Jane Rutledge – Marketing Adviser in Vanuatu

Before taking up this World Vision/VSA assignment Jane was on a two year assignment with VSA working as a Communications and Marketing Adviser with NGO CIVICUS in South Africa.

What Jane is doing in Vanuatu

Jane’s marketing background is helping her to work with a team of four local colleagues at World Vision Vanuatu, inspiring farmers to find new products to grow, add value and develop new buyers and ways to market their products. Many Ni-Vanuatu people are farmers and agricultural income generation is important for their family and community long term well-being.  She is based in Luganville on the island of Santo.

Making a positive impact

Jane has only been on assignment a few months but she is already helping to set up the project team and has been getting to know people throughout the vast farming networks, a key aspect of her role so she can be as effective as possible during her time on assignment.

Jane’s highlights so far

“So far I have enjoyed visiting the many communities of South Santo. Village life is inspiring and challenging at the same time.” 

“I am really enjoying learning and communicating in Bislama, quite amusing for everyone.”

What Vanuatu has taught Jane

“Patience, determination and a continued zest for stepping outside the ways things have always been done to explore new territory.”

“Remembering always to have respect, with the knowledge that by ‘living in another person’s shoes’, understanding, growth and change is possible.”

Check out VSA's current volunteer vacancies...