Founders of “El Haven” gathered on November 14 for a ground-turning ceremony, which marked the start of their planned women’s refuge and orphanage in Vanuatu.
Representatives from the government, including the police commissioner, attended along with representatives from the Vanuatu Mission of Seventh-day Adventists. They all expressed excitement about the project and pledged their support, including to the chief who owns the land.
Sheds have already been built at the site just outside Port Vila, with septic tanks installed and lots of other work done.
This idea for a refuge was the dream of Pastor Dorolyn Laloyer as a place to help young mothers, and unwanted and abandoned babies. Leon and Shirley Coombs are living on site and are overseeing the project.
Lay people from New Zealand and Australia are funding the project and the Vanuatu people are anxious to contribute.
“This is God’s project to save many infant lives and our prayer is that this home will be a beacon of light to many people,” said Pastor John Leeman, former Vanuatu Mission president.
