"We will sleep under the stars for the first few nights until we get the roof on the building at Paunagnisu, and will be catering for ourselves, eating rice, fish and from army ration packs."
Their day will begin early at 5am to avoid scorching midday heat, before picking up tools for a few hours in the afternoon.
In preparation, students spent weekends learning pidgin English and being briefed on island culture.
Sponsors have contributed $12,000 towards the venture while a further $14,000 has yet to be raised.
Mr Rogers and carpentry programme co-ordinator Steve Spooner had worked in the islands while serving in the New Zealand Army.
They recently returned to assess what was required for the rebuild on a recent information-gathering mission to Vanuatu.
In March, Cyclone Pam claimed 16 lives, demolished buildings and flattened crops in its path - with coastal Paunangisu one of the hardest hit.
"There were stories of families digging holes and lying in them to shelter from the cyclone," Mr Todd said.
"Its ferocity was such that it blew shipping containers around like cardboard boxes."
The health centre in Paunagnisu was an important community facility which served Vanuatu's northern and outer islands.
"As well as re-roofing and re-cladding the 119sq m building, we will construct a new kitchen and provide an eating area for the centre."
A 72sq m structure in Erakor will be upgraded to better withstand cyclones and meet New Zealand building-code requirements.
Vanuatu's Ministry of Health is covering the cost of repair materials while the team from EIT will take tools to supplement those provided by the country's defence force.