Pastor Maseaha Nato's Vission and Passion In Forestry

 

Written by Ioan VijiNakarai Vutilolo

(Chairman of Vunausi Environmental Conservation Organization. VECO).

As we witness the struggle and excitement of independence in the early 80s - is the birth of this nation’s vision or dream materialized. During the raising of the flag on 30th of July in 1980 glimpse of the vision or dreams of independence observed in the events or activities dramatized in the celebration.

The Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu in the recent history for Independence are amongst other churches then are leaders and strong supporter for Independence and thanks also to the Missionaries for their significant support as well towards achieving our independence.

During the Missionary era one of the Presbyterian Church Missionaries had the vision or dream to establish the first ever Forestry Research Trial in Vanuatu (or New Hebrides then) on Tangooa Island, SANMA province of a Tree Species Trial including indigenous and exotic tree species – the latter including the Mahogany tree species. Today the Department of forests is sending seeds or planting materials of the Tangao Mahogany Provenance throughout the country for planting in the islands.

Thirty five years (35 years) after independence to reflect in the forestry sector that we have moved even ahead is best assessed by the word sustainability of which equation must have indication of social or people’s active participation in and reflects visons or dreams laid out by great leaders of this nation.

Am writing this brief narrative to share the interest and vision in forestry of a great leader Pastor Maseaha Nato of the Presbyterian Church whom I admired greatly. I am hopeful will shade some light as your read - to what is not only preached in the Word by this gentleman but acted on and carrying on the Touch position by the Presbyterian Church Missionary in the sector of forestry earlier before independence. Image a great turn around it will be in achieving the vision or dreams of independence when more great leaders of this nation could spend valuable time support their people in developing the natural renewable resources such as the forest resource. “Every time is priceless even if plenty or small not to live in regret for a vision or dream” is a food for thought as we journey towards our dreams or visions.

Pastor Maseaha Nato with his Sandalwood nursery, Tautu village, North West Malekula.

I had the privilege to meet this interesting gentleman at the Presbyterian Church Talua Theology Ministry – Pastor Maseaha from Tautu village, North East Malekula. As I recalled Pastor Maseaha has a great passion for growing trees and he and his wife enjoy and love their gardening. He wanted to know more about the different trees he is growing and the values and benefits there are and he is a great teacher to share information about trees and growing them.

Recalling in his words; “Forestry i important yufala I mas plantem ol tri blong helpem life blong yumi”

Pastor Maseaha spends time visiting woodlot planting in the field in South Santo and shared experience in the field. He collects planting materials such as seedlings or seeds to get back home to his land in Tautu, North East Malekula to plant. He is a great naturalist and farmer I do admire his knowledge and skills in growing trees. Pastor Maseaha attended one of my Workshops in Lakatoro in Malekula and with excitement he shares what we were doing and that was to me humbling that this great leader witness and relate to the community people his interest in trees and to teach people importance of trees and encourage them to grow and care for trees and the environment.

I visited Pastor Maseaha’s home and I am greatly impressed to see that even with the demanding schedule of the church and at the Talua Theology Ministry and an elderly person and still have time to do his great passion in growing trees. He has a fruit trees orchard beautifully landscaped around his home and a nursery with healthy Sandalwood trees growing. He proudly showed his trees and that what he was doing was similar to what am doing back home. It is rewarding to see a gentleman like Pastor Mashia and his wife to share the same dream or vision in forestry and actively practice it and teaching it.

Pastor Maseaha is still teaching at the Presbyterian Church Talua Theology Ministry at South Santo in SANMA province and continue to have great interest in growing trees and teaching or passionately talking about trees to people him meet and is a great honor to know a great leader like him.

I salute Pastor Maseaha Nato and his wife and family for their significant contribution for his vision and dream in forestry to grow trees to support the live of the rural community he works with and also his community of Tautu, North West Malekula and am sure actively witnessing at the Talua Theology Bible Ministry for the all Vanuatu..