The idea to build a school in a remote country from scratch is not something the ordinary tourists decide to do.

“After holidaying with my wife over there, we noticed there weren’t many schools, so I purchased some land and decided to build one,” he said.

Construction of Tebakor Secondary College began in 2004. There are now 540 students enrolled from year 9 – 13.

The task was far from a walk in the park for Mr Clements who is a diesel mechanic by trade. 

“It has been a very steep learning curve, from being a diesel mechanic to organising a secondary school,” he said.

Mr Clements built the school desk’s and equipment at his home workshop in Tura Beach. He relied on school fee’s from parents to support costs as well as working at the Tura Beach Golf Club.

“I built everything at home and then shipped it all over, because the school is all privately owned there was no help from their government.”

“We have relied on school fee’s from faithful parents to give their children a decent education,” he said.

It was not made easy for Mr Clements, he said jealousy and misconceptions which the local ni-Vanuatu people had towards him made things tough.

“They’re a third world country and they’re poor, we have had 33 break-ins and unfortunately people steal.”

“I was also taken to court at one point, even though I owned the land the people wanted to take it back and filed an indigenous land claim against me,” Mr Clements said.

However, Mr Clements did not give up, the school now has a science laboratory, library, canteen, 24/7 security and a staff of 36 ni-Vanuatu people. 

“Students are getting good marks and progress on to employment, I know some who have gone on to become doctors and accountants,” he said.

Now, semi-retired Mr Clements regularly visits Port Vila and feels grateful of the school’s success.

“When we go back to visit and walk down the street, people recognise us and say hello, in fact someone once stopped me and said ‘hey, I went to your school and now I work in a bank’.”

“It is very, very gratifying to know we have helped a lot of people,” he said.