Story book released to help children cope with Covid-19

PARENTS struggling to explain the reality of Covid-19 to children have some help with the launch of a story book today by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and others.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, explained that helping children understand the situation was essential.

“Previous humanitarian emergencies have shown us how vital it is to address the fears and anxiety of young people when life as they know it gets turned upside down. We hope that this beautifully-illustrated book, which takes children on a journey across time zones and continents, will help them to understand what they can do to stay positive and keep safe during the coronavirus outbreak.”

 

Collaboration

The book, targeted at primary school learners, is a project of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, a unique collaboration of United Nations agencies, national and international non-governmental organisations and international agencies providing mental health and psycho-social support in emergency settings.

ALSO READ: #Covid19Lockdown: Durban psychologists step up offer of free mental health services

The book aims to help children understand and come to terms with Covid-19 and has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organisations working in the humanitarian sector, including the WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children.

Fantasy creature

With the help of a fantasy creature, Ario, My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19! gives children advice on how they can protect themselves, their families and friends from the coronavirus.

It also offers some help in how to deal with the rapidly changing reality of the world as well as how to manage the stresses which such change brings including difficult emotions.

ALSO READ: Lockdown: Parents struggle to cope with new role of teaching from home

During the early stages of the project, more than 1 700 children, parents, caregivers and teachers from around the world shared how they were coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The input was invaluable to script writer and illustrator, Helen Patuck, and the project team in making sure the story and its messages resonated with children from different backgrounds and continents.

Launch praised

Henrietta Fore, executive director of UNICEF had high praise for the launch of the book.

“All over the world, children’s lives have been completely upended – the majority of them living in countries with some form of restricted movement or lockdown. This wonderful book helps children understand and navigate this new landscape and learn how they can take small actions to become the heroes in their own stories.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi said he applauded the strong message in the story that everyone was in this struggle together.

ALSO READ: Navigating COVID-19 with trepidation and humour

“This is an important resource for children around the world with a strong message of inclusion at its heart – that this pandemic can only be beaten if everyone is included in its prevention and response. Children, including those who are refugees, displaced and stateless, can help too. No one is protected unless we are all protected.”

Meanwhile, Audrey Azoulay, director general of UNESCO, expressed his pride that the organisation he headed was one of the project’s supporters.

“Sharing facts and reliable information is vital to respond to Covid-19, and I wish to commend the creativity and passion of all artists, writers and publishers who find compelling ways to translate and craft stories and artwork so they can reach children and families to comfort and guide them through a distressing situation.  UNESCO is proud to support this initiative and we see this as an example of the contribution of the artistic community to the well-being and resilience of all.”

In order to reach as many children as possible, the book will be widely translated, with six language versions released today and more than 30 others in the pipeline. It is being released as both an online product and audio book.

To download the PDF version to read on your digital device, click on this link.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).

Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.

Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.