NZ Epi Island Incentive Trust

Art and Culture NZEIIT also started a programme this year to revive art and culture od Epi Island.Cecila Mataila,PhD, Direction Anthropologie de la Culture Nouvelle Cale'donie,was invited by the Trust to help start this programme.this year's workshops were about sourcing and applying natural dyes to be used on pandanus mats and baskets and reviving the forgotten art of tapa.at present the local ladies have been useing chinese dyes,which are considered to be bad for their health. One of the most important features of such community projects is the transfer of knowledge to the local community.the exchange is reciprocal.while the villagers are learning about non-indigenous trades,outside volunteers learn about plants,gardening,weaving,wood carving and Vanuatu culture..this gives a sense of ownership by the local community Work was also continued on Mango House this year (volunteer house for workshops) commencing with the installing a toilet unit and bedroom walls. The Dental and Art Culture Programme will continue in 2015, and any person interested in volunteering a skill, for example medical,dental,carpentry,plumbing and art teaching please contact us NZepiislandtrust@gmail.com