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How might we increase the availability of affordable learning tools & services for students in the developing world? Read the challenge brief

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Why:

Mobile service & creative arts approach.

Story-telling on Wheels

Mobile Puppet Theatre teaches crafts and storytelling while highlighting social issues.
A proposed puppet van which circulates schools and collaborates with local teachers to provide classes on puppet-making, discussion of social issues, story-telling based on those issues and performance of resulting stories. Given our topic is focused on learning English, the performances would follow suit – perhaps with translation if shown to the wider community.


The van exterior could be brightly painted, with some sections in blackboard paint so that kids can advertise their own shows. Materials to be stored inside the van while in transit. Students could be encouraged to draw out story boards and character summaries as part of planning their show, alongside making the puppets.


Inspired by various mobile enterprises in India: http://bit.ly/cd6PeZ Perhaps for more dispersed locations a motorised version could be devised – based on an Indian jugaad: http://bit.ly/aHtlfa



Photo sources: http://bit.ly/cQRQjH + http://bit.ly/dfbhVa + http://bit.ly/buaqLC

Cost

Supply cheap materials rather than finished products. Puppet-making materials are not costly. Could utilise locally provided used-paper for paper-mâché puppets. Relatively low-cost distribution. Open to ideas on a finance model. Possibly could be linked to Puppet Centers in larger cities which hold paid workshops + performances for children from more affluent families. The centers could also act as a training ground for prospective van operators.

Distribution & Delivery

On wheels. Easy to access dense locations.

Local Need. Enterprising Schools has identified key areas of need for Affordable Private Schools. What local learning need(s) does this concept address?

Adoption

Expected that the theatrical nature of a puppet stage on wheels would effectively engage youth. A sample show would be staged as an introduction – preceding children's participation. Sample story boards and character summaries could help local teachers to collaborate with the van operator + children.

Who would implement this?

  1. A local entrepreneur or small organization
  2. NGOs and Foundations

Evaluation Results

1

What sort of potential do you think this concept has to be a sustainable business?

Very high potential
it's good but it needs a lot of work before going much further
it's got too many open questions right now to say either way
2

How well do you feel it meets the local needs enterprising schools has identified? (English language, Math, Libraries, Technology, Professional Development)

It fulfills really well on the need its chosen to serve
It will help, but other solutions might serve the needs better
It doesn’t really address any of the needs that Enterprising Schools identified.
3

How well does this concept meet the needs of extreme affordability?

Really well. There are likely ways we can make this concept low cost.
Fairly well. It has good potential for an affordable cost, but more work would need to be done here.
Unsure. I can't yet see the ways it could be made to be low cost, but maybe it's possible.
Doubtful. I just don't believe this can be made low cost.

Comments

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Rob Close

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October 09, 2010, 05:37PM
I like how this could be the primary mechanism by which so many of the other great concepts can be delivered! Quite literally, a vehicle for change!
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Pablo F. Méndez

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September 29, 2010, 07:01PM
I love this concept. I would look for the sponsorization of The Jim Henson Company.
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Amanda R

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September 28, 2010, 03:05AM
This is a great concept Meena.
I've heard of many similar theater programs used to teach lessons about healhcare, social issues, moral lessons etc. I really like the idea of using puppets to make it more kid friendly too.
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Prashant Bhargava

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September 23, 2010, 09:26AM
Great way to entertain, engage, and educate!
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Jennifer Wolfe

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September 21, 2010, 06:08PM
I love that this idea turns us back towards something that is so simple and visual and tangible in storytelling. And I really like the spirit of "making" this inspires around educating our children. :) I remember watching puppet shows when I was young... fascinated by every detail about the puppets themselves. It taught me that making things that "tell stories" can satisfy & entertain others, and allow me to safely express my feelings & share my ideas without having to speak them aloud. (Aren't our avitars our "puppets" and our social media entries our performances? Come to think of it, my iPhone is a great "personal puppet".)

Sharing is so essential to building global connection & community... I can imagine these beautiful, unique puppets/performances created by local artisans eventually shared between towns/cities/countries to share modern day stories, borrowing on the Chinese puppet theater tours. Puppets from Detroit touring Mumbai, puppets from Kibera in the schools of Paris, etc.

I also think we should seek to solve any issue with ideas that are inherently beautiful and this one really is.
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Meena Kadri

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September 03, 2010, 10:27PM
Don't pay much attention to my quick scribble of the puppet van! The concept is more about the entire platform than the vehicle itself. I expect that the actual design of the vans could happen in collaboration with some of the many grassroots innovators in India who create mobile enterprises: http://bit.ly/cd6PeZ
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Meena's profile photo
A visual representation of the connections between this and other concepts.

Inspirations this built upon

Chalkboard Paint Thumbnail : Chalkboard Paint Mobile Library/Book Club Thumbnail : Mobile Library/Book Club Grassroots Comics Thumbnail : 4th Comic Education on Wheels Thumbnail : Education on Wheels
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