Manual Arts Building

 Denton Homes has just completed stage 1 of the Youth Development centre, The Manual Arts Block.

In November 2009 Evidence directors met with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Mr Edward Natapei. During this meeting The Prime Minister expressed that one of his greatest concerns for his country were the youth, He said many have a lack of education and trained skills and find it difficult to find employment, which greatly effects their self esteem but also results in other areas such as poor living standards, inferior health etc.  

After discussions with Evidence colleagues, we have decided that we could begin to impact the needy situation of some of these youth, by providing the opportunity for training of skills in various types of practical areas which may enable them to gain future employment.

To make this possible, we are planning to set up the ‘Seaside Youth Development Centre’. This centre will become part of the Seaside Community School but be run as a separate entity. The plan is to build the centre in various stages and providing there is ongoing support and success we anticipate that we can continue to develop this simultaneously alongside the ongoing development of the Seaside Community School.

Stage 1 of this centre will comprise of a Manual Arts Building, which the team from Denton Homes built in November 2010. This first stage of the centre will allow opportunities for youth and young adults to be trained in various skills including carpentry, woodworking, furniture making, house building and various metal industry skills.

Stage 2. will incorporate the creation of a large agricultural garden with opportunity for youth to be trained in horticultural knowledge and skills. The crops from this garden may also be sold to give further financial support to continue this venture.

 If these first stages are successful and financial support is in place, then further stages will be undertaken in 2011 and beyond. These further stages may consist of the facilities and the supply of equipment required for the training of young men/women in arts, crafts, sewing and textile industries, computer skills, business management and so forth..

We are hoping that the first training classes at the centre could commence in January 2011.

If you would like to contribute to the ongoing development of this centre please contact Evidence on   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it