U.S. Ambassador Marcia Bernicat and USAID Mission Director Janina Jaruzelski officially launched the new season of popular children’s television show, Sisimpur – the Bangladesh version of Sesame Street – during a live television broadcast on local station RTV. In her remarks, Ambassador Bernicat emphasized the importance of teaching young children basic skills such as numbers and the alphabet, and lauded Sisimpur for doing this in an interactive way to make learning fun. She also thanked Sesame Workshop, RTV and the Government of Bangladesh for working with USAID to bring Sisimpur to an estimated 12 million Bangladeshi children each week.

Minister of Women’s and Children’s Affairs Begum Meher Afroze Chumki and Minister of Information Hasanul Haq Inu were also in attendance and expressed their gratitude to Sisimpur for their contribution to children’s education. Shari Rosenfeld, Vice President of International Projects at Sesame Workshop USA, traveled from New York to be at the event, where she renewed Sisimpur’s vision to make learning fun – and effective – in Bangladesh.

Season nine of Sisimpur will feature 60 episodes to be broadcast weekly. This season will also focus on themes related to USAID development objectives in improving health, hygiene, disaster preparation, climate change awareness, water and pesticide safety, as well as democratic values and practices – all to help enhance essential life skills for Bangladeshi children. In addition, this new season will introduce three new Muppets to the show: Khepu, a “grouch,” Raya, a six-year-old girl who promotes good hygiene, and popular Sesame Street character Elmo.