From intern to leadership role

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD), the story of Evelyn Kwemoli Qwero, a young Ni-Vanuatu woman who rose from intern to Administration and Payroll Officer at Live & Learn Vanuatu (LLV), stands as a powerful example of perseverance, humility, and belief in one’s potential.

At just 29 years old, Evelyn’s journey reflects the opportunities that can emerge when dedication meets support and mentorship. A former student of St. Patrick’s College, Evelyn later pursued further training at Youth Challenge Vanuatu (YCV), where she developed skills that would later help shape her professional path.

Her career with Live & Learn Vanuatu, a leading environmental and community development organization, began when she joined as an intern. After completing her internship in 2021, Evelyn continued with the organization as a volunteer, determined to contribute to community development efforts despite uncertainties about her own place within the organization.

Later that same year, during the challenging period of the COVID-19 crisis, Evelyn was offered a position as an Administration Officer, marking the beginning of her professional journey within LLV.

However, the early days were not without difficulties.

Evelyn admits that when she first started, she often felt invisible and unsure of herself. “At times I felt unimportant and unseen,” she reflected. “Because of my background and the training I had, I sometimes felt like I did not belong.”

Despite these doubts, Evelyn remained committed to learning and growing. Working closely with different project teams, she gained experience in project administration, logistics, and organizational coordination, learning the importance of teamwork and collaboration in serving communities across Vanuatu.

“Live & Learn Vanuatu gave me the opportunity to grow,” she said. “I learned the value of teamwork and the power of working together for the benefit of our communities.”

Her dedication did not go unnoticed. In 2026, Evelyn was promoted to Administration and Payroll Officer, a role that places her at the heart of the organization’s administrative and financial operations.

The promotion came as a surprise to Evelyn, who said she never expected to be entrusted with such responsibility, even though she believed she had the potential to perform the role.

“I am very thankful to the Country Manager of Live & Learn Vanuatu, Mrs. Glarinda Andre–Tenearu, for trusting and believing in my abilities,” she said.

Evelyn credits much of her preparation for the new role to the mentorship she received from the finance officers she previously worked alongside. Through their guidance, she developed skills that she believes will help her transition smoothly into her new responsibilities.

She also expressed appreciation to her colleagues for their continued support. “I am grateful to everyone I have worked with and I look forward to continuing to work closely with them in this new position.”

As the global community recognizes women’s achievements and leadership during International Women’s Day, Evelyn hopes her journey will encourage other young women in Vanuatu to believe in themselves and pursue their goals with confidence.

Her message to young women is simple yet powerful.

“Do not look down on yourself. Always believe in yourself,” she said. “Stay humble, do your work with respect, do it diligently, and always do it with a good heart. Always listen to your superiors and always put God first in everything you do. God will guide you.”

Evelyn’s story is not only a celebration of personal success but also a reminder that empowering women and creating opportunities for growth can have lasting impacts on communities throughout Vanuatu.