Ahlan Simsim

MBC3, Rotana, Roya TV

Sesame Workshop, Jordan Pioneers

Ahlan Simsim, our Arabic version of Sesame Street reaches nearly 9 million children in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. In those countries, 1 in every 3 children were watching the show, putting it in the top 3 of children’s shows. And those who watch Ahlan Simsim are significantly stronger in recognizing and managing their emotions.

This episode features Ameera an 8-year-old girl green monster who is deeply inquisitive, loves science, and seizes every opportunity to crack a good joke. Ameera has a spinal cord injury, and she gets around using forearm crutches or her wheelchair.

The development of Ameera’s biography, personality, and physical design was guided by advisors who suggested to include a character who uses both a wheelchair and crutches because, many children displaced by conflict deal with physical disabilities, and some do not have access to wheelchairs but do have access to crutches.

Ameera continues Sesame Workshop’s long history of creating diverse characters who children around the world can relate to, and she calls attention to the over 12 million refugees and over 240 million children worldwide who live with a disability, while also modeling girls’ interest in STEM.