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Volcanic Earth has managed to make some impact on the global market for natural/organic skin care products selling to individual consumers around the world from Ireland, the UK, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Singapore, Dubai, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, both the North and South islands of New Zealand and virtually every State and Territory in Australia, the USA and Canada.
The main reason for this is our USP (unique selling position). We are not so much in the business of selling naturally organic skin care products in a world of homogeneous skin care competitors, as we are about selling "Exotic Chemical-Free Ethical Bio Solutions For Specific Problem Skin Conditions". Unlike most so-called organic or natural skin care, our entire product range is completely free of any chemicals, artificial preservatives or colouring. In addition, our products are manufactured in perhaps the most bio-friendly country in the world (as evidenced by Vanuatu being rated #1 on the Happy Planet Index).
Most importantly, even though our products are exotic and luxurious, they are primarily designed to address many common and widespread skin conditions. This is in stark contrast to most of our competitors who are really only about selling luxury. Allergy sufferers and product-conscious consumers want chemical-free products that are safe to use and that actually work to address their specific skin care needs. As a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer and exporter, Volcanic Earth is involved in Vanuatu Trade and Export. It is owned and operated by Fresh Change Ltd., a company incorporated in Vanuatu. It's international headquarters are in Port Vila, the Capital of Vanuatu. The company is headed up by two dynamic women, Linda Trenkner and Pam Ryan. Close cousins since childhood, they are both strong advocates of all natural, organically grown products and share in the belief that we are all “connected” to the earth’s energy.....the stronger the connection, the stronger and healthier we become.
Located in the beautiful South West Pacific, Vanuatu (formerly known as the New Hebrides) is comprised of a line of volcanic islands and submarine volcanoes, giving rise to a roller-coaster ride of volcanic activity and tremors as well as occasional tsunamis (tidal waves). Straddling what is known as the “Pacific Ring Of Fire”, Vanuatu is situated between Fiji and New Caledonia (about 1,400 miles east of north-eastern Australia) and boasts the most accessible active volcano on our planet (Mt. Yasur on the outer island of Tanna).
IT's Official - Vanuatu is the World's Happiest Place!
A new global measure of progress, the "Happy Planet Index", which ranks the progress of nations based on the amount of the Earth's resources they use, and the length and happiness of people's lives, has placed Vanuatu in the No. 1 spot out of 178 countries. This Happy Planet Index is a revolutionary new approach to measuring human well-being and environmental impact, published by the New Economic Foundation in association with friends of the Earth. It moves beyond the crude ratings of nations according to national income (GDP) to reveal for the first time that happiness doesn't have to cost the Earth. It shows that people can live long, happy lives without using more than their fair share of the Earth's resources.
Why did Vanuatu rate the highest? Apart from its low population, large land area (with 2500 kms of exposed coastline) and a life expectancy of age 69, the country is a very rich and valuable land resource for growing crops. It's unique rainforests, little logging, excellent democracy record and the fact that the country emits next to no carbon emissions all contributed to this HPI rating. (The full report can be downloaded at http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/uploads/dl44k145g5scuy453044gqbu11072006194758.pdf).
At Volcanic Earth, we believe that the country's greatest resource is the Ni Vanuatu people themselves with their fun-loving dispositions and kind, gentle natures – a big, friendly smile from just one of the local inhabitants is likely to brighten up your whole day. It's probably from breathing in all the natural Frangipani, Vanilla and Sandalwood in an environment virtually free from herbicides, pesticides, insecticides and carbon emissions! Unfortunately, this cheerful outward behaviour actually belies a culture poor in material wealth and high unemployment. Vanuatu is very much a developing nation and outside Port Vila and the larger establishments on the islands of Tanna and Santo, cash is not a common commodity. The subsistence farmers and fisher people are the poorest in terms of their disposable cash income but even in Port Vila, the basic wage per month is less than what most people in westernised countries earn in a week!
In fact, The United Nations classify Vanuatu as a LDC. This stands for a "Least Developed Country". LDCs are defined as the World's poorest nations under UN's standing and call for special treatment, particularly in terms of trade and aid to support their development and priorities. The UN wants Vanuatu to graduate to DCS ("Developing Country Status) by the year 2013. One country that has made a very real commitment to this is the United States. Courtesy of the generosity of the American people, the US government has established the Millennium Challenge Account Fund to help selected LDCs, including Vanuatu. This is a substantial financial investment by the US government involving many millions of dollars. The bulk of these funds have been earmarked for road development in Vanuatu. This will a huge benefit to the local economy here as many of the existing roads are nothing more than goat tracks. Few visitors to the main island of Efate are willing to brave the rough roads to drive around the island. Were this not the case, local villages could operate roadside stalls and stop off points and generate some much needed income for themselves and their families from passing motorists. The Millennium Fund should help change all this for the betterment of the local Ni Vanuatu.
The majority of Ni Vanuatu live in the outer islands in a "Custom Economy" (barter). This means that there is very little cash money for basic necessities such as school fees. As a locally-based employer, Volcanic Earth is supported by the Australian Government (through the Enterprise Challenge Fund) in its desire to help alleviate some of this financial hardship through the provision of livelihood opportunities and jobs, particularly for disadvantaged Ni Vanuatu women. Volcanic Earth seeks to achieve this through concentrating on the manufacture of skin care products where the base ingredients come from the outer island communities of Vanuatu. By purchasing Volcanic Earth products, you are a substantial and welcomed contributor to helping disadvantaged women and men throughtout the region.
It is through its involvement in Vanuatu trade and the opening up global markets for its unique products that Volcanic Earth seeks to be a significant employer for Ni Vanuatu inhabitants but in a way that allows its people to continue to live in happiness and harmony with the beautiful natural (unspoiled) environment and stay in touch with ancient earth.
"Beauty From Deep Within The Earth"
Tankyu tumas Head Office: PO Box 1642 Port Villa.
Vanuatu
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| "Volcanic
Earth"™, our logo and "Wear the Ash" ™
are trademarks of Fresh Change Ltd. of Vanuatu. All rights are reserved
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