OUR STORY

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 the Managing Director and CEO, Linda Trenkner, who is a strong advocate of natural, organically grown products and shares in the belief that we are all “connected” to the earth’s energy.....the stronger the connection, the stronger and healthier we become. Volcanic Earth has managed to make some impact on the global market for naturally organic skin care products selling to individual consumers around the world from the UK, the EU, South America, Fiji, Africa, Singapore, UAE, Japan, Mexico, Madagascar, Malaysia, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia and virtually every State and Territory in Australia, the USA and Canada.

 

Thanks to the generous support of everday Australians and AusAID through its innovative "Enterprise Challenge Fund" (ECF), Volcanic Earth has now expanded its processing and production facilities, so as to meet overseas market demand for its products in the wholesale and retail sectors of the Australian, New Zealand, USA and Canada health and beauty industry. The benefits of this ECF project also include livelihood opportunities for an estimated 900 or more Ni Vanuatu women who would otherwise be disadvantaged through poverty and unemployment. Numerous local villagers, mainly women, also now have a reliable market from the project’s Tamanu Oil through the collection of Tamanu Nuts. Through the assistance provided by the ECF, Volcanic Earth work more closely with village suppliers to not only increase supply of raw materials but to provide technical support for first stage processing by these suppliers. This value adding increases their incomes and opens up opportunities for related micro business opportunities. Another benefit of the ECF Project has been the additional employment opportunities within Volcanic Earth in the areas of manufacturing, packaging, processing, administration and management.

What sets us apart from the competition? Clearly it 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 offering "Natural Ethical Bio-Friendly Solutions For Specific Problem Skin Conditions".

 

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). Vanuatu is also one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is known for its natural waterways, sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and spectacular sunsets. This magical country is an untouched paradise, virtually free of pollution, pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers or insecticides. Everything seems to grow and flourish here in the rich volcanic soils and high rainfalls. Crops are grown organically without the need for chemicals.

Historically, volcanoes were believed to be the dwelling house of “spirits” and so these mighty sleeping giants were greatly respected and revered. This strong belief in the spirit of the volcano still forms part of the tradition, custom and mythology in some of the outer islands of Vanuatu. Volcanic earth is ancient earth. It comes from deep within the earth’s surface and even below the sea bed of some of the world’s deepest oceans. This ancient earth houses the secrets of lost civilizations and reminds us that "to stay in touch with this ancient earth is to stay in touch with the universe and ourselves".

It is through the use of real volcanic ash that Volcanic Earth seeks to harness and incorporate the earth’s energy into its natural skin care range utilizing volcanic ash skin benefits, volcanic pumice, Virgin Coconut Oil and Tamanu Oil for skin optimisation and anti-aging.

Vanuatu has been host to many famous people including Steve Irwin the “Croc Hunter”, prior to his fatal accident. In 2004, Vanuatu was chosen by the producers of the American TV “Survivor” Program as the location for its “Survive The Islands Of Fire” reality TV series. The name "Vanuatu" means 'Land Eternal' and it's people are predominantly Melanesian. The Ni Vanuatu have populated these volcanic islands for centuries with more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages still thriving here. There are also small communities of French, British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Pacific Island people living in harmony with the Ni Vanuatu. As such, Vanuatu is recognised as one of the most diverse countries in the world.

 

Volcanic Earth believes 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.

Linda Trenkner (Volcanic Earth CEO) attends United Nations Conference in Istanbul 2011

Volcanic Earth recognises that, as a local company, it also has a responsibility to help improve the standard of living of the Ni Vanuatu people so that they at least earn enough cash for life’s essentials such as proper housing, education and medicine. It is through its involvement in Vanuatu trade and the opening up global markets for its unique products that we seek 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. We take great pride in being able to offer you our exclusive range of exceptional organic skin care products, while also contributing to the company's goal of providing much needed livelihood opportunities and employment for disadvantaged Ni Vanuatu.