While many countries in the West happily accept women candidates in local general elections, Vanuatu rarely does.
(1888PressRelease) July 25, 2008 - Hilary Clinton pioneered the way for women to enter the higher echelons of politics in the United Stated. Now it seems the battle for Vice-President could well be fought in a female arena.
It has long been said that the hand that rocks the cradle rocks the nation. This may once again be proven to be true, in the political arena of 2008.
Political writer Douglas Drenkow says it is vital for Obama to pick a woman, in order to lessen the impact, should McCain opt to select a female as his running mate. Many call it the Hilary legacy, as speculation runs wild.
A world away, in the South Pacific, the 21st Century has not brought a great deal of change to the “Happiest Country on Earth”. Vanuatu has long had an oral culture, where traditions are handed down from father to son, as they hunt, fish and attend the local gardens, or over a cup of kava, the local made drink.
They system of 'wan-tok' (one talk) has been long adhered to. A system where privileges are handed down from uncle to nephew, cousin or brother etc.
In an unprecedented move, the National Council of Chiefs acknowledged the late Grace Melissa, from the island of Ambae, as a personage of high status, both in the cultural and political arenas. A woman of exceptional leadership quality.
Jenny Ligo, also from Ambae, is only the second woman to follow in her aunt’s footsteps. Jenny, the former CEO for the Vanuatu National Council of Women, achieved a high chiefly status, when she was honored by the Chairman of the National Council of Chiefs, Chief Paul Tahi. This came after Jenny performed the nerve racking high-rank ceremony of ceremoniously killing pigs, to mark her marriage to her husband, Joe Ligo, last year.
Once again, Jenny came to the forefront, when for a second time she performed the same ceremony. The chiefs of North Ambae identified Jenny as an exceptional national leader with highly recognized and respected leadership qualities. They endorsed Ms Ligo, as the people’s first candidate to contest the upcoming general elections for their region.
The women of Vanuatu are taking heart in the light of these new developments in their ancient culture. Like mother's world-wide, they desire to see their children advance. To see the next generation given better opportunities than they had.
Education is not free in Vanuatu and the absence of government backed social welfare, means what little money is available, is used to educate the males. Young girls do not have the opportunity for education, where many of the islanders live on under $1 per day.
The horrendous consequences of the education being low on the list of priorities are:
• Only 55.8% of Vanuatu Kids will make grade 6
• Of those only 18.2% will go to high school
• 26% will never go to school at all.
In a country that has one of the the highest birth rates in the South Pacific, more and more young people are being influenced by peer pressure and the latest trends of the 21st Century. There is a growing restlessness in the younger generation, who are demanding the right to an education. The right to become qualified leaders for their country. Girls are demanding to be allowed to gain qualifications, so they too can take their rightful place in the local government.
YouMe Support Foundation is one of the few charities raising funds for these educationally challenged youths. Their Child Trust Fund provides non-repayable high school education grants to the children of the Outer Islands. Children who will never have the opportunity to see the inside of a high school classroom without outside assistance.
The foundation gives high achievers of the next generation an opportunity, many of their parents never had. They assist these isolated communities to take a quiet step into the 21st Century, careful to retain the unique beauty of the ancient customs and traditions. These youth need your help, through a Blue Moon Opportunity, as they struggle to gain a balanced view of the wider world community.
It is hoped that the courageous path Hilary Clinton has forged and women like Jenny Ligo, will be able to make a difference in the lives of these isolated communities. Women will put education high on the government's agenda.
While many countries in the West happily accept women candidates in local general elections, Vanuatu rarely does. 
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