HIV-positive Muppet to Be Featured in Nigeria’s ‘Sesame Street’
(CNN) — One of America’s best-loved children’s shows, which began life on a fictional New York street over 40 years ago, is about to land in Nigeria under the title of “Sesame Square” — bringing with it some distinctly West African twists. The show stars Kami, a girl muppet who is HIV-positive, has golden hair and a zest for adventure; and Kobi, an energetic, furry, blue muppet whose troublesome escapades help others learn from his mistakes. In a country with a population of over 150 million — where nearly half are under the age of 14 — the show will address some of the biggest challenges faced by young people in the region: AIDS, malaria, gender inequality, religious differences — as well as many positive aspects of Nigerian life. In the case of Zobi, this is characterized by an obsessive love of yams — a staple food in the Nigerian diet.
