From the quiet shores of Worasivi Village on Pele Island, Vanuatu, Willie built his livelihood as a fisherman. He sold fish, while his wife sold seafood and laplap, which together formed their family’s main source of income. Life was modest but steady, until an opportunity sparked a bigger dream.
In August 2024, Willie attended a Financial Literacy Training in Tanoliu, Vanuatu, supported by The University of the South Pacific component of the Pacific European Union Marine Partnership (USP PEUMP) programme, funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden. The training opened his eyes to new ways of thinking about money, savings, and planning. Among the many lessons, one stood out for Willie: the creation and use of a vision board. He developed a vision board of his passion and dream; to build and run a business on coral restoration and tours.
Willie had always dreamed of starting a coral restoration project that could grow into a business. With a background in conservation and years of volunteering as a Vanua-Tai Resource Monitor, his passion was already rooted in protecting the ocean. But he had never been sure how to turn his vision into reality; especially since such a business did not yet exist in Vanuatu.
After the training, Willie first opened a namakal (kava bar) to generate income. Yet, every time he looked at his vision board, he was reminded of his true dream: establishing a coral garden that could also support ecotourism. Inspired to take the first step, Willie with support from fellow Vanua-Tai volunteers; launched a Facebook page called Pele Island Coral Garden Tour in December 2024.
By May 2025, the dream had come alive. Willie successfully hosted three dive tours, offering visitors a firsthand experience of coral restoration and the vibrant marine life of Pele. “With my passion in conservation, I have always dreamed of having a coral garden tour business, building on my previous volunteering experiences,” Willie shared.
Though he owns the business, Willie collaborates closely with his Worasivi community, working with boat drivers, coral tour guides, and village leaders through lending fees and shared responsibilities. This cooperative spirit has not only strengthened his business but also created new livelihood opportunities for the community.
Compared to his kava bar, the coral garden tours proved a far better source of income. To take his vision further, Willie developed and submitted a proposal in September 2024. It was approved, and by June 2025, he had signed a contract securing new funding. This support enabled him to expand his project across Pele Island, establishing snorkeling trails, coral designs, and a proper foundation for the business. Construction of the coral garden began in August 2025, backed by advanced tools such as coral-reef satellite mapping and wave modelling.
The project is not only transforming Willie’s life and that of his family; it is also strengthening the Vanua-Tai Resource Monitors Network, boosting local tourism operators, and enhancing conservation efforts across Pele.
Today, Willie still keeps his vision board at home. Each time he walks past it, he is reminded of how a simple tool helped turn his dream into reality: the Pele Island Coral Garden Tour, a venture that blends conservation, livelihood, and community pride.
USP is one of four key implementing partners of the PEUMP Programme, a EUR 45 million programme that promotes sustainable management and sound ocean governance for food security and economic growth while addressing climate change resilience and conservation of marine biodiversity.
It follows a comprehensive approach, integrating issues related to ocean fisheries, coastal fisheries, community development, marine conservation, and capacity building under one single regional action. The PEUMP programme is housed within the Institute of Marine Resources within the Centre for Sustainable Futures.
