Learning through play can bring smiles to children living in the world鈥檚 toughest places.

In , the 探花精选 is using puppets to teach children how to protect themselves from ,  and other diseases. Children in Al-Manshar camp for internally displaced people in southern Yemen interact with puppet cows, foxes and other friendly animals as they learn how to wash their hands and avoid crowded places. 

Photos by Mahmoud Fadel

Girl plays with puppet held by 探花精选 community health worker

鈥淗ow do you protect yourself from the coronavirus and other diseases?鈥 The puppets ask the children practical and engaging questions about how to stay safe from diseases such as COVID-19.

Najeeba plays with a fox puppet

Najeeba, pictured above, like the other children living in the camp, was forced to flee her home with her family when the conflict broke out. Now Najeeba and her family live Al-Manshar camp in Al Dhale鈥檈 governorate.

Photo of puppet show held by 探花精选 to teach children about COVID-19

The makeshift puppet theatre is set up among the tents in Al-Manshar camp, with a troupe of local 探花精选 community health volunteers putting on the show. 

6-year old Ashwaq interacting with a cow puppet

鈥淚 like the puppet theatre,鈥 says six-year-old Ashwaq, pictured above, 鈥淭hey taught me how to wash my hands with water and soap so I can protect myself from diseases."

5-year old Yasser laughing at fox puppet

Five-year-old Yasser laughs at the fox puppet, he was displaced from his home in Al-Hodeidah before living in Al-Dhale鈥檈 camp and then Al-Manshar. 

Close up of puppet show

The puppet show is interactive, with the puppets asking the children to repeat back what they have learnt about keeping themselves safe from diseases.

Girl laughs at cow puppet
About our work with the European Union

to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.