The Puppet Has a Cough

Utilising drama, music, video, and other techniques, the puppeteers in this project perform for and work with students to pass on information about preventing HIV/AIDS and caring for people with HIV/AIDS. Through the performances, the puppets teach students how important it is to break down the social stigma of HIV/AIDS, emphasising that everyone in the community has a role to play in combating the epidemic.

"The patient puppet has a cough. The doctor puppet quickly finds out that there's a lot more to it than a plain old cough. The dialogue between the two touches on all the issues related to HIV /AIDS. Soon, a lively questions and answers session is under way, with a very inter-active audience."

The puppeteers on the project say the personality of the puppets is important for the interaction with the audience. A lion takes on the role of the devastating virus that attacks the human immune system. On the other hand, the gentle zebra is the wise one, who takes a positive outlook and gives useful advice.

HIV/AIDS.