Love = Responsibility

I'm always telling my boys how television rots the brain. Mostly they just ignore me but every once in a while will actually humour me: "Do you mean like your brain stops working, mum?" "EXACTLY!" I tell them.

It’s the age old dilemma of doing as I say rather than as I do because (I admit) I probably watch more TV than I need to. Though there is some real junk out there on the silver screen these days (Eastenders and Total Wipeout not included) every once in a while the networks come up with a real gem.

Welcome to Lagos on BBC Two is, in my opinion, is one such diamond in the rough (with emphasis on the word rough).

This programme focuses on the lives of people of the slums of Lagos and on the face of it, the inhabitants should be pitied. But on the contrary, they are rich in the ways of family, work ethic and get-up-and-go-go-go!

There are many lessons that one may take away from the BBC three-part series. For example, in the lesson on recycling we see how the discarded waste is trawled through and used in enterprising ways such as for creating landfills and profitable industry. Onto 'Determination 101' and we see how our protagonists work long, hard hours in extreme conditions (we're talking waste grounds and sewers here) in order to support their families. This syllabus in this school of life in Lagos including 'Citizenship', 'Home Economics' and my personal favourite, 'Every-Cloud-has-a-Silver-Lining'.

It's the kind of television I'm happy to watch with children as it raises interesting topics for thinking and discussing and learning. It simply reminds us of the basic values of family and the equation relating love and responsibility.

Tinga Tinga Tales

I just happened upon this new animated children's series on Cbeebies and now my kids and I are in awe and in love! Tinga Tinga Tales is funny, entertaining, colourful, vibrant and full of wonderful wisdom reminding us of the beauty of the African continent. The animal characters are all interesting and engaging - telling stories in the African 'How' and 'Why' interactive tradition. My three year old son usually dances along to the theme tune whilst my six year old daughter sings along with the chorus 'why, why, why, why, why'.
Another reason for my love affair which I hasten to add is rare when it comes to the children's programmes most channels have to offer, is that the production company behind Tinga Tinga tales have done their research which makes for a refreshing change. Usually Africa is lumped together like a country with a Liberian speaking swahili or a Zulu wearing a traditional Nigerian dress. Not so in Tinga tinga tales; the title itself comes from art form which was introduced by a Tanzanian called Edward Tingatinga in 1968. Still popular today especially with tourists visiting Dar-es-Salaam, the animation is based on Tinga Tinga art. We also hear and learn a number of swahili words like 'asante' and 'polepole' in each episode thus cementing our knowledge of and appreciation for the Eastern region of the African continent. It should therefore come as little or no surprise to learn that each short 11 minute episode takes up to nine months to complete. No stone is left unturned - obviously, and all of it done in Kenya no less with a collaboration between Tiger Aspect production (the smart funny people behind the Charlie and Lola series) and the very young and talented and Kenyan, Homeboyz Entertainment.
As if all of that wasn't enough there is also a charitable initiative which aims to give back to education in Africa. Fantastic or what?....so here's an opportunity for us to feel good on the inside and on the outside.

Cbeebies who brought us gems like Charlie & Lola has been the first to snap up Tinga Tinga tales although it is supposed to receive wider distribution later. I really do hope it does, as this is a fantastic series that your children and you 'inner big kids' will adore and want to watch over and over again. Tinga Tinga Tales is on Cbeebies weekdays at 4.10pm http://www.tingatingatales.com/