Raising Expat Children in Port Vila
We are a family of 4 that are considering moving to Port Vila next year. All is up in the air at this point in time, but I am researching as much as I can.
We have 2 daughters aged 10 and 13 and I am most concerned about their experiences.
If anyone would be happy to share their thoughts of raising children in Vanuatu I would greatly appreciate it.
A big concern is the non-available senior schooling (Grade 11 and 12) and how others have overcome this. I am assuming boarding school comes into play?
Any thoughts or stories???
Thank you, Susan
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I hope that you'll receive some prompt feedbacks.
In the meantime, you may browse the other discussions of the聽 Schools & studies in Vanuatu Forum for better insights.
Thanks
Karen

Maybe we need to make it instead of once a year coming back we come back to stay twice a year
Thanks for your time, I very much appreciate it!
Have been living here nearly 12months and have found everyday very interesting. It is Definately different to holidaying here. I have really enjoyed my time here we have 5 children who 4 attend Port Vila Central School, (this school goes to yr 13i) which they are loving the experience, PVIS is also a good school for expat children but with the expense we decided on Port Vila Central and also for our children to experience the real island life, they go to school in thongs over here and it's nothing for them to come one bare foot, they are really enjoying it. As for crime etc. we are very careful, we make sure everything is locked up safely and like anywhere you just have to be aware of things.聽 I have found it hard meeting friends but have slowly just started to meet a couple of lovely ladies whom I feel like I have known for a lifetime. We were married over here 12 yrs ago so Vanuatu holds a special place in out heart. If your needing to know anything else feel free to ask
..... It is truly a very amazing experience!I would appreciate any other information that you have, as we are considering a move in Jan but have a 16yo and 14 yo.
susan.w wrote:Safety is a huge concern of mine, as I would never forgive myself if something happened to any one of us. As my husband would need to be back in Aust/NZ regularly too it is not a good thing for me and my daughters to be at home alone I don't think
There is also the danger of illnesses and the health care available. It's many, many years since we lived in Vila (as it was called then), when I was laid up with malaria and hepatitis. Just last week I blogged on my website about our experiences then. (If you click on my name you will come to the site; the title is "Phoning Princess Margaret") I sincerely hope things have changed a lot for the better since that time, but I imagine malaria will still be endemic - with its varieties Dengue, Blackwater Fever, etc.
By the way, we loved our three years there, despite the sicknesses!
Port Vila Central is a wonderful school I will have to find out more about the curriculum for the higher grades as mine are in year 5,3 and 2, actually my children have just been selected for leaders of the school next year. The school work that comes home is the exactly the same as what the children had in Australia, it's very similar. There is an Australian principal which is leaving at the end of the year but has done a wonderful job. If interested I can find out more for you if you like. As for my children they are really thriving over here, they now get up to do public speaking, in Australia they would never do this!! They have really matured a lot over here. The Ni-van people take education very seriously especially when they have to pay for it.I have also seen in the local newspaper that you can also do the HSC聽 over here to the Australian Curriculum but I can also get more info regarding this if you like.There is also a International School which also is wonderful and im sure they follow the Austrailan curriculum. As for illness we haven't had anything bad happen, there is a health centre we go to and is an Australian doctor and also has an emergency 24hr service with visiting specialist as well. There are also the Pro Medical Ambulance as well who also are very good. I have taken out insurance for medivac incase its ever needed and was a lot cheaper than most insurance companies, its also peace of mind. Malaria is a concern I havent heard of many cases here and the local dr told me its mainly the north island you have to be careful of or if you travel to the outer islands, but we still try to prevent it as much as we can like using sprays and cover up being out at night etc. just need to be cautious like everything. Hope I've helped a bit

We have lived in the tropics and some very remote places, so not really put off by most things. I think it sounds like a wonderful place all things considered.

Could you聽 please tell me which company you used to buy your insurance from as we are still looking around. We are looking at coming over in July /August 2014 with our two girls age 11and 15. We will look at houses and schools as well my husband and myself came over a few years ago and loved it. We are from South Africa but now live in England. Could you tell me what the internet is like as my husband uses it for work.
my email is聽 juannettepettitt@gmail.com
Juannette

My husband is from Africa . We currently live in the USA but are looking to re-locate to port villa. We have a 9 year old daughter.聽 I would like to exchange information. We are arriving in port vila on 2/15/14. Really looking forward to hands on research.
Cheers,
Cyndi
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