Positively Sesame Street

In South Africa's war against AIDS, a cute and cuddly five-year-old is preparing to make an important debut. Meet Kami, the world's first HIV-positive Sesame Street Muppet. Takalani Sesame , South Africa's version of the famous U.S. television series (takalani means "get happy" in Venda), has been running for two years on the South African Broadcasting Corp. network. Under the creative direction of its U.S. originator, Sesame Workshop, the South African version uses homegrown characters and situations to educate while entertaining young children throughout the country.

Incorporating all 11 of South Africa's official languages into its pedagogue- approved scripts,...