No Strings
The idea of using puppets as a tool for teaching life-saving messages came to Johnie McGlade many years ago during his work as an emergency aid coordinator at a feeding camp in Sudan, when an old puppet he owned would draw crowds of excited children out of nowhere.
Puppets, he discovered, held a kind of magic. They were funny, unthreatening, and people hung on to their every word. They were, in short, an ideal medium through which to present vital safety messages to people whose lives had been torn apart by conflict or disaster.
Many of us in the West understand the appeal of puppets, having grown up with shows like The Muppets, Fraggle Rock and Sesame Street. It just so happened that back in 2003, Johnie stumbled into the path of two of the original core team on these shows, Kathy Mullen and Michael Frith, and between them the concept of No Strings was born.
Working together, Johnie, Kathy and Michael created a formula using beautifully-made, culturally sensitive puppets and sets, humour and adventure to put across key messages that could save a child's life.
In Afghanistan, our main project is a landmine-awareness film called ChucheQhalin, The Story of the Little Carpet Boy. Through a gripping adventure story and cast of much-loved characters, the film aims to help children understand the everyday dangers that the country's millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance pose, and how to keep safe.
No Strings now enjoys the additional input and support of some of the world's leading puppeteers. Films are made to the highest professional standards, and locally-based facilitators are trained up by partner organisations to ensure that children understand their full educational content through follow-on question and answer sessions.
No Strings' new programme in Indonesia uses four puppet-based films to teach children how to prepare for and remain safe during earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and floods and mudslides. At the same time, we have created a unique peace advocacy film.
In Indonesia, local staff have been given hand puppets similar to the characters in the films, and training workshops by our New York Creative Team in how to bring them to life. This is all a major component of the Q&A and feedback sessions.
A central element of all our films is that the puppets are easily identifiable within individual countries, culturally sensitive, and based on local folklore, animal life and traditions. Once the films are dubbed and handed to our local partners to be distributed around schools and the wider community, they feel very much a home-produced part of its culture.
Biographies - Johnie, Kathy, Michael
Johnie McGlade. Founder of No Strings, Irish-born Johnie has a background of 14 years in aid around the world as emergency coordinator and field director, working first for the Irish aid organisation GOAL and then War Child in countries such as Angola, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Kosovo, and East Timor. He set up No Strings after realising the potential of puppets, having used them on many occasions at feeding camps, etc, to get out essential messages in ways that were often lost or ignored through more usual processes.
Kathy Mullen co-founder is a puppeteer with a vast range of experience, including Principal Performer with The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock, and with major credits in Sesame Street and the Muppet Movie series. Kathy has worked with children and puppets for decades, and writes all the No Strings scripts. She also takes the lead role in building our puppets, and directing and producing the films with Michael and the rest of the creative team.
Michael Frith. Co founder Former Executive Vice President of Jim Henson Productions and Director of Creative Services, Michael has played a pivotal role in the creation of The Muppet Show, five Muppet movies, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and many other productions. Michael draws and designs the puppets, and works alongside Kathy in the film production process.
Masaud: A Landmine Victim's Story
Masaud is a 12-year-old Afghan boy who was born and lives in Kabul, Afghanistan. His accident happened in October 2004
"My name is Masaud, and I am 12. In my country, children everywhere love to fly kites. I used to love it, too, but two years ago, I was out playing and as I was jumping up to catch my kite, I stepped on a landmine buried in the road. The explosion took off my left leg, from just below the hip. It happened right in the centre of Kabul, only 100 metres from the Presidential Palace. It shows that there are landmines everywhere in Afghanistan. My other leg was injured. I still have to wear bandages, but it's ok.
After my accident, I had to spend a whole year in hospital. I think the happiest day of my life was when they gave me my artificial leg. It means that I can walk the same as other children, with just a slight limp.
At school, I'm in the 8th class. I love school. I like reading and writing, and I love football even though now I can only watch it. I also love watching TV, although I don't like action movies. I like normal, Afghan TV.
The first thing I would say about the Chuchi film is that I wish I'd seen it two years ago, before my accident. The next thing is that it would be wonderful if all the children in Afghanistan could see it. I think its message is very clear and easy to understand. It's also fun to watch. Now that I've seen it, I know not to touch things as they may be dangerous, and I know how to look out for danger signs. I've also learnt to listen to what people are saying all the time.
My favourite character is Jaladul, the camel. I also like the djins, who are the baddies, but they're also funny. Their lesson is that we shouldn't listen to older boys, for example, who might encourage us to play in dangerous places."