A WOMAN from Sidcup is making a documentary about life on the island of Ambrym in the South Pacific, where she also hopes to build a new school. Alexis Thompson finds out more.

ROSE Wuan was 21-years-old when she left Ambrym, a tiny island in Vanuatu, a group of islands in the South Pacific.

Now thirty years on she plans to return to her home to film a documentary about life on the island and begin work building a new school.

The 52-year-old said: “I make regular trips back home but it makes me very sad when I see the children who are so poorly educated.

“There are a couple of schools on the island but the children learn nothing at them and there is no discipline.

“I have had the idea to set up a school there for many years.”

Miss Wuan says that the idea to make a documentary came about when she met freelance cameraman, Tony Crozier last year.

The former nursery assistant said: “I thought it would be a good idea to make my own documentary with Tony and then see if any of the larger media companies would be interested in broad casting it.

“The idea is that any money I make from the documentary will go towards building the school, which will cost around £10,000.

“The main purpose of the documentary is to give a portrayal of island life through the eyes of a native person.”

Miss Wuan and Mr Crozier who has his own production company called xponential productions in Sydney will start filming the documentary next month.

The mother of two said: “My father was a church minister and owned land on the island.

“When he died he passed the land on to me and my brother, so this is where l will build the school.”

The local economy in Ambrym revolves around agriculture and fishing but tourism is also a fast growing industry.

Miss Wuan says that the children aged 11 to 18-years-old will be be taught by over seas volunteers in subjects, such as English, Maths and Science.

They will also be able to gain a scholarship, which is the equivalent of a GCSE.

She said: “I want to bring the children up to date with modern technology so I will be installing computers and the children will have access to internet at the school.

“Solar panels will generate the power to run the equipment.”

To raise funds to cover the building costs she will also be applying to local businesses for sponsorship and plans to hold a number of fundraising events.

She said: “The building materials are cheap out there, we will use bamboo and leaves but the cost of the computers and solar panels is expensive.”

“I am doing this with my heart, I have already sold my car and I will sell my house if I have to in order to raise the cash.”

To find out more about the project log on to newsshopper.co.uk/video/videonews to watch some footage filmed on the island.