Hasbro, Inc. is a company with a long tradition of supporting programs that benefit children around the world. For the past four years, Hasbro has working to raise awareness about projects in Zambia to help children in need. A group of Hasbro employees, moved by the plight of these children, devoted themselves to this cause and came up with the idea for PROJECT ZAMBI, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of the estimated 15 million African children who have been orphaned by the AIDS epidemic.
Hasbro established the PROJECT ZAMBI Fund within the Hasbro Children’s Fund to support programs that provide for the care and comfort of these orphaned children.
PROJECT ZAMBI truly came to life after Hasbro employees were inspired by the Chikumbuso Women and Orphans Project in Zambia. This amazing group of women and children embodies the idea of “remember what has been done for you, so you may do for others.” It was in this spirit that PROJECT ZAMBI was born and the first product created to support it was introduced - ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT.
ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT represents the creative collaboration of a multi-disciplinary team of Hasbro employees who dedicated themselves to bringing PROJECT ZAMBI to life - often working late into the night after their regular work was done. Friends of Hasbro and the children in Zambia also played a role in bringing ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT to life.
How ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT Came to Life
Elephants have long been considered one of Africa’s proudest and most majestic native animals. In choosing a baby elephant to represent PROJECT ZAMBI, Hasbro hoped to capture the unique spirit of Africa and bring a small piece of its culture to children all over the world.
ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT was created to help support organizations that are caring for children who have been orphaned by AIDS in Africa.
Hasbro has long been impressed with a program in Zambia which assists schools, provides teacher training and helps with transportation needs of in-kind donated goods. The women and children involved with this project were such a source of inspiration that we wanted to include them in some way when creating ZAMBI.
With the help of Mary Fisher, a world-renowned textile artist and special representative of The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), we were able to bring the spirit of Africa’s children directly to PROJECT ZAMBI. Mary and her team facilitated an artistic workshop for the orphaned children of the Chikumbuso community. Mary contributed her assistance to PROJECT ZAMBI because of her passion for supporting the women and children who have been affected by the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
The children created the original fabric designs featured on the ears and feet of ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT. The Chikumbuso children were also asked to create pictures of things they were thankful for, and the children responded with vibrant drawings of family members, friends and even a new pair of shoes.
The artwork from that special workshop was used to create the pattern that decorates the ears and feet of ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT.
ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT
ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT is a Special Edition FURREAL FRIENDS baby African elephant. While Hasbro has many beloved brands, FURREAL FRIENDS allows ZAMBI to really come to life and respond to a child’s love. This made the brand the perfect choice to introduce ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT, who will delight children with his life-like sounds and movements! Cute and cuddly ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT blows kisses, raises his trunk, sits upright and trumpets his elephant call!
ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT:
• Sighs and blow kisses, and giggles when you tickle his chest!
• Waves his trunk up and down and wiggles his ears!
• Curls his soft trunk around your finger!
• Comes with a special bracelet for you or your child to wear featuring a design created by children in Africa
The PROJECT ZAMBI Bracelet
The Hasbro team also used the children’s artwork to create the look of the special bracelet that comes with every ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT.
The bracelet is included in every package so children who bring ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT home can show their support for PROJECT ZAMBI and wear a symbol of their commitment. The bracelets will help children and adults spread the word about PROJECT ZAMBI and encourage others to join the cause and devote their support to the issue of caring for children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.
