EnglishEquip Workshops in New Caledonia and Wallis & Futuna Empower Francophone Youth
In July 2025, the Pacific-Australia Youth Association Inc. (PAYA) and EnglishEquip took another step forward in their shared mission of equipping Pacific youth with the tools to lead. Building on the momentum of our partnership announced in June, the EnglishEquip team delivered two dynamic workshops, one in Koné, New Caledonia, and one in Mata’Utu, Wallis and Futuna, introducing young leaders to English language opportunities across the Pacific.
These workshops were proudly funded by the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Small Grants Program and delivered in collaboration with PAYA and local partners in each territory. We were grateful for Mara Hosoda Su’a, U.S.-Pacific Regional Engagement Specialist and Young Pacific Leaders Program Coordinator for joining the trip, demonstrating the support of the U.S. Department of State.
Koné, New Caledonia: Connecting the Northern Province to the Pacific
Held over two days at the Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie’s Baco campus, the Koné workshop brought together young leaders from across the Northern Province. Facilitated by EnglishEquip’s Project Leader, Malik Oedin, and supported by Project Secretary Fiolino Sinemoni Mavaetau, the program blended practical language skills with pathways to regional engagement.
Sessions covered grammar, vocabulary, and conversational English, while also offering insights into volunteering, study, work and professional development opportunities in the Pacific. Group activities and language games kept the learning hands-on and engaging.
The workshop’s impact reached beyond the classroom, it was featured on NC la 1ère, New Caledonia’s national news network, further raising awareness of the importance of English skills for regional mobility.
Special thanks go to the Australian Consul-General, Annelise Young, and the New Zealand Consul-General for their encouraging video messages, and to Change Makers New Caledonia for their local support.
Wallis & Futuna: A Return to Uvea
For the second time in as many years, EnglishEquip volunteers travelled to Wallis and Futuna, a French territory of just 10,000 people with only two flights a week, highlighting the importance of reaching even the most remote Pacific communities.
This two-day program at La Mission d’insertion des Jeunes (MIJ) was led by local facilitator and EnglishEquip Project Secretary Fiolino Sinemoni Mavaetau, with contributions from Malik Oedin and Dominic de Moura McCarthy from the EnglishEquip team.
The workshop combined presentations, vocabulary games, video messages from regional leaders, and organic conversations. Youth participants explored a range of regional education, cultural exchange, and leadership opportunities, opening new doors for those who had previously been limited by language barriers.
“Fakaue lahi ki a koutou” – thank you very much – was the heartfelt message to all partners, stakeholders, and participants who made the visit possible.
Beyond the Workshops: Building Bridges Across the Pacific
These in-person workshops form the first phase of EnglishEquip’s three-part model:
In-person workshops introducing English skills and regional opportunities.
Online mentorship, connecting Francophone youth with English-speaking peers through regular video conversations.
Free online courses designed for Pacific learners.
From August to November 2025, 15 PAYA members will serve as English-speaking mentors, delivering fortnightly conversation sessions to youth in both New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna. This will not only improve language skills but also weave these young people into a broader network of Pacific changemakers.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared History
EnglishEquip’s Project Leader, Malik Oedin, is an alumnus of PAYA’s first Youth Leadership Summit in Nouméa in 2022. Co-CEO of PAYA, Dominic de Moura McCarthy, serves as Project Treasurer, while PAYA Board Member and Treasurer Fiolino Sinemoni Mavaetau is also EnglishEquip’s Project Secretary. This close collaboration has grown from earlier joint projects, including the Young Pacific Leaders-funded Mini TechCamp Wallis in 2023.
By continuing to support EnglishEquip, and with the generous backing of the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) program, PAYA is investing in a vision where every young person, regardless of geography or language, can step confidently into regional spaces, contribute to their communities, and lead with purpose.
📷 See More: Watch NC la 1ère’s feature on the Koné workshop here: NC la 1ère News Story
