Sesame Workshop India,the nonprofit organization behind Galli Galli Sim Sim and MetLife Foundation are teaming up to expand its nutrition and healthy habits educational outreach program targeted to children,parents,and educators. Galli Galli Sim Sim is a multimedia educational initiative that launched its television program in India in 2006 on three of Indias leading television channels: Cartoon Network,Pogo,and Doordarshan. The program facilitates young childrens basic as well as life skills,while celebrating Indias rich cultural diversity,in order to promote their overall learning,health,and development. In addition to basic education themes,the project aims to communicate important health messages and emphasizes that acquiring healthy habits (including safety and nutrition) early in life is as important to a child as learning early mathematics and reading skills. Through a USD $350,000 grant from MetLife Foundation to Sesame Workshop based in New York,Sesame Workshop India will make available special broadcast airings of 'Healthy Habits for Life' episodes covering topics such as hygiene,disease prevention,and nutrition; the development of one public service announcement; dedicated healthy habits content (including activities for children and tips for adults) on the Galli Galli Sim Sim website; and a mobile community viewing pilot,accompanied by educational materials,in Jaipur reaching 100,000 children and 33,000 caregivers. The on air content will begin rolling out this month. "We are thrilled to continue developing and distributing a wide-range of materials for children to learn about critical health issues in India, said Sashwati Banerjee,Executive Director of Sesame Workshop India. MetLife Foundation is committed to promoting the health and well-being of the next generation and encouraging parental involvement and family engagement from early childhood, said Dennis White,president and CEO of MetLife Foundation.
