Vanuatu High Commission received toothbrush and toothpaste from a dentistry in Lower Hutt, Wellington, NZ.

Lyn Howes, the wife of late Nick Howes made a phone call to the Mission and then quickly visit to drop boxes of toothpaste and toothbrushes that she gifted to Vanuatu children. Vanuatu High Commission has gladly received the gift and will be shipping this to Vanuatu in the coming days.

Following is Lyn’s story.

“My name is Lyn Howes. I have two daughters, Jaimee, and Jes. My husband (Jaimee and Jes’s father) was a dental surgeon in Lower Hutt for 30 years. Nick was lucky enough to do voluntary work in one of the villages in Vanuatu in the 1980’s.

In 2010 Nick had dementia. He was only 52 years old. He was doing extremely well before he became very unwell with pancreatitis. Sadly, he passed away on the 30^th of July 2024 (Vanuatu Independence) at the age of sixty-five.

Nick always wanted to give back in someway to dentistry. My children and I decided that it would be nice to give back to Vanuatu since Nick had really enjoyed his experience working voluntarily there.

We Would like to donate: 50 x yrs 0-2 toothpaste, 50x yrs 0-2 toothbrushes; 51 x yrs 2-5 toothpaste, 50x yrs 2-5 toothbrushes; 61 x yrs 6+ toothpaste, 50x yrs 6+ toothbrushes; 101 x adult toothpaste, 101 adult toothbrushes.

We hope that this cold please be distributed to those who need it. We are sorry that we cannot cater for everyone, but we hope this may help. Thank you. Lyn, Jaimee, and Jes Howes (Lower Hutt, NZ).’

Tank yu tumas Lyn mo Tufala gel blo yu. Our condolences to you and your daughters for the loss of your husband and Dad, Nick. The Vanuatu High Commission appreciates the gift and will send it off to Vanuatu.