What happens when you mix mosquito nets and an HIV-positive muppet with Sesame Street? Well, um, you get the Nigerian version of Sesame Street. It’s called Sesame Square.
The show stars Kami, a girl muppet who is HIV-positive, has golden hair and a zest for adventure; and Kobi, an energetic, furry, blue muppet whose troublesome escapades help others learn from his mistakes.
In a country with a population of over 150 million—where, according to the CIA World Factbook, nearly half are under the age of 14—the show will address some of the biggest challenges faced by young people in the region: AIDS, malaria, gender inequality, religious differences—as well as many positive aspects of Nigerian life. In the case of Zobi, this is characterized by an obsessive love of yams—a staple food in the Nigerian diet.
The U.S. Agency for International Development and President Obama’s Emergency Plan for AIDS relief gave Sesame Workshop, the non-profit backer of Sesame Street, a $3.3 million grant to fund the show for five years.
Read the rest of the CNN story here.
Please could some one help me get a copy of Sesame Square for my daughter? He dad is Nigerian Native and I would love to have this for her.
Hi Ebony,
About the Sesame Square T.V. Series, it is showing on the Nigerian premium Broadcasting Station; NTA, on Saturdays 9:30 am – 10:00am and Sundays 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm