Protecting the Family
Saturday, June 21st, 2008On Thursday, Parliament at last ended more than a decade of indecision and passed the Family Protection Act. For the first time in Vanuatu history, victims of domestic violence have comprehensive protection under the law. The bill was passed by a divided house, with members of the opposition storming out before the vote, ostensibly over a lack of due process.
Whose Success?
Friday, June 6th, 2008[This week's Communications column for the Vanuatu Independent.]
I don’t often talk about my motives. Newspapers, in my opinion, make lousy confessionals. I’ll make an exception today, because it helps make a point.
I recently experienced a curious moment. I’d spent a sunny Port Vila Saturday at the office catching up on email, news and whatnot. There [...]
Only the Angels Cry
Saturday, May 10th, 2008Shortly after the news of his son’s death reached me, I encountered Nathan in the space outside his office. In the Vanuatu fashion, I offered my condolences quietly, with few words. Nathan just stood there in front of me, rudderless, smiling as people do when there’s nothing to be said, nothing more to be done. His own life, his future, was gone.
Dead of a boiler. Dead of nothing at all.
Housework
Sunday, May 4th, 2008Re-worked from an older post for this week’s Daily Post Weekender edition. ed.
Ever since I arrived in Vanuatu almost five years ago, I’ve woken every morning to the rhythmic shushing of the scrub brush as the women in the neighbourhood do the morning wash. It’s often the last thing I hear before sundown as well.
Anyone [...]
Fix This and Tell Me When You’re Done
Monday, April 14th, 2008[First written in February of 2004. I'm reposting it here for posterity, and because it came up in conversation earlier today. There've been a few serious attacks against expats recently, including a murder and a particularly brutal rape. The perception among some is of a sudden uptick in violent crime. I recounted this story to [...]
Housework
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007Ever since I arrived in Vanuatu almost four years ago, I’ve woken every morning to the rhythmic shushing of the scrub brush as the women in the neighbourhood do the morning wash. It’s often the last thing I hear before sundown as well.
Anyone who’s ever washed their clothes by hand knows just how arduous the [...]
Inter-Islandism
Monday, March 5th, 2007Vila is quiet. The hospital gates are locked and guarded. There are about twenty officers lounging outside the police station. Most businesses are closed and the remainder are nearly deserted. Every passing group is scrutinised quietly.
Most of my family stayed with me last night, five of them in my house and about eight more in [...]
Cyclone Ivy
Saturday, February 28th, 2004[Amalgamated from a series of live blogging posts as Cyclone Ivy hit the village of Saratamata on Ambae island, where I was staying at the time.]
Imagine the worst storm you’ve ever seen. Double it. Double it again. Make it last 14 hours at its highest intensity. That’s how Typhoon Ivy was for us. The wind [...]