Save the Children
“Healthy Initiative through Play” (HIP) extracurricular program for schoolchildren. The project promotes the use of theater in independent decision making for healthy choices, tolerance and positive behavior amongst 
schoolchildren.
HIP Phase I (September 2009 - September 2010) included puppet actors’ performances at five pilot schools in Baku, Sumqayit, Qaradaq and Shuvalan. To strengthen the impact of the program, the performances were complimented by a series of teacher trainings on interactive teaching methodology for the pilot schools and state boarding institutions in Baku. In April 2010, Bakcell and Save the Children held a children’s event in the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall, which was followed by a SMS Campaign to contribute to the expansion of the project. By simply replying to the short message that was sent from short code 1155, each Bakcell subsriber could donate 1 AZN towards the campaign that raised 55,000 AZN.
HIP Phase II (October 2010) - Based on the success of the HIP I and the positive feedback collected from the program participants, their parents and teachers, Save the Children and Bakcell continued the Program, extending the geographic area to rural Azerbaijani schools. Keeping tolerance, cooperation, healthy lifestyles, problem solving, effective communication, active citizenship, child participation, independent decision-making and life skills as the central themes of the performances, SC puppet actors’ travel to 20 districts of Azerbaijan (Quba, Qusar, Khachmaz, Khudat, Deveci, Shamakhi, Ismailli, Qebele, Aghsu, Goychay, Sheki, Oghuz, Qax, Zaqatala, Balakan, Gence, Samukh, Goy-gol, Mingachevir, Yevlakh) to stage their enlightening plays for children and then work with the selected group of teachers at these schools for them to create educational plays performed by children themselves.
Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organization working to defend the rights and improve the lives of children in over 120 countries. Save the Children’s multi-sector programs, including education, child protection, health & nutrition, economic opportunities and relief that have positively impacted on lives of over 1 million children and their parents in Azerbaijan since 1993.
