Stranger Danger Awareness

Boys show the kids how to dance

This is a tale of a village that refuses to welcome outsiders. 

The inhabitants hold the belief that all unfamiliar individuals are adversaries and should not be relied upon. 

To reinforce this notion, the government dispatches workers to promote this mindset. 

With the backing of these workers, the villagers avoid contact with those outside their community. They consider themselves to be wise and become increasingly convinced of their superiority over others. Over the passing years, they observe that all the newborns bear a striking resemblance to one another. It is as if all the children are identical twins. The children engage in local pastimes and frequently play by the riverbank, engaging in activities such as jumping, sliding down hills, swinging, swimming, and splashing. The villagers appear content in their secluded community.

The situation was not entirely positive, as hidden problems were starting to arise. Consequently, the village was about to face a health crisis with the spread of sickness and diseases. Due to the genetic similarities among the children, bacteria, and viruses were rapidly spreading. Tragically, many children succumbed to the illnesses before the doctors could intervene. The village's isolation had led to a vulnerability to diseases, making it easier for illnesses to become widespread.

Closed community

One beautiful day, a canoe drifted past the village. The villagers were intrigued by the strangers in different attire who looked unlike anyone they had ever seen. They beckoned the group to come ashore but hesitated due to the villagers' uniform appearance. Eventually, the strangers decided to approach the peculiar-looking people. The village chief inquired about their destination and learned that they were dancers on their way to perform in town. The villagers, unfamiliar with dancing and musical instruments, pleaded with them to showcase their talents in the village.

The paddling team assembled their instruments and arranged a space for a performance. The atmosphere in the village buzzed with anticipation. Some elders, resistant to change, confronted the group and demanded they depart in their canoe. 

Nevertheless, the young members objected and appealed to the chief for assistance. He attentively heard out all perspectives from the villagers. In the end, they reconciled their disagreements and concluded that the village should welcome outsiders. 

The dance performance proceeded as the musicians played their instruments. The villagers were impressed and delighted by the dance and the performers' remarkable talent. The children began to learn new dance moves and discovered the joy of dancing for the first time. 

When the government officials arrived, they appeared serious and concerned. They were not pleased to see strangers in their village, as they considered themselves the guardians of the village. They informed the chief that allowing strangers into the village posed a risk to the people, as they could potentially bring diseases or cause injuries with their new dance moves. After listening to the government's concerns, the chief realized that the village's isolation was doing more harm than good. Therefore, he asked the government workers to leave and allow the villagers to enjoy the performance. Once the show was over, he kindly invited the dance group to return after their city performance, as they wanted to show them some village hospitality. He also hoped that some of the dancers would stay and marry into the village, recognizing the potential benefits of their dancing skills for the community.

Stranger Awareness Program