23 Mar 2004

New Zealand programme offered to protect children

3:44 pm on 23 March 2004

There is hope a New Zealand education programme for kindergarten children will be implemented all over the Pacific.

The International Development manager for New Zealand Family Planning says its programme 'Feeling Special, Feeling Safe' teaches children to develop self-esteem to protect them against bullying, negative peer pressure and sexual abuse.

Eileen Kelly says the Vanuatu Family Health Association will adapt the programme and a Vanuatu programme co-ordinator visited New Zealand for training last month.

"Vanuatu heard about it and I understand there had been some cases in the pre-schools of suspected sexual abuse, but because of cultural mores and things, it's a very difficult issue."

Eileen Kelly, Manager of the International Development Team of Family Planning.