‘Lijinet,’ a newly launched YouTube channel, offers a unique and engaging platform for Ethiopian children, blending entertainment and education in an interactive format. The channel’s name, meaning ‘childhood’ in Amharic, reflects its focus on content that is both culturally relevant and educational.
Selamawit Mindaye, the founder of ‘Lijinet,’ was inspired to create the channel after noticing a lack of locally produced content that aligned with her children’s culture and language. She explained, “The fact that my kids were not able to find content created locally that aligns with their culture and local language was the reason I started ‘Lijinet.’ It took us three years to get where we are today.” Her vision extends beyond digital content creation, aiming to establish ‘Lijinet’ as a kids and family brand.
In collaboration with Book Dash, ‘Lijinet’ features a series of animated African folktales. These stories are designed to reflect the everyday experiences of children with their families, friends, and environment, providing not only entertainment but also imparting important moral lessons and values.
In addition to storytelling, ‘Lijinet’ introduces children to the Ethiopian alphabet and the ancient language of Ge’ez through interactive videos. This segment aims to promote linguistic diversity and cultural heritage by making learning about one of the oldest spoken and written languages accessible and engaging.
The channel also includes a variety of brain teasers, riddles, and mind games designed to stimulate cognitive development and problem-solving skills in a fun and interactive way. Additionally, ‘Lijinet’ offers a do-it-yourself arts and crafts segment, encouraging creativity and hands-on learning.
‘Lijinet’ aims to provide a comprehensive educational experience, merging traditional storytelling, language learning, and creative activities. It seeks to foster intellectual and creative development while making the learning process enjoyable for children.
Parents and educators looking for an educational yet entertaining resource for children may find ‘Lijinet’ to be a valuable addition. The channel is now available for subscription on YouTube.