Sesame Street

What is it like for children in refugee camps? I imagine it must be confusing and difficult, especially if their families are separated.

Our Sesame Workshop and IRC teams just returned from Jordan last month. Spending time with refugee children and their parents and caregivers is at once heartbreaking and heartwarming. Many have experienced unimaginable loss – the loss of parents, siblings, and friends, and the loss of their homes and a feeling of safety. But, in the face of remarkable tragedy, all parents and caregivers simply want what’s best for their children – to give them the tools they need to thrive.

The international humanitarian system has failed to prioritize refugee children’s educational needs in a serious way – but Sesame Workshop and IRC are partnering to change that. By pairing IRC’s expertise and on the ground infrastructure serving refugee families – from health care workers and home visitations, to healing classrooms and child care centers – and Sesame’s proven ability to create engaging, educational content, we know we can bring children and families the support they need and deserve. 

Many refugee families don’t live in official refugee camps – in fact, most live in informal tented settlements or within host communities in surrounding countries. The mass media content Sesame Workshop is developing will also promote mutual respect and understanding, both within displaced communities and between refugees and the host communities in which most refugees live.

Elmo’s new friends in Jordan told Elmo that they had to leave their homes because it wasn’t safe for them to stay. And that made them really sad and sometimes scared. A lot of them don’t even get to go to school at all anymore. That would make Elmo really sad. Elmo tried to help his new friends feel better by being kind to them the way Elmo’s friends on Sesame Street are kind to him. And Elmo hopes his new friends get settled into new homes and schools soon!

What can I do to be an ally to refugees?

Here at Sesame Workshop, we see so much reason to have hope, and you should too. It’s easy to feel like the refugee crisis is a far-away problem, but we know from research that children suffering the effects of war who receive no assistance will face enormous long-term challenges that can affect not only their own long-term health and wellbeing, but also the economic prosperity and wellbeing of their communities – having a ripple effect on society as a whole. But children are incredibly resilient, and we know it’s possible to make a real and lasting difference in their lives if we can reach them early.

Sesame Workshop’s partnership with IRC is philanthropically funded and relies on people like you for support, something you can learn more about at www.sesameworkshop.org/refugees. There are other ways to be an ally as well. For example, you can send a message of support for a Syrian child through UNHCR here.

At Sesame, being an ally also means being a friend – something that Elmo and his fellow Sesame Street Muppets know a thing or two about!

That’s right, Miss Sherrie! Elmo knows a lot about friends because Elmo has all kinds of friends on Sesame Street. Elmo knows that Abby Cadabby and Big Bird and Alan and everyone else on Sesame Street are Elmo’s friends because they play games with him and have lots of fun with him, but mostly they are kind to Elmo. Like when Elmo is sad about something, Elmo’s friends always listen to Elmo and help him find ways to cheer up. When Elmo went on a trip with Miss Sherrie to Jordan and met new friends there, they were really kind, too, even though they were sad because they had to leave their homes because it wasn’t safe for them there anymore. So if “ally” means being a good friend, Elmo thinks the best way to be an “ally” to all the people like his new friends in Jordan is to be kind to them!

What can I do to learn more about refugees/the crisis?

Usually, when Elmo wants to learn more about something, he asks a grownup—like his teacher or his Mommy or Daddy for help. Elmo’s Daddy says that grownups and kids who can read learn a lot by reading the newspaper, and that reading is always a good way to learn. Another good way to learn is by listening. When Elmo went to Jordan, Elmo was a really good listener and that’s how Elmo learned a lot about what it’s like to be a refugee.

We also recently launched a new website to keep everyone posted on Sesame Workshop’s partnership with IRC, and our ongoing work to develop content for refugee children and families. Keep up with our work at www.sesameworkshop.org/refugees.