IBBY-Yamada 2024: Malaysia

IBBY-Yamada 2024: Malaysia
Bibliotherapy for Undocumented Children in East Malaysia: A Training for Trainers

Building on its 2022 initiative, IBBY Malaysia expanded its bibliotherapy efforts in 2024 with a dedicated training programme for teachers and volunteers working with undocumented and stateless children in Sabah, East Malaysia, home to the country’s highest stateless population. The project addressed the urgent need for emotional and psychological support through literature, particularly for children excluded from formal education systems.

Two intensive workshops were held in Tawau and Kota Kinabalu, attracting 58 participants from several educational and community organizations, including the Sabah State Library, ABIM, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and others. Led by expert facilitators, the sessions introduced participants to the principles and techniques of bibliotherapy, including book selection, emotional engagement strategies, and discussion facilitation.

Through role-playing, peer feedback, and practical application, participants gained tools to create safe, inclusive literary spaces that foster resilience and self-expression among vulnerable children. The training also emphasized sustainability, encouraging participants to establish peer support networks and resource-sharing platforms for continued learning.

The project generated significant interest across institutions. Following the workshops, the Sabah State Library began plans to develop a specialized collection of bibliotherapy materials, while ABIM proposed expanding training to kindergarten teachers throughout the region.

This initiative not only equipped educators to meet the needs of undocumented children but also catalyzed a broader movement to integrate bibliotherapy into Malaysia’s educational and library systems as a powerful tool for healing and social inclusion.