11 Sep 2016

Not-for-Profit Project supports remote South Pacific schools

"Gifting learning resources for a brighter future in remote communities"

Heritage Expeditions has partnered up with Learning Resources for Villages – a not-for-profit project that sources unwanted learning resources from New Zealand schools and ships them to remote villages in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.  

Leading the project is Helen Ahern who has over twenty years experience in teaching and education.  After visiting the region in April 2016 as Cruise Director aboard Spirit of Enderby, Helen was taken aback by the limited resourcing, noting that some schools lacked simple items such as paper, pens, and books. 

‘In talking with the local teachers, their common wish was for books in English-medium.  English is taught as a common language in schools as it opens opportunities, and the future of their village ultimately relies upon their young people’ says Helen, ‘with the support of Heritage Expeditions there is a perfect opportunity here to make a difference to lives beyond our own.’

Heritage Expeditions is proud to be providing shipping for Learning Resources for Villages. The first delivery will depart New Zealand in April 2017 when Spirit of Enderby sets sail for two voyages in Melanesia.

Join the team onboard Spirit of Enderby to witness the gifting of the first shipment of resources to the school teachers and children in several villages.  A friendly welcome from these isolated communities is guaranteed, with time spent interacting with the locals to better understand their way of life, as well as having ample time to snorkel pristine coral reefs and enjoying watching wildlife.

South West Pacific Odyssey departs Tauranga 1 April 2017. 18-days starting from $6,300 USD.

Papua New Guinea Explorer departs Rabaul/Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 17 April 2017. 13-days starting from $6,500 USD.

For further information on voyages in the South Pacific, visit our website or contact us directly.