Geedka Mooska
Preparing Somali-Speaking Children for Life-Long Learning
Location: Somalia
Host: World Vision
Developer: Poet Nation Media
Funding Secured: $35,000
Funding Needed: $120,532
Website: www.geedkamooska.com
Geedka Mooska is an educational program for Somalispeaking children that uses edu-tainment to make learning fun.
The Challenge
After 30 years of conflict, stability is starting to return to the Somali-speaking regions across the Horn of Africa. Educational development is becoming a priority for local actors, though educational media content geared for Somali-speaking children aged 4-7 years old remains limited. Educational frameworks are starting to be developed but still there is a gap in delivering them to classrooms throughout the region. Programs are not delivered due to a lack of expertise in education ministries and implementing NGOs that are unable to produce educational media content in a cost-effective manner.
The Solution
As mobile digital devices become more widespread and learning platforms grow in Somali-speaking regions, there is an opportunity to reach children with educational media content that is effective, culturally adaptable, and prepares them for school. Research shows that a small educational investment in a child’s early years will generate exponential benefits later in life. Besides academics, there is also an opportunity to incorporate other messaging in themes such as health, social, peace, and personal identity that can be woven into the stories and lessons in a way that children will receive. As the COVID-19 pandemic began, Poet Nation Media was able to quickly modify several public health videos from a pilot project geared for children to address how to be safe from the virus which was well received. Building on this success, a set of superhero puppet characters called Hiddo & Hirsi is created who seek to protect their neighborhood from various types of dangers, including COVID-19. In a set of 6 videos, each 7-10 minutes long, the Protector Twins teach children how to be safe from the virus as well as how to keep their minds active while being away from school and give strategies of how to cope with common difficulties during this period. These videos were primarily funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from Australia and the GlobalGiving Foundation.
Impact
These educational videos are the first of their kind of Somali-speaking children. This series is relevant to the current crisis as many mental health issues arose during this period of low school attendance. The COVID-19 pandemic created many disruptions in the region, which Geedka Mooska seeks to address. All of these videos were approved by the Ministry of Health in Somalia. On social media, these videos were reposted by many partners including the Minister of Health in Somalia, USAID, a variety of UN agencies, and the NGO partners involved.
Results
The 8 main videos and the several shorter spin-off videos were well received on social media, receiving over 300,000 views, thousands of shares, and many positive comments. This series of videos also played regularly on Somali television in the Somali-speaking regions and in Kenya. These videos have also been contextualized and adapted for the crisis in Yemen. This series was also nominated for Best Animation by the Kalasha International TV and Film Awards in Kenya.
Next Steps
Poet Nation Media is seeking to create several longer full episodes of Geedka Mooska that incorporate our superhero characters Hiddo & Hirsi for release on Somali television and on other platforms. Besides public health messaging, the focus is on academic themes and aligns our episodes with various elements found in the Somali national curriculum
Contact Us
To learn more about this innovation, please email us.
Additional Resources
Click to read about the Hiddo & Hirsi series in Somalia and Yemen.