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This North Solomons Province of Papua New Guinea is made up of Bougainville, a volcanic island about 200 km long covered in jungle; Buka, a raised coral island; and a scatter of coral atolls. Bougainville was engulfed in a major conflict from 1988 to 1998. This was precipitated by the economic, social, and environmental problems which resulted from a crisis at Panguna copper and gold mine.
VSA has had a significant role in the post-conflict development of Bougainville. Some 60 volunteers have worked with local communities to rebuild a society shattered after a decade of conflict. The VSA office in Arawa coordinates assignments in vocational training, health, education, infrastructure, and economic and community development.
Papua New Guinea is a land of great diversity. Five million people, over eight hundred languages, a large land mass, hundreds of islands, rainforest, grasslands, savannah, birds of paradise, tree kangaroos, great natural wealth, and significant poverty are a few of the elements which make up the 'land of the unexpected'. VSA is currently focusing volunteer assignments in East Sepik, East New Britain, the North Solomons Province (see Bougainville), and the National Capital District, Port Moresby.
This widespread archipelago has recently undergone a period of ethnic tension and civil unrest which forced VSA to withdraw volunteers in June 2000. The volunteer programme restarted in May 2001 with a number of assignments designed to contribute to education, health services, local government, and economic development in Makira-Ulawa, Guadacanal, Malaita, and Western Provinces.
Tokelau consists of three low-lying coral atolls (Fakaofo, Nukunonu, and Atafu) situated north of Samoa. With a population of around 1,500, the communities of Tokelau are barely sustainable and many young people leave for schooling, never to return. Six VSA volunteers have been working to strengthen education opportunities on the islands and reduce the 'push' factor contributing to migration.
Vanuatu is a volcanic archipelago, unique in its combined French and English colonial history. Since independence in 1980, Vanuatu has tried to overcome the obstacles of its history and geography to improve life for its people. VSA volunteers work in a wide range of locations from Port Vila to Pentecost.
