Education changes futures - particularly when the support is ongoing.
In many parts of Vanuatu, girls do everything right. They show up. They work hard. They want to learn…….And then, quietly, the pathway closes.
School becomes unaffordable. Expectations shrink. Opportunity narrows. Not because these girls lack ability, but because no one is there to walk with them long enough.
The Wilkins Family Foundation (WFF) exists to change that. We support girls through education not as a short-term intervention, but as a long- term commitment. From secondary school through to vocational or tertiary pathways, we stay with them as they grow into women who can lead, contribute and shape the future of their communities.
This is not about charity, this is about fairness and opportunity.
Florence Samsin
Before:
Florence lost her mother shortly after the birth of her baby sister. At just eight years old, she stepped into the role of caregiver, carrying responsibilities far beyond her years. When Florence was 16 and in Year 9, Sallie from the Wilkins Family Foundation met her at Rensarie Senior Secondary College on the remote island of Malekula. Florence was bright and capable, yet weighed down by grief and trauma. Her family was struggling to survive, and the cost of education made continuing school feel impossible. Despite everything, Florence showed remarkable strength, resilience, and determination.
What Changed:
Florence received a scholarship through the Wilkins Family Foundation, allowing her to continue secondary school and move to the capital Port Vila where greater educational opportunities became possible.
Now:
Florence graduated successfully from secondary school and is now in her second year at the University of Fiji, achieving high grades across all her subjects. Florence’s journey is a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when opportunity meets determination. She is an inspiration to her family, her community, and beyond — and her future is full of promise.
What do these stories tell us?
What's fair?
Studies show that many hundreds of girls in Vanuatu are withdrawn from education for many reasons, poverty, preferential treatment for boys, or just plain hardship. As a result, not only does the girl suffer, but their family, and community. The Foundation is helping to change these statistics.
Education stops early
If someone's education falls short of its potential, for whatever reason, then whatever we can do to ensure it continues adds significant value. The Foundation's work is built in partnership with schools and communities in Vanuatu, grounded in trust, accountability and local leadership. We invest early, stay the course, and measure success by what changes over a lifetime, not a moment.
Talent is lost
The girls who are part of the Foundation are all potential leaders who have shown their capabilities through a competitive application process. These are girls who will succeed, not only because someone has demonstrated belief in them, but it has confirmed that they have talent which will not be lost.
Why this matters
When girls are supported to learn and lead, the impact reaches far beyond the individual. Families are strengthened. Communities are more resilient. The future workforce is more capable and more equal. The work Wilkins Family Foundation is doing impacts more than just a person.
Evelyn Mrenato
Before:
We met Evelyn on a typically steamy afternoon on the remote island of Malekula, Vanuatu. It was March 2019, the first year of WFF’s operation and the time of our very first interviews.
The WFF local team was interviewing Year Nine female students at Lakatoro Junior Secondary Boarding School. Evelyn was 16 years old and an orphan. Her parents had passed away within a short period of each other when she was in Years Four and Five. Since then, she had been raised by different family members who struggled to afford her school fees. Her future looked uncertain. Yet even then, we saw Evelyn’s strength and quiet courage — qualities shaped by loss, hardship, and resilience. Her teachers spoke highly of her academic commitment and leadership potential. As a dormitory leader, Evelyn was responsible for supporting younger girls with homework, ensuring attendance at evening devotions, and keeping the dormitory clean and organised.
What Changed:
Six years later, Evelyn has completed secondary school and earned a Certificate in Accounting and Administration. Following a successful internship, she has secured full-time employment as a trainee accountant with a highly respected company in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital. Recognising her potential, the company has committed to sponsoring Evelyn’s tertiary studies in Accountancy.
Now:
WFF hasn’t just funded Evelyn’s education, we have walked alongside her. Through mentoring and leadership training, we helped her recognise and build upon her inherent strengths. Evelyn’s journey from a shy, vulnerable orphan to a confident, educated young woman with a clear career path embodies the purpose of WFF and the life-changing impact of sustained support.
Donor voices
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