Children’s books written by ni-Vanuatu authors and inspired by local life are being delivered to children across Vanuatu, including some of the most remote communities, through an innovative horseback delivery system. In one challenging journey, 59 books were packed into waterproof boxes and transported across rugged terrain, dense jungle, mountains, and rivers to reach young readers who otherwise have little or no access to books.
The initiative is part of Save the Children’s Library For All programme, implemented with the Vanuatu Ministry of Education and Training, aimed at improving literacy levels across the country. The programme is particularly important in Vanuatu, where nearly 80% of children in Year 4 do not meet basic reading proficiency standards, highlighting a major gap in early education outcomes.
The project is providing all 56,000 primary school children in Vanuatu with culturally relevant books written by local authors that reflect everyday life on the islands. By using horseback transport, the programme is able to reach isolated areas where learning materials are extremely limited or unavailable, helping to reduce educational inequality between remote and more accessible communities.
In addition to promoting literacy, some of the books also address emotional wellbeing and disaster resilience. Two titles in the collection focus on helping children cope with the impact of earthquakes, offering simple psychological strategies to manage fear and stress in a country located in a highly active seismic zone. These stories encourage children to express their emotions and seek support from others.
Children who have received the books describe them as both enjoyable and educational. Seven-year-old Evans shared that reading helps him learn difficult words and teaches kindness, while eight-year-old Sylvie enjoys reading books that reflect her own culture and surroundings. Families also note that the stories help children connect more deeply with their heritage and traditions.
Save the Children’s Vanuatu Country Director emphasized that the programme is designed not only to improve reading skills but also to empower children by building imagination, confidence, and decision-making abilities. The organisation believes that literacy opens pathways to opportunity and helps children shape their own futures.
With over four decades of work in Vanuatu, Save the Children continues to support education, health, protection, and emergency response programmes, focusing on reaching children in the most vulnerable and remote parts of the country.
