AMMAN, Jordan, Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Informal
learning and psycho-social support programmes will soon be a lot
more fun and colorful for all vulnerable children, including Syrian
refugee children in Makani centres across Jordan.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160203/329413
A new partnership between UNICEF, Big Bad Boo and The Education
Diversity Foundation will help Makani centres access a series of
illustrated comics books, animated films, children's activity books
and reader's instructional guides.
"My wife and I started Big Bad Boo to develop products that make
kids smile while teaching inclusion, diversity and global
mindedness. We're very happy about our partnership with UNICEF and
thrilled that our products can be used to make refugee children in
Jordan enjoy some much needed
laughter," said the CEO of Big Bad Boo, Aly
Jetha.
Big Bad Boo is a Canadian animation company that created the
internationally renowned animated television series '1001 Nights'.
The show currently airs in 80 countries in 15 languages on networks
including Disney, Cartoon Network, PBS, CBC SRC, Teletoon and Al
Jazeera Children's Channel. 1001 Nights brings the tales of the
famed 1001 Arabian Nights as told by Shahrzad, including the famous
stories of Sinbad, Aladdin and Ali
Baba in the form of animation, comic books to modern
audiences. The property also has associated school curricula and
teacher guides.
"The Education and Diversity Foundation is proud to sponsor this
initiative with Big Bad Boo and UNICEF. There are hundreds and
thousands of people that need the relief and hope that edutainment
provides, like the children affected by the current crisis in
Iraq and Syria," said Gary
Fowler, the Managing Director of The Education and Diversity
Foundation. The Education and Diversity Foundation, a US based
not-for-profit organization that supports projects that teach
tolerance, diversity, understanding and equality.
According to Fowler, Big Bad Boo will be providing 500,000
illustrated comic books, 50,000 student activity books, and 5,000
teaching guides for Makani centers to support language learning and
heal some of the psychosocial challenges the children face. These
books and materials are to be used in conjunction with 1001 Nights
animated episodes that will also be provided. Over the last week,
Jetha, Big Bad Boo's CEO, has been visiting Makani centers in
refugee camps and host communities throughout Jordan to introduce 1001 Nights.
"Only through learning can the children of Syria reach their full potential and play a
positive and active role in rebuilding their country when peace
returns," said the UNICEF Representative Robert Jenkins. "UNICEF is very grateful to Big
Bad Boo and The Education Diversity Foundation for this exciting
partnership, as children learn best when they are having fun."
UNICEF launched the 'Makani' (My
Space in Arabic) initiative in 2015, in partnership with
civil society organizations.
Supported by the Government of Netherlands and several other donors, there
are currently over 150 Makani centres providing Syrian refugee
children and other excluded vulnerable children in Jordan with informal learning, life skills
training and psychosocial support services under one roof.
Media Contact: Mona Vafa,
Big Bad Boo Studios, +1(212) 960-8980, mona@bigbadboo.ca
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SOURCE Big Bad Boo Studios