Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Gives PA System to Adventist Youth

By Vania Chew, South Pacific Adventist Record

The prime minister of the small South Pacific island-nation of Vanuatu has donated a public address system toward a music video project being organized by a group of Seventh-day Adventist young people.

Prime Minister Charlot Salwai presented the public address system to Patrick Fred, head elder of the newly organized Napakou Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the church’s assistant youth leader, Priscilla Samson.

The equipment is valued at 370,000 Vanuatu Vatu (U.S.$3,365) and includes three microphones, two speakers, a power amplifier, mixer, cables, and a microphone stand.

“The Vanuatu prime minister’s office has a community development fund where youth and churches can apply for funding of community projects,” Fred said. “Our church was in need of a PA system, so we applied for one and the prime minister approved the purchase of the system under this fund.”

The Napakou Adventist young people are primarily based in Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, and Nguna Island. They plan to use this equipment to create a music DVD with 13 songs of praise, encouragement, and hope.

“I believe these instruments will be put to good use, and I look forward to seeing the impact of this donation,” Salwai said as he presented the equipment to the church leaders.

Salwai recently met with Adventist Church president Ted N.C. Wilson as well as the presidents of the church’s South Pacific Division, Trans-Pacific Union Mission, and Vanuatu Mission during an official visit by the Adventist delegation to Vanuatu.

Fred, in accepting the equipment, said he appreciated the prime minister’s donation. He underscored that it was important to invest in activities that helped young people become resourceful and respected within their communities.

Fred then presented the prime minister with several mats as a gift to reflect the church’s appreciation.

Young people from the Napakou Seventh-day Adventist Church singing “I Need You Lord” in their first music video for a music DVD. (Whitelight Media)