1st HIV Positive Muppet

@IvySaysHi (4467)
United States
May 8, 2016 5:06pm CST
I was watching TV when I saw that Sesame Street has an HIV positive muppet. I never knew that there was an HIV positive muppet before. The character's name is Kami and she first appeared on the South African Sesame Street show. I assume she taught people about HIV and what it is like to live with it. The muppet still goes to Sesame Workshop Benefits and galas. I will leave a link so you can see what events she has gone to. Did you know about Kami? Are you surprised to know about her?
Kami is a monster from Takalani Sesame, the South African co-production of Sesame Street. She made international news in September 2002 when she was introduced as the world's first HIV-positive Muppet. Kami has made appearances at UNICEF events (where she
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9 responses
NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (116270)
• United States
8 May 16
I've never heard of such a thing. I don't think it is really appropriate for a children's show.
1 person likes this
Ivelisse Cruz
@IvySaysHi (4467)
• United States
8 May 16
Well I think, and i mean this in the least offensive way possible, that because it would not be very surprising to find a child with HIV in South Africa that the character would be beneficial in teaching children and adults about it and how to deal with it in a rational way
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ShannyBananny
@shaggin (71678)
• United States
9 May 16
@IvySaysHi HIV is terribly common in Africa. I think that especially there it would be wonderful for a character to have it. I think it may help educate them and make them feel less embarrassed or alone. Children are born with HIV it isn't that they did anything inappropriate to cause it that should be hushed up.
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UpbeatRae
@carebear29 (31962)
• Wausau, Wisconsin
9 May 16
Very interesting. Its nice to have little things like this.
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Kevin
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
8 May 16
No, I didn't know there was one.
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angel_smiles
@Lolaze (5093)
• St. Louis, Missouri
8 May 16
I heard about her awhile ago. I was a little surprised to find out the muppets were doing this. I wish they'd do some for more diseases. I do think they have an autism muppet.
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Mary Guice
@Elizaby (6901)
• Pensacola, Florida
8 May 16
It doesn't surprise me as they have introduce characters over the years with different problems
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Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99421)
• Atlanta, Georgia
9 May 16
No, I didn't know about Kami, but I think it's a great way to spread the word about HIV.
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AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
8 May 16
I think I had heard of her before but I don't think she was on the show when I was watching it as a child. It would have been the late 80's early 90's for me.
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Margaret Mwangi
@Missmwngi (12926)
• Nairobi, Kenya
8 May 16
I did not know,I will be checking that
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Katelynn Letinich
@CrazyAnimaLady (279)
• United States
8 May 16
I didn't know, but it's sort of awesome and amazing.
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