Muppets of Sesame Street gettyAt the recent International Rescue Committee (IRC) Annual Dinner, the most impressive part of the evening was a report on an innovative early childhood intervention program organized by the IRC and Sesame Workshop in the Middle East, a region torn by conflict and war. Sesame Workshop has worked for over 50 years at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts. Funded primarily by the MacArthur Foundation, the IRC and Sesame are assisting children impacted by conflict and displacement across the Middle East and North Africa in 15 countries including Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. Ahlan Simsim teaches children to manage their feelings by practicing concrete strategies such as counting to five, belly breathing, and expression through art. The program was also designed to meet children’s literacy and numeracy needs while many schools and early childhood programs were interrupted.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 12, 2023 16:12 UTC