Alam Simsim
This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2015) |
Alam Simsim | |
---|---|
عالم سمسم | |
Country of origin | Egypt |
Original language | Egyptian Arabic |
Production | |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Production companies | Al Karma Edutainment Sesame Workshop |
Original release | |
Release | August 2000 May 2017 | –
Alam Simsim (
Alam Simsim is Arabic for "Sesame World".The show, funded by the U.S. Government's
Production history
The show debuted in late 2000, and now has more than 240 episodes.[2][4][5]
Satellite broadcaster
Characters and location
The show is set in the imaginary Alam Simsim (Sesame World) neighborhood in Egypt, which looks like a greener version of Old Cairo. The neighborhood is centered on a small public square surrounded by a park. The public square includes a store owned by 'Am Girgas (a Coptic grocer)[7] and a carpenter's shop owned by 'Am Hussein, while the apartments above the stores are occupied by 'Am Hussein's family: his wife, 'Ama Kheireya, his teenage daughter Mona, and his young son Kareem. A nearby library is run by a young woman named Nabila.[8] The humans are referred to as 'Am and 'Ama, which are "Uncle" and "Aunt" in Egyptian Arabic. These titles denote familiarity common in Egyptian neighborhoods.[9]
The show also includes three main
Alam Simsim reuses sketches from other versions of Sesame Street, which are dubbed into
Guests
The show featured several real-life guests in their episodes. Laura Bush and Suzanne Mubarak appeared in a segment with Khokha, which was filmed in 2005.[14]
Messaging and impact
The show, in addition to teaching basic literacy and mathematics, also focuses on regional issues, including gender equality, girls' education, and health and hygiene. In addition, the program showcases Egyptian culture and communities, including Christian and Muslim celebrations.[15] In 2006 AlKarma Edutainment worked with Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs to create public service announcements featuring the Alam Simsim characters to raise awareness about avian influenza and how to avoid contracting it.[16]
Studies have found that children who watch the program do show improvement in literacy and math skills, and caregivers who watch the program show some modifications in their parenting styles.[3] Viewership is also correlated with gender-equitable views and with girls' interest in education and professional careers.[17][18] A 2013 study found that children's exposure to the program was significantly associated with learning.[19][20]
Reception
The show became very popular in Egypt after Suzanne Mubarak, Egypt's then-First Lady, became involved with the program in 2000.[2][15] 98% of Egyptian households were viewing the program by 2001.[2]
Outreach initiative
In December 2002 Sesame Workshop began an outreach initiative to further the show's educational impact.[2][21] This initiative was more geared toward parents and caregivers, and focused on health, hygiene, and nutrition.[21] Materials included flashcards, story booklets, and calendars.[21]
According to a 2004 study, the initiative had a substantial positive impact on caregivers, especially when it came to knowledge about hygiene and
References
- ^ a b "Impact Data - Alam Simsim Outreach Program". The Communication Initiative Network. 27 October 2005. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Alam Simsim". The Communication Initiative Network. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ a b DeMott, Rick (14 December 2006). "Sesame Street's Grows In The Middle East". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ Al Mahdy, Dina (2018-10-14). "Zeinab Mobarak's Writing Journey; Alam Simsim and Beyond". Women of Egypt Mag. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ "Sesame power for Egyptian girls". BBC News. 26 April 2000. Archived from the original on 2007-01-14. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b Guider, Elizabeth (2005-11-10). "Futura opens door to 'Sesame' in Arabic". Variety. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ "Arabic "Sesame Street" Inspires Girls Across Egypt". USAID. 2006-08-12. Archived from the original on 12 August 2006. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
- ^ "Open Sesame". Al-Ahram Weekly. 29 November 2001. Archived from the original on 17 March 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
- ^ a b "Future TV". Archived from the original on July 21, 2006. Retrieved August 13, 2006.
- ^ a b c Belz, Leigh (28 March 2000). "Sesame Street Beat Newsletter". Sesame Workshop. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2007.
- ^ "Meet Sesame Street's Global Cast of Characters". Smithsonian Magazine. 6 November 2009. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ "Middle East and North Africa | Sesame Workshop". www.sesameworkshop.org. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ "Co-Production Home - Egypt". Archived from the original on May 2, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2007.
- ^ "Laura Bush and Suzanne Mubarak appear as guests on the Egyptian children's television program "Alam Simsim" with the show's character Khokka at Studio Misr in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, May 23, 2005. White House photo by Krisanne Johnson". georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ a b "ABCNEWS.com : Arabic 'Sesame Street' Targets Girls". ABC News. 2000-11-02. Archived from the original on 2000-11-02. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
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- OCLC 1112424155.)
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - S2CID 43060003– via PubMed.
- ^ "Research with Egyptian Preschoolers Produces New Instrument for Program Exposure". Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs. 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ a b c d "Alam Simsim Outreach Program Impact Report". The Communication Initiative Network. 27 October 2005. Retrieved 2023-01-03.