John,
Do you remember the wonder and curiosity you felt while watching "Sesame Street" when you were a kid?
Thanks to Ahlan Simsim ("Welcome Sesame" in Arabic) — a partnership between the IRC and Sesame Workshop — millions of refugee children in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq are able to experience that same joy of learning alongside Muppets.
Combining the IRC's critical early childhood services with a newly created Arabic-language version of the TV show "Sesame Street," Ahlan Simsim provides a lifeline for children affected by the Syrian war — healing emotional and psychological wounds caused by years of trauma that prevent healthy development with long lasting negative impact. The innovative childhood development program has been especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While in-person programs have been put on hold for safety concerns, IRC staff have adapted to use digital tools to reach children and their families directly in their homes. In coordination with Sesame Workshop, we're providing remote learning opportunities through phone calls, WhatsApp messaging, online videos and resources for caregivers.
Our goal has been to equip parents with the tools they need to create a nurturing home learning environment that fosters their children's resilience during times of crisis. We also provide caregivers with tools to help them manage their own stress.
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Of course, the Muppets themselves have also played a very important role!
The Ahlan Simsim TV show features Muppets with stories and experiences refugee children can relate to: Jad, who had to leave his home; Basma, who befriends the newcomer; and Ma'zooza, a baby goat who follows Jad and Basma wherever they go.
These characters and the animation from the show have been at the center of our digital resources for children during the pandemic. The young children we serve have been eager to engage with the Muppets in age-specific activities that focus on language skills, hygiene, social-emotional learning, and physical movement.
John, I hope you can take a few minutes today to learn more about Ahlan Simsim and our impact together — through COVID-19 and beyond — to help a generation at risk to learn, grow, and thrive.
On that same web page, you can also find a link to watch "Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days," which includes a special look at Ahlan Simsim with IRC president and CEO David Miliband.
John: I thought this could be a nice feature for you to watch with your family and any young ones who might be interested!
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Thank you so much for supporting young refugees and their families around the world.
Andrea Kost
International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee | Rescue.org
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