Wan Smolbag Theatre

Wan Smolbag Theatre
Founded1989
TypeCommunity Theatre and Development Organisation
FocusAwareness, engagement and education in issues of health, governance, gender and politics
Location
Area served
South Pacific
Employees
approx. 150
Volunteers
approx. 400
Websitewww.wansmolbag.org

Wan Smolbag Theatre (Bislama for "one small bag") is a non-government organisation based in Vanuatu, and operating all over the South Pacific. It is primarily a development theatre group aiming to create awareness and engagement with issues surrounding education, health, governance, the environment, youth and gender.

Wan Smolbag has expanded from a voluntary theatre group to include a reproductive health clinic, a youth centre, a conservation network and a sports centre. It is core funded by Oxfam, Australian Aid and the New Zealand Agency for International Development. It produces materials such as a television show, DVDs, booklets and posters for education and training in communities, NGOs, schools and government departments throughout the South Pacific and the world.[1][2][3][4][5]

Wan Smolbag has over 140 full-time and part-time staff: actors, director, scriptwriter, finance and administrative staff, graphic artists, nurses, peer educators, youth workers, film and radio technicians, and managers. It is based at converted warehouses in Tagabe, Port Vila, and also has a youth centre on the island of Pentecost, and a reproductive health clinic and youth centre in Luganville, Santo. it has two associate theatre groups on the outer islands: Haulua Theatre based on Pentecost and Wuhuran Theatre based on Ambrym. It also has a network of over 400 volunteer turtle conservation monitors (Vanua-tai monitors) based on islands throughout Vanuatu.

  1. ^ "Sexual and reproductive health". Oxfam. 8 August 2011.
  2. ^ "Oxfam New Zealand in the Pacific: Outline of Programmes and Plans".
  3. ^ "Television can be good for your health". Oxfam. 28 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Love Patrol breaks down barriers in the Pacific". ABC News. ABC. 24 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Improving community safety and resilience in Vanuatu". DFAT.