Born in the Hills: The Path to Birth Registration
During the 1st phase of the project, UNESCO produced 3 posters highlighting the importance of registering children at birth and the process necessary for both children born in hospitals and at home. These posters were very graphic and included information in simple Thai language. Yet, many highland villagers cannot read Thai language. This project initially proposed to translate these posters in minority languages and produce information materials in other forms. But because not all languages have scripts and that hill tribe people are not always literate in Thai or in their own language (if a script exists), hill tribe representatives advised not to produce posters or other printed materials.
Instead, an animated cartoon was produced to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information for highland people on birth registration. The cartoon script was developed by the northern author, Mr Kongchai, Sawetthaporn, based on the scripts developed for the radio spots and on other research information acquired by the project. The script was then translated and tested in seven minority languages, Lisu, Akha, Mien, Hmong, Karen, Lahu, and Tai Yai, as well as in the northern Thai dialect. The final production. The final cartoon lasts 10:45 and has been produced in all 8 languages with Thai subtitles as well as in northern Thai with English subtitles.
