Press Release
Port Vila, Vanuatu – April 30th, 2025
Every school-aged child in Efate will soon have their very own copy of a book to help them overcome the impact of the December Earthquake. In a significant initiative to support the mental health of children affected by the recent earthquake, two trauma-informed books were authored by a child psychologist based in Vanuatu and will be distributed to children in Efate. These books, published by Save the Children’s Library For All (LFA) program, are designed to help children and young people cope with the ongoing trauma caused by the earthquake.
The first book, aimed at children aged 8 years and under, narrates the story of a brother and sister who share their earthquake experiences and find comfort in their surroundings. The second book, intended for children aged 9 years and up, provides factual information to help young people understand the impact of trauma on their bodies and well-being and develop techniques to overcome trauma.
Written within three weeks of the earthquake by child psychologist Agnieszka Kochanowicz, these newly released books will be distributed to primary and secondary school students across Efate.
“We are especially proud to have been able to quickly publish and print two trauma-informed books and distribute them to every child in Efate affected by the earthquake. We know that children are disproportionately impacted by disasters and, following the earthquake in December, we heard time and time again that it was the invisible trauma- the mental health impacts- that are hurting the most. That’s why we wanted children to have something they can each take home and reflect on, this earthquake book, to help them think about the event and develop good strategies to overcome the event whether that be through positive visualisation, prayer, calming their breathing or learning to speak openly about their fears. The development of these books was done in such a way, by a child psychologist based in Vanuatu, to leverage the way that trauma affects our bodies and by applying practical ways that trauma can be overcome. These books provide not only educational value, but emotional support, offering age-appropriate content that is engaging, informative, and healing,” said the Save the Children’s Country Director Polly Banks.
This initiative was made possible through the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-funded Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP). The official launch of the books took place at Freswota School, with Save the Children Australia Pacific Regional Director, Kim Koch, in attendance to witness and participate in the event , alongside Director General to the Ministry of Education and Training and the Australian High Commission in Port Vila.
In addition to the two books that specifically address the impact of the earthquake on children,, Save the Children is also preparing to publish 25,000 books written entirely by Ni-Vanuatu writers, through workshops hosted by Save the Children and published through their Library For All Program. The books will be printed and shipped to school children all across Vanuatu.
“As we have recently launched the new Curriculum Improvement Program (CIP), the development and introduction of reading books through the Library For All initiative aligns strongly with our vision. These books will fit well within the CIP framework by providing relevant, age-appropriate and contextualized learning materials that support literacy and promote critical thinking at all levels of the curriculum,” said the Director General of the Ministry of Education and Training.
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