Vunty String Band raising funds to build a dispensary

January 5, 2025 9:27 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Charles Hakwa.

Vunty String Band has released their 12-track debut album called Sanma Arise and Shine.

The string band hails from Alkoru village in the Big Bay Inland region on Santo.

Band manager John Aruspey, told Daily Post during their album launch at the Korman Market premises that the songs are in English, Bislama as well as their native language. 

The Band manager said the album consists of love songs, religious songs as well as songs about daily life in Big Bay.

Aruspey said the main purpose behind the formation of the band and the launching is to raise funds and build a dispensary in their village.

SANMA Provincial Government Councillor Remy Almele who sponsored the band’s recording said the Big Bay region on Santo is remote and they face a lot of hardship, therefore the band would like to share their hardship through song and get the government of the day to realise their daily difficulties in things such as poor telecommunication signals, lack of quality road access and health facilities nearby.

Councillor Almele said when someone is sick they have to carry them in bags and cross the fast flowing river to get to the main road to find transport to Luganville and the similar situation is also faced by pregnant mothers needing to deliver. He says several times in the past, they have lost sick people along the way and mothers have lost their babies, hence the reason why they really want a dispensary to be at their doorstep.

Vunty’s music style is similar to that of Shakura and Buliva, so fans of these stringbands or others with a similar sound will certainly enjoy Vunty’s music. The pro cards are VT2,000 and can be purchased through arrangements made with the band through their Facebook page.