For Darryl Veale, who has more than a decade of
experience in New Zealand’s Three Waters sector,
volunteering at World Vision in Bougainville through
Volunteer Service Abroad Te Tūao Tāwāhi (VSA) became a
meaningful way to give back to community-led development
across the Pacific. What drew him in was the strong sense of
purpose he saw across communities and their commitment to
building sustainable systems for the future. “It was clear
before coming here that there is a very strong desire from
within to recover and build self-resilience for future
generations of Bougainvillians,” he says.
Arriving
in Bougainville required flexibility and initiative which is
something he quickly embraced. One of the ongoing
challenges, he explains, has been working out how best to
apply his skills in a very different context. “One of the
key challenges of my time here [has been] to figure out what
skills are needed where and how best to apply them.”
Darryl’s days often involve mentoring colleagues in areas
such as time management, data practices, and practical
project management, alongside joining field visits to
provide hands-on support when needed.
Working in a
developing environment has encouraged him to rethink systems
he once took for granted. Even a simple task, such as
repairing a streetlight, highlights the many interconnected
systems required for it to happen. “Take out any one of
those systems and the repair happens infrequently or not at
all,” he says. “Often, I have to stop and go back to
fundamentals and first principles thinking.”
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As he
spent more time in Bougainville, he also gained a deeper
understanding of the region’s history, including the
long-term impacts of the civil conflict known as The Crisis.
Recognising how this period continues to shape
infrastructure, governance and everyday life gave important
context to the work underway today and reinforced the
importance of supporting locally driven recovery and
self-reliance.
Throughout Darryl’s time in
Bougainville, the people have left a lasting impression.
“This is the safest place I have ever been,” he shares.
“Everyone you meet – from neighbours to colleagues to
strangers – care deeply about you and your wellbeing.”
That sense of care and welcome has shaped his volunteer
experience in lasting ways.
Through his work with
World Vision Papua New Guinea, Darryl regularly travels to
remote and off-grid communities to better understand local
water and sanitation needs. These visits sometimes require
overnight stays to support construction work or meet tight
deadlines – experiences he describes as especially
rewarding. He has also shared his expertise with the local
town council, offering technical guidance in his own time.
Some of his proudest moments come from seeing small but
lasting changes take hold, like a colleague who continued
using a spreadsheet months after being shown how. “It was
a good moment,” he recalls. “Small things like that turn
out to be very rewarding.”
Living and working in
Bougainville has also offered important personal lessons.
Navigating a strong social hierarchy challenged his natural
preference for egalitarian approaches. Reflecting on this,
he says, “Knowing what I know now after nine months, I
would actually lean into the cultural power structure more
and use it to my advantage.” The experience has also
reshaped his perspective on what truly matters. “Money
really has nothing to do with the happiness you seek nor do
possessions,” he reflects, noting how life in Bougainville
has highlighted just how materially comfortable life in New
Zealand can be.
While the work can be challenging, the
appreciation from communities is profound. While Darryl has
completed his assignment in Bougainville, his advice is
honest and encouraging for those considering volunteering.
“Apply for the vacancy even if you think you’re not a
perfect fit,” he says. “You can make a difference, and
it will most certainly make a difference in
you.”
