Port-Vila, Vanuatu – Wednesday 28 May 2025: The National University of Vanuatu (NUV) continues to bring its values to life through meaningful community engagement, exemplified by a landmark community service initiative led by the Department of Inclusive Education within the School of Education. This activity in the Blacksand community served as a powerful demonstration of the university’s commitment to academic excellence, compassion, inclusion, service, and leadership in action.
The initiative represents NUV’s vision of a civic-minded university dedicated to transforming society through practical action and inclusive development. The outreach targeted a household identified through a student-led needs assessment as one of the most vulnerable in the area. The family is caring for a four-year-old child with spina bifida, a condition that has left him non-verbal, immobile, and entirely dependent on his caregivers. The family’s situation, marked by financial hardship and social exclusion, required urgent support – material, emotional, and social.
The initiative was driven by the first cohort of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education in Inclusive Teaching (Primary) program. Under the guidance of Professor Lincoln Hlatywayo, Ms. Kathleen Arthur, Mr. Jimmy Philemon, and Ms. Morris Effrel, 18 student-teachers actively participated in every stage of the project, from planning and mobilisation to implementation on the ground.
Throughout the day, students and lecturers worked in solidarity with the family, providing a range of supports including groceries, clothing, kitchen utensils, and cash donations. In addition to cleaning the household yard and offering practical help, the team engaged in emotional support, informal counselling, and spiritual devotion, creating a warm and affirming environment. The activities were carried out with deep cultural sensitivity and respect for the family’s dignity.
The impact of this initiative was felt on multiple levels. For the family, the visit brought much-needed relief, recognition, and renewed hope. Caregivers expressed profound gratitude for being seen, supported, and embraced by the wider community. For the students, it was a transformative learning experience that deepened their understanding of inclusive education and challenged them to become advocates for equity and justice. Many reported a greater appreciation for the lived experiences of families affected by disability and a stronger sense of purpose as future educators.
Reflecting on the significance of the initiative, Professor Lincoln Hlatywayo, Professor of Disability Studies and Inclusive Education at the School of Education, said, “More than just an outreach effort, this was a lived expression of the university’s values—compassion, inclusion, service, and leadership in action. It demonstrated the powerful role that higher education can play in transforming communities, empowering students, and advocating for marginalised populations. This initiative has set a precedent for integrating academic training with meaningful societal engagement and has affirmed the need for sustained university-community partnerships to address disability inclusion at the grassroots level.”
The success of this community service initiative reflects the leadership and support of the School of Education, particularly Acting Officer-in-Charge Mr. Ben Boulekouran and Academic Supervisor Dr. Gayleen Tarosa, who facilitated transport and logistical backing.
The Department of Inclusive Education has already begun laying the foundation for future initiatives. Plans are underway to integrate community service formally into the Bachelor of Education in Inclusive Teaching curriculum, establish a permanent donation box for vulnerable households, organise regular fundraising events, and expand partnerships with other organisations and donors.
This initiative demonstrated the powerful intersection between academic training and real-world impact, affirming that education must serve both minds and communities. As the university continues to grow, initiatives like this will remain central to its identity and mission – preparing graduates who are not only skilled but also compassionate leaders equipped to uplift and transform society.
