Not-for-profit Sesame Workshop has paired up with the International Rescue Committee to create an Arabic Sesame Street show designed specifically to help Syrian refugee children cope with their past trauma.
Ahlan Simsim, or "Welcome Sesame" will focus on educating Syrian children living in refugee camps.
There are an estimated 12 million displaced people as a result of the conflict in Syria. World Vision estimates that over 70 000 children have fled Syria in the last month alone, since Turkish military operations commenced in early October.
Ahlan Simsim will help refugee children gain literacy and math skills, as well as social and emotional skills. But it’s not just about learning to count or the alphabet. The show will also teach children coping strategies like counting to five.
Syrian Cousins meet Tonton, a character from Jordan's Hikayat Simsim show. Source: Tara Todras-Whitehill/IRC
Executive Producer Scott Cameron said these strategies are important, as they help children cope with their traumatic experiences and develop skills for the future."
“We know from research that these ‘emotional ABCs’ are especially important for kids who’ve experienced the trauma of war and displacement, as is the case for so many children in the Syrian response region,” Mr Cameron said.
Less than two per cent of humanitarian appeals go to education, despite half of the world's refugee population being children.
Syrian boy with Muppet Source: Sesame Street Twitter
The show was produced locally, with assistance from regional experts who identified the most important and culturally relevant skills the show should teach children.
Ahlan Simsim will feature three new Muppets; Basma a young Muppet girl who loves to make music. Jad, Basma’s best friend, who loves to express himself through art. And Ma’zooza, a goat who follows the two wherever they go. But it will also feature Sesame Street favourites, like Cookie Monster and Elmo.
The first season of Ahlan Simsim will air in February 2020.
