only after weeks of training and speedbumps to embark on a 3 hour boat ride across the open sea. Upon arrival, we hike up to a near by village hoping for hospitality, to my surprise the girls with me didn't speak much, and I was the only one talking to these villagers. The chief and his people were welcoming, yet we waited a few hours before the scheduled truck arrived to pick us up.

Now in safer hands, we arrive to the Vanuatu Futbol Federation team and sleeping quarters, there I find another New Zealand volunteer, Serah, and another Peace Corps volunteer, Lindsay. I laugh in relief and happiness as we story about my adventure and challenges upon our arrival.

As the tournament went underway, we were one of 7 teams, and had no reserves to play two games a day in the blistering heat on a sand filled field. It was hard enough getting there, now with less appealing playing conditions, we once again overcame our setbacks. Needless to say, we took first place and won $100 USD as our prize money! The girls and I led every morning and evening with prayers and christian songs of devotion; our prayers had been answered. We didn't travel all that way, conduct fundraisers, train; to come back empty-handed, we came back with our pride in the shape of a Wimbeldon size gold cup 1st place trophy!

The looks of shock, surprise, and respect were what lifted our spirits the most upon returning back to our home island. The men and women all gave us a welcome home as we ran around our field holding our trophy high singing a war chant for our victory.

The hours, energy, blood, sweat, and tears spent doing women's futbol in Vanuatu=priceless

Paama Island Projects Outline 2009

PAAMA Island is located in the MALAMPA Province of Vanuatu. I am a Peace Corps volunteer on this island in the village of Liro. Liro is essentially the capital of Paama. Paama is only 32 sq. km with about 20 different villages and a total population of 1500 locals.

There are many projects underway as I begin the 10th month of my service in this country:

• Water tanks and piping in the village of Liro, Lironesa, Senali. Currently looking to work with the grant from the European Union and NSA.
• Youth & Sports Programs in which I am currently teaching new sports and trying to build a youth center to equip with computers and a table tennis league. Sports such as: American football, rugby, basketball, baseball, frisbee, etc.
• Fisheries committee is trying to build up a business plan to catch & sell fish on the island as well as to Port Vila and Luganville.Yet we are lacking a boat.
  
• ABC= A Basket for Change. Currently teaching the women how to make unique bags, purses, wallets,backpacks, to sell on the island as well as in Port Vila and Luganville.
• Women's Group restaurant and kitchen ware sales start-up.
• Electricity for the entire island or for Liro, working with UNELCO but need funding for large generator.
• Second hand sales of clothing from the U.S. donations made by family members.
  

And many more projects to come. These are the starting points of my time here on Paama. If you or anyone you know can lend a hand in donations, materials, supplies, etc. Please contact me via email or post at brerussell@gmail.com or Brianna Russell, Peace Corps Volunteer, Liro Post Office, Liro Paama, Vanuatu, South Pacific

Thank you! More updates soon.