ACHIVA Addressing the Challenge of HIV and AIDS

Kidlington Puppets

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The "Kidlington puppets" were dreamt up by Kathryn Ellis but are now definitely a reality.

Returning from a visit to South Africa, Kathryn was pondering on ways to encourage more open discussion about HIV/AIDS - prevention, treatment, effects, .... She wondered whether using puppets might help get messages about AIDS to illiterate people. Inspired by a doll she had purchased on a previous African visit, she and a dedicated team of seamstresses mad an initial set of puppets, with the aim of sharing the idea with the Mothers' Union and others in Kidlington's link parish of All Saints, Montshiwa.

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In March 2007, Kathryn returned to South Africa, together with Eleanor Williamson, also from ACHIVA, and Revd Hilary Campbell, Team Vicar in Kidlington. They took with them the first family of puppets and were excited to see the idea in action in Montshiwa. The parishioners were enthusiastic, and immediately started to demonstrate how the dolls could be used in role play.

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And thanks to Advantage Africa puppets have also been on travels to Uganda.

Since then, the puppet family has continued to grow. With the help of TALC (Teaching Aids at Low Cost) a leaflet giving instructions on how to make and use them is also now available, see
www.talcuk.org/accessories/stop-and-think-an-educational-puppet-show.htm