“Sesame Street” is set to debut a new show in Arabic aimed at aiding refugee children in their educational journey. The world today faces an unprecedented number of refugees, many of whom are children forced to flee their homes due to conflict. Currently, nearly half of the global refugee population comprises kids, and they often spend years—nearly two decades on average—living in camps that lack basic educational resources.
Partnership for Change
To address this pressing issue, Sesame Workshop has partnered with the International Rescue Committee. With an impressive grant of $100 million, their initiative aims to provide essential early childhood education to these children while helping them navigate the trauma that often accompanies such upheaval. The plan is twofold: the organizations will deliver in-person educational services to over a million refugee kids and also create a brand new Arabic-language Sesame Street show for more than 8 million children in refugee camps.
Production and Characters
Production of this new series has already commenced in Jordan, a significant destination for many Syrian refugees. The show features a purple Muppet named Basma who befriends another Muppet, Jad, who has recently relocated to her neighborhood. Although it’s never outright stated that Jad is a refugee, his character hints at this through various clues, such as being voiced by a Syrian actor and expressing the sadness of leaving his toys behind.
A Different Approach to Education
This version of Sesame Street takes a different approach than the one many are familiar with. Beyond teaching letters and numbers, it focuses on helping children cope with challenging emotions like fear, sadness, and loneliness. The goal is to provide a safe space for kids to receive some of the education they’re missing while also developing the emotional tools necessary to handle the difficult realities of their lives. This program is anticipated to span five years, with aspirations to extend its reach to other regions like Bangladesh and Uganda.
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Conclusion
In summary, Sesame Street’s new Arabic series aims to support refugee children not only through education but also by helping them manage the emotional challenges they face. With substantial backing and a thoughtful approach, this initiative hopes to make a lasting impact on the lives of millions of kids in need.