This December, as the light of Christmas draws near, your compassion can restore the future for resilient children in Vanuatu. We appeal to you to support the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal, a vital effort to rebuild the severely damaged classrooms of St. Michel Primary School in Luganville.

The challenges for these students began in 2017 when they were displaced from Lone Primary School on Ambae Island following a volcanic eruption, forcing their families to relocate. St. Michel Primary School, a primarily French stream school, opened its doors to accommodate the incoming English stream students so they could continue their education. In the beginning, these English stream students had to share classrooms with the French stream students due to limited infrastructure.

The situation worsened in 2020 when Tropical Cyclone Harold, a Category 5 storm, severely damaged parts of the school, destroying several classrooms and facilities.

For too long, these children have been forced to learn in makeshift conditions—studying under tents provided by humanitarian organizations. Imagine the challenge of trying to concentrate when, as 10-year-old Esma explains, classes are cancelled because the classroom “is all wet with water when it rains”. 11-year-old Loris Molisale simply asks for “proper classrooms and a safe learning environment”. Selwin Sese shares that “It is not easy to study under the tent”.

Despite these hardships, these teachers and students remain committed to learning and have shown remarkable resilience. This Advent and Christmas, your generous gift to the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal will construct cyclone-resistant classrooms, restoring stability to the lives of these displaced students. 10-year-old Madeleine dreams of a “new classroom to school in“. Your donation is a tangible act of Christian love.

Please open your heart this December and especially on Christmas Day. Give the gift of a safe future.