Help Vanuatu resist global corporate giants

As Vanuatu’s tourism numbers increase, there are concerns over the possible takeover of global corporate companies.Corporate giants have already invested in the island’s Port Vila, and some are uneasy at the possibility that the giant “M” (McDonalds) might make its way to the town and impact Vanuatu in more negative ways than positive.In 2006 Vanuatu was named the “Happiest place on Earth” in the “Happy Planet Index”, reflecting the notion that materialism in a Western consumer society does not necessarily drive happiness.Instead of expensive material possessions, Vanuatu’s villages are entrenched in traditional customs, family life and chiefly rule, with 153 distinct cultures and languages. On the other hand, there is no medical assistance, electricity or running water, no telecommunication systems, education systems and residents earn less than $1 a day.The YouMe Support Foundation is hoping to continue Vanuatu’s humble existence whilst educating the underprivileged children of the island, where only 55.8% of Vanuatu kids will get to grade 6 and 26% will never go to school at all.YouMe, a non-profit organisation is raffling Seachange Lodge (a private holiday home, plus 6 luxury holiday apartments) on the Internet, to raise funds for non-repayable high school education grants for the children of the outer islands of Vanuatu.Students will be taken through their chosen careers choices and where possible they will be encouraged to use their new found knowledge to improve the life of the community on their home island.To help these kids go to http://youmesupport.org/



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