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2007 > Kuwait: 2-Week NGO Workshop – MEPI

Kuwait: 2-Week NGO Workshop – Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)

Student Video Projects

Organization

Women Cultural Social Society

Description

This PSA displays facts about health complications that can result from obesity between images of a red balloon getting pumped with air- bigger and bigger until it fills the whole frame. “45% of people in Kuwait between the ages of 6-19 are overweight,” the text says.“ Obesity inhibits activity in the area of the brain affecting language, memory, vision and speech,” A final WARNING sign appears with more facts about the side affects of obesity: “Obesity can cause high blood pressure, insomnia, depression, and low self-esteem.” The sound of a balloon popping over this final message is meant to startle and wake up the audience to the dangers of early obesity.

This PSA was created by Suhaila Al-Salem, a board member and active leader within the civil society organization, Women Cultural Social Society. She wishes to educate both parents and youth about possible health complications caused by childhood obesity, a relatively new problem in Kuwait. Suhaila would like to create a movement of Kuwaitis committed to tackling the issue of childhood obesity, and to build a widespread public awareness campaigns through this and other Public Service Announcements. She also wishes to call parents attention to bad habits formed by their children at an early age, such as eating while watching television or playing video games, neglecting to exercise, and over-consuming fast foods, which result in weight gain and impaired health.

In addition to Suhaila’s activism, she organizes women’s health initiatives through Women Cultural Society, and activities for women to gain business and networking skills to open their own businesses in Kuwait.

She is the primary contact for the Kuwait NGO Film Club that formed after a two-week workshop led by Barefoot Workshops at the Radisson SAS in Kuwait. She plans to continue creating her own PSA’s and facilitating monthly meeting for the club. Please contact Suhaila if you would like to join the Kuwait NGO Film Club, or if you would like to broadcast the groups PSA’s on regional networks in The Middle East.