Pigs Feature Large In the Local General Election Of A Tropical Island Paradise,Vanuatu

From: Sechange Lodge
Published: Tue Jul 22 2008


The Hurculean efforts of Hilary Clinton have pioneered the way for women to enter the higher echelons of politics in the United States.

The battle for Vice-President could well be fought in a female arena, as a direct influence of the Hilary-Clinton-Legacy.

Long has it been said that the female hand rocks the nation. Once again this may be proven to be true in the 21st Century political arena. More and more women are mobilizing towards female candidates.

Political writer, Douglas Drenkow is of the view that for either Obama or McCain to secure their polls, they should consider selecting a female candidate for the vice-presidential post.

A world away, in the South Pacific, the 21st Century has not brought a great deal of change to the "Happiest Country on Earth". The tropical island paradise of Vanuatu, is a heavily dominated male society and is thus, rare for a woman to achieve high ranking chiefly, or political status.

The Hilary Clinton legacy has not been heard in these calm tropical islands, the most stable environment in the South Pacific.

The name Ms Jenny Ligo can be heard ringing across the air waves of the 83 islands of the archipelago.

Jenny is the niece of the late Grace Molisa. These two women from the island of Ambae, are the only females to have ever achieved a high chiefly status.

Jenny was given a chiefly title when she ceremoniously clubbed to death eleven pigs, during the commemoration of her marriage to husband,Joe Ligo, last year.

Jenny’s further success and right to enter politics was announced by the Chairman of the Vanuatu National Council of Chiefs, Chief Paul Tahi, after Jenny ceremoniously clubbed to death a further eleven pigs.

Not only does Ms Ligo have the support of the Ambae Chiefs but Ambaean women are mobilizing for her candidature- our Pacific mirror of the Hilary legacy.

Education is not free in Vanuatu and the lack of government recognition by way of social welfare programs, means that what little money earned is used to educate the boys.

The Happiest Country on Earth has a population that lives on under $1 a day. This makes school fees an impossible dream.

There is mounting unrest amongst the younger generation demanding the right to an education and become qualified leaders for their country.

The government admitted in late 2007, that it does not have the finances to provide free education. The statistics of 1999 have changed little.

The awful consequences of this are:

• only 55.8% of Vanuatu kids will get to grade 6
• of those only 18.2% will go to high school
• 26% will never go to school at all.

YouMe Support Foundation is one of the few charities raising funds for these educationally challenged youths. This Child Trust Fund provides non-repayable high school education grants to the children of the Outer Islands. Children who will never have the opportunity to see the inside of a high school classroom.

It is hoped that Jenny Ligo, through her courage in performing the pig clubbing ceremony and entry into politics, will be able to make a difference in the lives of these far flung communities.

You can find out more about these beautiful people and this fascinating Happiest Country on Earth at http://winaresort.com. You too can make a difference in their lives, through a Blue Moon Opportunity.
Company: Sechange Lodge
Contact Name: LynThomas
Contact Email: admin@youmesupport.org
Contact Phone: 678 26551

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