Problem overview:

     Training and educational initiatives: In a village setting, a small theatre group can hold the entire population spellbound for hours. With only a few props, costumes, songs and dances, the complexities of environmental issues can be transformed into community concern. In Vanuatu, the Wan Smolbag Theatre has been a major help to a number of government initiatives.

Background in summary:

     Initiation of the Wan Smolbag theatre: We started in 1989 as a voluntary group when my partner, Jo Dorras and myself arrived from Zimbabwe. Basically it started as a group of friends who agreed to give community theatre a go. In 1990 the group expanded with some funding from Community Aid Abroad.

     Financially supported by donors: From 1994 onwards we have received core funding from DFID to act as a regional group, performing, making videos and training other theatre groups. The current project finishes in July 1999 and DFID will continue but at a reduced rate. We are currently negotiating with a range of donors to keep it at its present level.

     Focus areas of education: There are 3 separate focus areas or projects; good governance; health; and environment (this latter with WWF and EU hopefully!).

     Response from the public: Our sexually transmitted disease work knowledge surveys suggest that we are having a lasting effect on awareness of sexually transmitted diseases. Our latest sketches feature actors running around as sperms and sexually transmitted disease germs inside penises and vaginas and the fact that we have been able to perform these in rural areas suggests we are breaking down barriers.

Peer Review Committee Good practice rating: (1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score)
Sustainability		Efficiency
2	Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other.	2	Cost efficient.
3	Sustainable over time (not one-off)	Process
Adaptability		2	Participation of the community
2	Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?)	-	Participation of resource owners/users
2	Socio-cultural adaptability.	2	Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private)
2	Level of development adaptability.	-	Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments.
2	Style of government adaptability.	3	Ability to attract political interest/support
2	Degree of decentralization adaptability.	2	Procedures for feedback and review.
Comments on this example:      Training and educational initiatives: The Wan Smolbag theatre demonstrates how interesting environmental education could be when put into a play. Today, environmental education doesnt necessary have to be in a classroom atmosphere and available for the educated people only. From now on, even villagers are able to understand their surrounding environment through the information conveyed in a play. Sustainability of the project:   Adaptability of the project to other situations:      The advantageous characteristic of this example is, it is applicable to any country in the world, no matter the differences.       Local theatre groups have been highly successful in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea and can be extremely helpful. The success of the Vanuatu group is not lost on government officials and they consider Wan Solbag Theatre a vital part of their programmes. Process of decision making and implementation:   Cost efficiency: