- The New Zealand Children’s Health & Education Trust was formed in 2000 to assist children in communities who suffer from malnutrition and health problems caused by poverty or lack of education.
- In conjunction with Dr Henk Meuzelaar who had identified similar issues facing his NGO Project MARC (medical assistance to remote communities)The trust provided two 70 tonne trading schooners to supply medical equipment and personnel to the most remote islands of Vanuatu.
- For three years our work was primarily aimed at supplying urgent and immediate healthcare, Transporting doctor, nurses, dentist and medical supplies to the remote and cutoff islands, Building outpost clinics and training local aid post workers, Transporting patients who were in need of surgery to the Port Vila Hospital and collecting information and data for the Vanuatu Ministry of Health.
- This work was completed pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding with MOH Vanuatu. By 2004 our interventions had achieved some stability in the urgent healthcare requirements in the areas in which we worked.
- Since 2004 the Trusts work has built on these initiatives, sitting with the people, living with the people and taking our initiatives directly from them. Creating opportunities for them to decide what sustainable programmes and businesses they need to lift the standard of living for their people. to assist with education programmes initiated and supported by the people and assist with the much needed transport facilities to the areas.
- Today the Trust works in the South East Malakula area which has a population of approximately 5000, spread over several villages and located in a pristine lagoon. This area is cut off from the world and poverty stricken, they are underserved by their government receiving very little funding or assistance. Therefore New Zealand Children’s Health & Education Trust are committed to assisting the people of these remote islands taking our lead from them and only being involved in projects initiated and supported by them, this has guaranteed the continued success