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Ii is the scene that provided a stark reminder of the struggles still facing the people of Vanuatu following the destruction caused by Cyclone Pam nearly a year ago.
Roadside, in the capital, Port Vila, under a massive tree, was a car. It was crushed last March in one of the worst natural disasters to hit the Pacific region.
That image hit home to the men and women of the Warringah rugby club as to why they were visiting Australia’s near neighbours on another of their humanitarian tours, following similar trips to Kenya, Fiji, Cuba, Alice Springs and Sri Lanka.
“It was pretty horrifying and the first thing I hoped is that there was no one in the car when the tree fell,” said Ratette forward Sarah Laman. “And it shows they don’t have the facilities to clean up properly.”
On a drive around the island of Efate, Warringah players saw evidence of Cyclone Pam’s ferocity, with the roofs of many homes still covered by tarpaulins, giant potholes on the roads and fields resembling graveyards of coconut trees.
For the first time anyone can remember, the main tourist destination of Efate has to import vegetables from neighbouring Santo and the banana crops are just starting to come back.
So when each of the 23 members of the Rats squad arrived, each carrying at least an extra 22kg of donated sporting equipment and clothing, reams of paper and 400 pens, it was a much-needed boost for the locals.
Already some of the 500kg of gear has been gratefully received on Maskelyne, Ambae, Tanna and Ambrym islands.
The Ififra Island women’s cricket club, for example, has a new kit courtesy of the rugby team from the northern beaches.
Warringah players also spread the rugby gospel by conducting a coaching clinic for 25 members of the Vate Bulldogs rugby club at Independence Park, Port Vila.
Warringah assistant first grade coach Ed Doyle conducted drills before the teams played a friendly game of 10-a-side, with boots optional.
“What Warringah is doing today is fantastic,” said Bulldogs official Nick Regenranu as the players from Australia and Vanuatu ran around together.
“What it is telling us is what we already know, that the rugby community is all connected and you can pretty much go anywhere in the world and feel welcome.
“And for a place like Vanuatu, who have limited resources, for the Rats to come in here and bring all the balls and jerseys that have been donated for other sports as well as rugby, it is just a fantastic boost.”
And the Warringah players have come home with plenty of rewards from their Vanuatu journey. The resilience of the Vanuatu people impressed Laman and the other players.
“They have such a laid- back nature. They seem to have handled everything they have been through better than most people would,” she said.
“They are such happy people and they don’t want much. But I think the gear will definitely help them and they are very appreciative.”