Educating Children in Fight against COVID-19

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) has released a children’s story book titled 'My Hero is You' to educate children in the fight against COVID-19. With illustrations from children’s book author Helen Patuck, the book is designed for children aged six to eleven years old.

The IASC, a forum consisting of more than 50 humanitarian non-profit organizations, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), acts as a global reference group and psychological support in emergency settings, including in the current global pandemic.

'My Hero is You' is a collaborative effort between the forum’s members with over 1,700 parents, caregivers, teachers and children in 104 countries. The IASC distributed a global survey to accurately identify the mental and psychological needs of children during the coronavirus pandemic.

“A big thank you to the children, their parents, caregivers and teachers for completing our surveys and influencing this story. This is a story developed for and by children around the world,” read the official IASC website, on Thursday, April 9, 2020.

Based on the survey results, the IASC constructed a list of emotional conflicts that needs to be attended to, within the book. As a result, the story follows a cast of children learning on how to be 'heroes' by protecting themselves and their immediate surroundings from the pandemic. 

With the aid of fictional character 'Ario', the book aims to signify the importance of washing hands, and keeping physical distance in preventing COVID-19 transmission; while also making sure the book remains inclusive and relatable to children all over the world.

On top of that, the book also aims to tackle the possible emotional issues children might feel as a result of the global outbreak. Presenting emotions such as loneliness, and fear; the book’s theme revolves around the message of emotional endurance through these trying times.

“All over the world, children's lives have been completely upended. 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,” said UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, as quoted from the WHO official website, on Thursday, April 9, 2020.

In order to ensure that the book can convey its messages to children all over the world, the IASC has made 'My Hero is You' available for free online, in nine different languages, including English, Bahasa Malay, French and Arabic. The book is accessible through the IASC official web page on the 'My Hero is You' book. 

DIO SUHENDA | IASC | WHO