The DVD is available for purchase, for 500VT or about USD $5. Call 7743390 if you are in Vanuatu (+678 7743390 from overseas) or email eshop@vanuatu.com.vu to arrange.

UPDATE 23/6 -- Thanks to Peter for the suggestion -- here’s my incredibly poor translation from Bislama. Text is in all caps.

NATIONAL DAY FOR WOMEN & CELEBRATION OF VANWODS IN MALAMPA PROVINCE

ESHOP VIDEO CREW COVERED THE EVENT FOR A LONG TIME TO GIVE THE STORIES OF ALL MAMAS

All mamas say, we all got spirit of cooperation. If everyone wants to eat, how do we feed everyone? VANWODS cames from Vanuatu, it was set up to help all people achieve solutions.

ONE DAY FOR HOPE

Our centre is proud of our marker, we see this bird flying over the island when we get up in the morning. We look at the marker and we feel glad to see it.

ONE DAY TO BE PROUD

We want to encourage the mamas who are at home to join VANWODS. It is a chance, if you got the chance to join VANWODS. We came to hear the speeches that are taking place here. VANWODS can help each mama with their home.

ONE DAY FOR ENCOURAGEMENT

ONE SPECIAL DAY FOR ALL MAMAS.

STORY OF ALL VANWODS MAMAS IS AN ESHOP PRODUCTION

(Sori tumas bislama blo mi hemi smol we i smol. Sipos mi mekem wan mistake yu talem mi bae mi jenisim!)

But VANWODS pretty much got swept away by the momentum. The mamas all organised themselves into centres and demanded that VANWODS offer our services in Malekula. Over 1000 women gathered at the day of the launch (and I have a friend who’s volunteering in the Maskelyne Islands who said that she helped women fundraise to get to launch site, as they would have to pay for boat trips and truck rides, as well as having to travel for hours to get to the launch site.) They made matching island dresses and giant banners and marched for two kilometres – apparently, it was the first ever parade held on Malekula.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go to the launch, but I’ve seen the DVD (will post a clip next) – it was cool to see the women dancing in the streets and finally getting some time that they could spend on themselves. Vanuatu is such a male-dominated country that it’s clear women see VANWODS as an organization which finally gives them access to opportunities.