There are now 16 million African children who have lost at least one parent to AIDS, the [U.S. Agency for International Development] says in its report, "Children on the Brink 2000." In the next 10 years, that number is expected to reach 28 million.
Some 90 percent of those children live in sub-Saharan Africa, but a generation of orphans is growing throughout the developing world.
By 2010, authorities estimate that one in three children in Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and South Africa will have lost a parent to AIDS. And most of those born with AIDS will die before they are 5 years old.
That's why they're using a puppet aimed at kids - many of the victims are kids.
The purpose of the puppet is to inform the kids that they do not need to shun those with AIDS.
South Africa needs to do more to solve their AIDS problem. In the meantime, medications are refused and prevention doesn't seem to be working.
It's a stupid, feel-good, do nothing excercise.
The Sesame Street people in Africa are free to do it, if it makes them feel good. I'm free to make fun of their creation.
And you're free to pat yourself on the back, imploring people to show more compassion for an puppet who is sick.