BulanLifestyle.com

It was Friday night. I had no plans. My friend and I decided to go for a quiet dinner. We had dinner at Straits Quay which overlooked the marina. By chance, we were invited onto a boat that was parked there. We were invited by a couple and crew to hop aboard the historical VEGA.

We discovered this was no ordinary couple and the Vega was no fancy cruise liner.

Shane Granger, a successful advertising photographer, moved to East Africa to fulfill his dream to work as a bush pilot in the mid 90s. During this time the idea developed to use his extensive commercial advertising experience for the benefit of communicating health and environmental messages to the rural population in East Africa. It was not long before he was being sent all over the world by WHO,UNICEF, BBC World Service Trust, and WWF to develop and produce behavioral change and educational materials.

Meggi Macoun, born in Prague, studied graphic design in Germany, moved to Africa to work. She has planned national, regional, and global campaigns for WHO, UNICEF, WWF, BBC and many others. She was a driving force in developing the community driven communications system and the combined production / training programs that are so cost effective and successful.

Capt Shane Granger and Maggie crossed paths through work.

In 2002, they discovered Vega, a 120 years old Norwegian build historic vessel which they lovingly restored to use as a catalyst to continue their work.
Every year since, the VEGA and her volunteer crew sail about 7,000 miles to collect and deliver between 15 and 20 tons of donated tools, educational and medical supplies. Those supplies are loaded on board in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore then delivered to East Timor and remote islands in Eastern Indonesia. Those supplies help support local level community development, health, and educational services. Supplies are also collected in Australia by VEGA supporters and shipped to Dili on board the yachts in the yearly Darwin to Dili Regatta.In addition, advanced training for traditional midwives and teaching aids for rural teachers are provided by a fully qualified Indonesian doctor  who travels with on board, providing medical services on the remote islands and holding workshops or training seminars for traditional midwives.

For more info on Vega and if you would like to volunteer or donate:

1. website,

2. facebook page,

3. wordpress blog

 

The team was so warm and friendly and passionate about their cause despite being exhausted from collecting supplies and welcoming people on board their vessel all day long. Sorry my photos are not great because it was dark.