Katherine Kasso, Library for All Program Manager with Save the Children in Vanuatu. Photo: Save the Children
Children in Vanuatu will soon be able to see themselves in books, which will likely include themes of climate change and natural disasters.
One-hundred new books will be written by local writers, which will be printed into more than 8000 copies and distributed to children living in remote communities.
Culturally relevant children's books launched in Vanuatu
The project called 'Library for All' was just launched and will have new books in the hands of children in 14 months' time.
The organisation's country director Polly Banks said the books will mirror the world of the children in Vanuatu, not only ones that give a glimpse into the lives of others.
"You can imagine a child in Vanuatu picking up a book about Paddington Bear living in London and the story, although it provides an imaginative window to a world far, far beyond, these books don't create a sense of their own identity."
She said data from Pacific Islands literacy and numeracy assessment showed that 79 percent of year four students in Vanuatu are not meeting the regional minimal expected standard in reading.
"There's many reasons why children aren't able to read to the level that they should.
"But one of those reasons is the lack of reading books that are available and all of the science tells us that it's important not just to have those window books but also books that mirror their own world."
She said the books will come from the creativity of local writers, but the organisation will support themes of climate and natural disasters in writing workshops being hosted around the country.
Library for All program manager in Vanuatu, Katherine Kasso, said the project will "inspire a new generation of readers and thinkers" in the country.
"We are empowering children with the tools they need to unlock their potential and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities," she said.
Kasso will be hosting the writing workshops and working with the publishing team to ensure the books a genuinely reflecting life in Vanuatu. Each book will go through a publishing selection process.
The books will also be loaded on a free reading app once they are published.
The Church of Latter Day Saints are giving NZ$450,000 to support the programme.