Shara’a Simsim Spreads Hope and Empowerment to Palestinian Children

Karim, Haneen (Shara'a Simsim)

According to UNICEF research, children in nearly one third of Palestinian families were experiencing anxiety, phobia, or depression as of June 2007. This statistic, coupled with the fact that many Palestinian children are experiencing poor nutrition and health due to poverty and low-quality food, makes it all too clear that it is not an easy time to be a Palestinian child. When Sesame Workshop decided to create a locally produced version of Sesame Street called Shara’a Simsim, it was with the express purpose of introducing some light and joy to a population needing a healthy dose of both.

Empowering boys through positive role models

“Giving children hope would be a major accomplishment,” Palestinian executive director Daoud Kuttab says, explaining that young Palestinian boys are especially in need of Shara’a Simsim’s positive messages. He explains that many boys experience cultural pressure to defend their families and society, becoming disheartened when they are unable to do so. The show presents positive role models for boys in this situation, suggesting activities and hobbies that provide healthy outlets for complicated emotions.

“We tried to give young boys some good role models in suggesting that our Muppet join the Boy Scouts, that he play sports, and that he has a hobby about airplanes,” Kuttab says.

Dr. Cairo Arafat, the program’s content advisor, conducted extensive research before suggesting that the program focused on boys’ needs.

“We want to show boys that they can enjoy life, share, and participate without having to prove that they are tough and without reverting to violence,” she explains.

The show also focuses on girls’ education, a theme most obvious in a vivacious five-year-old female Muppet named Haneen. She enjoys being in the limelight and has a positive attitude about what she can accomplish. Her refrain is “I can! I can!” and she often proves these words through her actions, sometimes dressing up as superhero “Super Haneen.”

Helping children develop sympathetic views toward others

Shara’a Simsim, which reaches young viewers across the West Bank and Gaza, does not contain and direct references to the region’s political situation. It does, however, include age-appropriate stories intended to help children develop tolerant and sympathetic attitudes toward other people.  

In one episode, the Shara’a Simsim Muppet Karim is upset when the character Abbas knocks over a tower of blocks he’s busy building. Karim’s teacher tells him to use his mind to solve his problem rather than getting angry and violent. When Abbas tries to knock his tower over again, Karim asks him to stop and enlists Abbas’s help in building the tower, saying, “If you want, we’ll build the tower together.” And the two do exactly that, accomplishing much more from teamwork than they could have achieved alone.

“We are trying hard to use our program to introduce general concepts of tolerance to the 'other' and the idea of sharing and respecting other peoples both who are from a different gender as well as those with handicaps,” Kuttab explains.

Another storyline shows the community working together to recover from a serious storm that has hit the neighborhood. Intended to teach children coping skills in the face of loss and destruction, the episode shows storeowner Salim gathering the neighborhood’s residents to help with the post-storm cleanup. When the street is finally clean, everyone gathers at the store and makes a banner to remind them of their cooperation and hard work in rebuilding. The story ends on a positive note: Not only have they succeeded in rebuilding their home, they have grown closer in the process.

Kuttab believes that through such simple and poignant storylines, children can see themselves in the situation and understand that they can effect positive change as the Shara’a Simsim cast members do.

“Hope comes in many forms,” Kuttab says. “We believe that giving the children positive, wholesome programs that speak with their dialect, reflect their own communities, and deal with issues they face daily will give them a smile -- and ultimately hope.”

Funding Partners
Al Habtoor Engineering
Al Hikma Pharmaceuticals
Ford Foundation
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Righteous Persons Foundation
UNESCO

Production Partners
Al Quds Institute for Modern Media

Broadcasters
Maan TV