Name: Graham Hinge
Title: Deputy Director
DOB: 21/02/1994
Gender: Male
Village & Island: Labultamata Village, North Pentecost
Educational Background
The first golden step I took for my education was at Tamua Primary School in my village Labultamata. I spent a few years there completing my years 1 to 6 and was selected to do my year 7 and 8 at Atavtabanga Secondary School. I then spent 4 years at Ranwadi Churches of Christ College doing my years 9 to 12. It was at Ranwadi Churches of Christ College that I begin to see education as an important tool for survival in this contemporary world. I was selected to Malapoa College to complete my year 13 in 2014. I was then awarded a bilateral scholarship of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu to further my tertiary studies at the University of Goroka. I am currently studying my 3rd year of a Bachelor of Art majoring in Political Science.
Work Experience
Most of my time has been shared between school and working in the garden or other organised activities such as sport, church activities and custom ceremonies whenever I am home for holiday. In 2015 after the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Pam, I joined the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as a Warehouse Keeper distributing emergency food supplies on the island of Ambrym. I began teaching at VLSSS in 2016 when I was really inspired and motivated by such a unique educational program offered by Mr James David Roberts to our children on Pentecost. As a young boy I was so determined to similar things for my own brothers and sisters on Pentecost with the little knowledge and talents that I had. Thus, in 2017, after returning from university for the holidays, I returned to teach at the summer school with other local and international volunteer teachers. I was appointed as the Academic Manager at VLSSS 2018, helping out the then Director Mr James David Roberts in academic and administrative matters. I was later promoted as Deputy Director for which I am so grateful, and will do my very best to work for the fulfilment of the VLSSS vision and purpose over the coming years.
VLSSS Experience
VLSSS has seen massive developments, not to mention my own personal achievements as a student teacher. Over the last three summer schools that I have attended I have learnt a lot from both the teachers and students, building up my confidence and imparting knowledge to the students. In a nut shell, it is a once in a life-time experience. It's legacy is not just for me or any individual but for VLSSS as a whole, for this pioneering way of motivating, developing, and empowering the students of Pentecost and Vanuatu. I personally want to be involved with a great team of inspiring teachers who want to mould and shape our children to realise their full potential in achieving their dreams and for becoming a resourceful citizen of our society that Vanuatu can rely on. I believe in the summer school, the vision of the summer school and the purpose of the summer school, and what it will do for our children. There are many ways in which our islands can develop and for that to happen I believe VLSSS is the key. We need to educate our children, thus as in the words of Confucius that I strongly believe in 'If your plan is for 1 year, plant rice, if your plan is for 10 years plant trees but if your plan is for 20-100 years, educate children'. These words clearly emphasise the importance of education, the long term benefit we gain from education and that everyone should commit and invest more in our children for the good of our country in the years to come. I believe changes can come about in our villages, society and country as a whole if we begin to advocate changes and begin to shape leaders for a brighter tomorrow. VLSSS is a stepping stone for change and those changes can only come about if we all join our hands together and help educate our stars.
Title: Deputy Director
DOB: 21/02/1994
Gender: Male
Village & Island: Labultamata Village, North Pentecost
Educational Background
The first golden step I took for my education was at Tamua Primary School in my village Labultamata. I spent a few years there completing my years 1 to 6 and was selected to do my year 7 and 8 at Atavtabanga Secondary School. I then spent 4 years at Ranwadi Churches of Christ College doing my years 9 to 12. It was at Ranwadi Churches of Christ College that I begin to see education as an important tool for survival in this contemporary world. I was selected to Malapoa College to complete my year 13 in 2014. I was then awarded a bilateral scholarship of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu to further my tertiary studies at the University of Goroka. I am currently studying my 3rd year of a Bachelor of Art majoring in Political Science.
Work Experience
Most of my time has been shared between school and working in the garden or other organised activities such as sport, church activities and custom ceremonies whenever I am home for holiday. In 2015 after the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Pam, I joined the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as a Warehouse Keeper distributing emergency food supplies on the island of Ambrym. I began teaching at VLSSS in 2016 when I was really inspired and motivated by such a unique educational program offered by Mr James David Roberts to our children on Pentecost. As a young boy I was so determined to similar things for my own brothers and sisters on Pentecost with the little knowledge and talents that I had. Thus, in 2017, after returning from university for the holidays, I returned to teach at the summer school with other local and international volunteer teachers. I was appointed as the Academic Manager at VLSSS 2018, helping out the then Director Mr James David Roberts in academic and administrative matters. I was later promoted as Deputy Director for which I am so grateful, and will do my very best to work for the fulfilment of the VLSSS vision and purpose over the coming years.
VLSSS Experience
VLSSS has seen massive developments, not to mention my own personal achievements as a student teacher. Over the last three summer schools that I have attended I have learnt a lot from both the teachers and students, building up my confidence and imparting knowledge to the students. In a nut shell, it is a once in a life-time experience. It's legacy is not just for me or any individual but for VLSSS as a whole, for this pioneering way of motivating, developing, and empowering the students of Pentecost and Vanuatu. I personally want to be involved with a great team of inspiring teachers who want to mould and shape our children to realise their full potential in achieving their dreams and for becoming a resourceful citizen of our society that Vanuatu can rely on. I believe in the summer school, the vision of the summer school and the purpose of the summer school, and what it will do for our children. There are many ways in which our islands can develop and for that to happen I believe VLSSS is the key. We need to educate our children, thus as in the words of Confucius that I strongly believe in 'If your plan is for 1 year, plant rice, if your plan is for 10 years plant trees but if your plan is for 20-100 years, educate children'. These words clearly emphasise the importance of education, the long term benefit we gain from education and that everyone should commit and invest more in our children for the good of our country in the years to come. I believe changes can come about in our villages, society and country as a whole if we begin to advocate changes and begin to shape leaders for a brighter tomorrow. VLSSS is a stepping stone for change and those changes can only come about if we all join our hands together and help educate our stars.
'Shaping leaders for a brighter tomorrow'