CHILD

PROTECTION

Our two protection films are designed to help children and young people make better decisions that support wellbeing and reduce risk in the challenging circumstances they may live in.

The Wishing Ring tells the story of Annette, a young girl who is abused by relatives, but finds the courage to seek safety after confiding in a trusted adult. Meanwhile, Will This Be Your Life? introduces us to Daisy, a young girl smitten by an older man, and her magical way back from a rash decision.

After reflecting on these characters, participants work together to create their own stories, exploring familiar experiences from the safe, empathetic and non-judgemental distance that puppets allow, with all the surprises and insights this can bring.

Will This Be Your Life? was originally created for our HIV series but stands as a powerful protection piece in its own right.

THE WISHING RING: CLIP
Child Protection, Haiti

Annette lives with the constant dread of abuse and feels all alone in the world. Like so many children in Haiti, her parents, too poor to bring her up themselves, have sent her to the city in the hope of a better life. But Annette is kept out of school and her relatives mistreat her. In Annette’s eyes, she is the lowest of the low.

One day, a stranger arrives out of nowhere, and gives Annette a ring – a Wishing Ring. If she obeys its three rules, all her wishes will come true. In doing so, Annette finds friends, a trusted adult and support … before learning that the ring is in truth just an old piece of metal and the ‘magic’ for courage and change was inside her all along.

  • Annette lives with the threat of abuse from her relatives

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  • Restavek child in Port au Prince with simple sock puppets.

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  • The wishing ring gives Annette the confidence to find an adult she can trust.

WILL THIS BE YOUR LIFE? CLIP
Child Protection, Sub-Saharan Africa

Daisy falls for Clifford when he pulls up on his motorbike and offers her gifts and attention. Of course she does, she’s growing up, she’s being noticed … and Clifford is handsome! But what starts as romance soon becomes a story about pressure, pregnancy, HIV and abandonment. Because Daisy is a puppet, the story creates enough distance for audiences to engage more openly while discussing the choices, pressures and unfairness surrounding it. The film supports reflection on relationships, gender expectations, peer pressure and healthy decision-making.

FIND OUT MORE

OUR STORY‍ ‍
How an old puppet called Seamus led to an international creative collaboration

OUR PUPPETRY
Why puppets create space for difficult conversations and behaviour change

OUR FILMS‍ ‍
Developed with leading members of the original Muppet Show creative team

OUR TEAM
The artists, trainers, and trustees behind the work

OUR METHODOLOGY ‍
The No Strings Method: how film, puppetry and participation come together