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Ahlan Simsim, Welcome Sesame

WATCH: On April 26, 2021 ABC aired "Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days," which includes a special look at Ahlan Simsim, the ̽����ѡ's partnership with Sesame Workshop, with ̽����ѡ president and CEO David Miliband.

The ̽����ѡ and Sesame Workshop—the nonprofit, educational organization behind 'Sesame Street'—are working together to give millions of children in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq the support they need to learn, grow and thrive. We’re combining Sesame Street’s history of proven educational content with the ̽����ѡ’s decades of expertise in conflict zones to help these young refugees and their families cope with crisis and build a brighter future. 

The name of the program is Ahlan Simsim, meaning “Welcome Sesame” in Arabic. It not only reflects the welcoming, inclusive spirit of the program, but also our goals to restore hope and opportunity to a generation of children.

Here’s what our work together involves:

• Remote learning opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic delivered through phone calls, WhatsApp messaging, online videos, and resources for caregivers on how to implement activities in their homes
• Safe spaces for children to play and learn, including year-long preschool classes 
• Parenting sessions and other support for families, including home visiting programs 
• Activity guides for childcare providers 
• A new, local, Arabic-language version of 'Sesame Street'
• Partnerships with governments and local nonprofits to create lasting solutions for children
• Advocacy to ensure more children affected by conflict and crisis have access to quality early childhood development services

Our work continues to be critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. Driven by safety concerns, we’ve adapted to use phone calls and digital tools to reach children and their families directly in their homes. Together we equip parents with the tools they need to create a nurturing home learning environment that fosters children's resilience during times of crisis.

Learn more about Sesame Workshop and the ̽����ѡ.

Worldwide, children with disabilities are often the most marginalized and excluded group in early childhood development and early education programming—particularly in places experiencing conflict or crisis. Through our Ahlan Simsim program, the ̽����ѡ provides inclusive early child development programs for these critical early years that build a foundation for lifelong learning and growth.

We also train staff on disability inclusion, create accessible physical spaces, and provide activities and materials tailored to the abilities and needs of all children.

A bold solution

We are honored that the MacArthur Foundation selected this ̽����ѡ and Sesame Workshop program as the winner of its 100&Change competition, a one-time $100 million grant to "make measurable progress toward solving a significant problem of our time." The LEGO Foundation awarded an additional $100 million to Sesame Workshop, BRAC and the ̽����ѡ to bring the power of learning through play to children affected by the Syrian and Rohingya refugee crises.