‘The story of BOBO’ exists of two animated films, both translated into English and French. ‘Be HIV free’ tells the story of how the hiv virus works inside the body in a simple and colourful way. The follow up ‘Be AWARE take CARE’ shows what happens inside your body when you do not take your medication (ARV’s) on time, and therefore how important it is to faithfully take the medication. The idea for this film arose as a result of the many questions raised about the hiv virus by both children and adults who played the game LOVE check. The animated films were made especially for children in the southern part of Africa and children in the Netherlands with African and Caribbean backgrounds. However, after a short test period the films turned out to be suitable for more diverse demographics as well as other cultures. The animations have been translated in several languages. Meanwhile these two animations, each of around 8 minutes, wrapped in a colourful cover, along with a quiz, are distributed on a large scale in Southern Africa, in the Netherlands and other countries. And it appears it is of great possible interest to many more countries.

The first animation “Be HIV free” was created by Aljen Hoekstra, Joost Lieuwma,WipVernooij, Bento Kassies, Gerrit Elbrink, Bastiaan Swager en Marcel Smetsers, seven students at the Utrecht School of Arts Academy in the Art Media and Technology department in Hilversum, under supervision of several specialists, like Linda van der Knaap, HIV nurse of the Erasmus Medisch Centrum in Rotterdam, Christien Broecheler, informer public health, especially to people with a different cultural background and Gosia Grubba en Cynthia Jordan, both film specialists. The internationally renowned Suzanna Lobrano submitted a short song especially for the film. The animation was financed by Abbott B.V. and the AIDS Fonds

The second animation ‘Be AWARE, take CARE’ was made by four of the students, who made the first animation, who work as free lancers now: Aljen, Joost, Bento and Bastiaan. Content wise the team was assisted by the WEB.foundation and Hugo Tempelman, a Dutch doctor who has been working in South-Africa for over 14 years. He has founded a clinic and countless projects and he does a lot of research. All of the projects are related to hiv/aids. The charity branch of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group financed the whole animation project with a first issue of 11.000 copies.

Design wallet: Daniëlle Schaffelaars, Il Panda

View 'Be HIV free' (just for windows)

View 'Be AWARE, take CARE (just for windows)

View the speech of Richard Branson (just for windows)