A helping hand for an 8-month-old survivor

8-month-old Nichola is one of the first babies in Vanuatu to receive nutrition supplements

 through UNICEF following Cyclone Pam. We visit him to see what difference they’re making.
UNICEF Pacific/2015/Berthe

I met Nichola for the first time when a nurse measured the circumference of his arm at Pango Community Centre in Port Vila, Vanuatu. I was relieved to see that the colour of the special measuring tape was green, meaning that Nichola wasn’t dangerously underweight.

How does a ball help change the lives of children?

©Just Play/2012

It all starts with a ball. But when you add an inspiring coach and a safe place to play, the power of sport takes root. Children are naturally drawn to sport, recreation and play, which are a vital part of childhood.

Not only are they a vital part of helping children to grow, learn and explore, they are every child’s right. As outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary on November 20th, 2014, every child has the right to leisure, recreation and cultural activities.

Did you PLAY today?

Rorona Kalsakau, Just Play Project Manager leading a
Just Play session at the at the Vanuatu Society for
Persons with Disabilities in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
©UNICEF/Pacific/2014/Alcock

Everyday around the Pacific region, children gather in open spaces, at community schools and on empty pitches to take part in Just Play sessions. Equipment bags come out, cones and balls line the field. 

Children gather around their coach and wait in anticipation as the Challenge of the Week from the last session is reviewed. Hands fly into the air in response to their coach’s question: “Who worked hard to make health lifestyle choices, eating 2 fruits and 3 vegetables today?” Smiles can be seen, and applause heard coming from the group acknowledging their accomplishment. 

Students thank UNICEF and New Zealand during visit by UNICEF Deputy Executive Director and Regional Director

Lyrics of the song the children sang during the visit.
© UNICEF Pacific/2014/Tahu

The lyrics of the song speaks volumes of the gratitude that Titinge Primary School students have towards the Government and people of New Zealand as well as UNICEF. Their appreciation is for enhancing their learning environment through the solar power for schools pilot project and the upgrade of water and sanitation facilities.

Early this week the students got the chance to present the song to the Ms. Yoka Brandt, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director (DED), Daniel Toole, UNICEF Regional Director (RD) for East Asia and Pacific and a representatives from the New Zealand High Commission Office, during a special visit to the school.

Laugh and cry together: the Solomon way

From L to R - Simon, Francis, Jacob, Israel: community 

coming together. © UNICEF Pacific/2014/Thakkar

Jacob Togovi is a 17-year old boy living in Kwai village in central Guadalcanal province in the Solomon Islands. He has an identical twin named Isaac. In addition, he has three sisters and another brother. Like all children in this village, Jacob and Isaac have completed primary education. But they could not continue their education since the closest secondary school is a three hour walk from their village. Instead they work with their father, Simon, to make ends meet.

The World's Blind Spot

© UNICEF Pacific/2014/Tahu

“Have you visited the Solomon Islands before?’ asked the flight attendant as he poured me a cup of tea. When I told him I hadn’t and, in fact, this was my very first time in the Pacific region; with a smile, he said, “It is a nice country; good people but going through a hard time”. 

I was as foreign to the region, as the region was to me. I wondered why. I am curious about the world, I read a lot about current affairs/issues, I’ve ventured quite a fair bit and am surrounded by well-travelled, interesting people who yawn at the idea of holidaying in Paris, New York. Instead they travel off-the-beaten track to places like Pyongyang, Bratislava, the South Pole and yet I didn’t know a single person who had been to Honiara. I didn’t know anyone who could give me first hand information about the capital city of the Solomon Islands, not some small little village on its many islands but the country’s capital city.

Nasautoka Primary School Leads the Way in School Hygiene in Fiji

Students from Nasautoka Primary School. © UNICEF Pacific/2014/Hing

WAINIBUKA, FIJI – Tiled floors, a mirror and a washbasin with soap. These are the basic ingredients for a school bathroom. But for students of Nasautoka Primary School and many other schools in Fiji, these ingredients and facilities are not common place. 

The lack of hygiene facilities at many schools throughout Fiji account for increased rates of absenteeism and illness among students and teachers. “Most of the students used to get very sick”, says Head Teacher, Kasanita Cakacaka. Unsafe water and poor sanitation account for nutritional deficiencies, diarrhoea, worm infestations, respiratory infections, skin and eye infections. These preventable diseases lead to poor attendance or attention at school and hindering many children’s ability to learn, grow and develop.

The "software" and the "hardware" of immunisation

By Karen Allen, UNICEF Pacific Representative

Baby receiving BCG Vaccine
© UNICEF Pacific/2013/Allen

With a history of both British and French influence, the Government of Vanuatu is facing a challenging language legacy involving curricula, information and training having to be made available in Bislama, French as well as in English.

Young Pacific islanders to envision the future they want at "My World, My SIDS: YES"

Thirty young Pacific islanders aged from 12 to 30 years old gathered in Nadi Fiji Islands to discuss issues close to their heart and envision the future they want.

Note : To view Photo captions enlarge Photo Story and click show info.

Debriefing Rio+20: Fiji Government and Young People's Dialogue

Fiji Government and Young People's Dialogue on Rio+20

Note : To view Photo captions enlarge Photo Story and click show info.

One world - Different Abilities

UNICEF videos showing the situation of children living with disabilities in Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

The Kiribati OneMinutesJnrs

The Kiribati OneMinutesJnrs. Watch the situations, challenges and opportunities facing children and youth in the pacific.

Health and Sanitation

UNICEF Pacific acts to make certain that children survive their earliest years and develop all the way to adulthood. UNICEF Pacific plays a key role in purchasing and distributing vaccines for children’s immunisation. The Health and Sanitation programme works in partnership with Ministries of Health, national and international organisations to strengthen health services and to improve water and sanitation facilities, guaranteeing child survival between and during humanitarian crises.

Education is critical to a child’s development and well-being

Education is critical to a child’s development and well-being. UNICEF Pacific in partnership with Ministries of Education and regional organisations devotes special efforts to giving all girls and boys equal learning opportunities. Innovative approaches are being used to ensure children complete basic education and achieve learning outcomes; addressing the holistic development of the child; and contributing to learning and motivation to encourage children to remain in school and to complete basic education. Watch videos produced by young people showing the situations, challenges and opportunities facing children and youth in the pacific.

Gender Based Violence

UNICEF Pacific is a champion for ensuring gender equality end equity in the organisations operations and programming. Watch videos produced by young people showing the situations, challenges and opportunities facing children and youth in the pacific.

Understanding HIV and AIDS risk and vulnerability

The HIV and AIDS programme works to reduce vulnerability to and impact of HIV and AIDS among the most “at risk” populations in Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu as well as Fiji and Tuvalu, with a special focus on children and women. Watch videos produced by young people showing the situations, challenges and opportunities facing children and youth in the pacific.