The Wilkins Family Foundation (WFF) - An Educational Charity
We are a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) promoting education and leadership for disadvantaged girls in Vanuatu, through long term scholarships, mentoring and life skills training.
Our focus is developing future leaders through education, one girl at a time.
What we do
Work with local communities to ensure marginalised girls have an opportunity to continue and improve their educational journey.
News & Publications
Wilkins Family Foundation information library.
Donate
We would love to have your financial support as it makes a huge difference to young lives.
Florence - One girl's Story
Florence’s mum tragically died after giving birth to her baby sister. Florence was eight when she took on the responsibilities of helping to care for her baby sister.
When Sallie, Wilkins Family Foundation’s Country Manager at that time, met with Florence at Rensarie Senior Secondary College on the remote island of Malekula, Florence was 16 and in year 9. It was evident that she still carried the sadness and trauma of loss. Not just the tragedy of the death of her mother at such a young age, but she was also facing the loss of a chance at life. Sallie recalled “Florence was clearly a bright girl, but she carried the shadow of deep sadness within her”.
Florence and her family were struggling with simply surviving, and continuing her education had become an impossibility. The financial costs were just too great for them to be able to cover. More than this, the hardships she and her family were facing were becoming too overwhelming for Florence to be able to cope with. Despite this, Sallie could see in Florence the determination, strength and resilience to succeed.
Florence Samsin is one of our sponsored Scholars and has been with us almost from the beginning. We are very proud of her and what she has already achieved and what she will become in the future. Below is her abridged testimony.
In her words
“My name is Florence Samsin and I am from Malekula. I am sponsored by WFF and they have really helped me a lot by paying my school fees. Without them I would not have reached University. They are the ones that have supported me a lot, encouraging me to do better and they trusted me to succeed.
WFF are like parents to me and they mean a lot. I really appreciated them because without the WFF I can’t be who I am now. Now I am sponsored by Vangov scholarship and I am doing my study at the University of South Pacific in Fiji. WFF taught me a lot of things. How to become a strong woman despite challenges.
Through WFF they have made me become who I am, standing up for my rights. No matter what they have always supported me and they have really helped my Dad back then when I lost my Mum. WFF came in to help my Dad too by help carry the burden.”
Evalyn - One girl's Story
In her words
“After losing my parents I never thought I would be able to finish school. I am so thankful to the Wilkins Family Foundation for paying my school fees from year nine to year 13. After paying my boarding and school fees for 5 years and supporting me through School, they then paid for my Accounting Course at VIT and helped me find an internship in Port Vila. Much thanks to the WFF team For the Support and care💛”
'Education is Hope' a Celebration of girls Education and young women's Leadership.
The Wilkins Family Foundation premiered ‘Education is Hope’ in mid 2024, a short film which highlights some of the work we do in Vanuatu.
You can find more Video Media including a shorter version by following the link below.