Grassroots comics samples

Ten samples from different parts of the world on different issues, all made in the same format of a four-panel wallposter comics:

1. Conserve water

   

   By Rajendra Gupta of the Samantar-organisation, Rajasthan, India (2009). The comic is pointing out wasteful uses of water in the cities.

2. Vulnerable women

   

   By Ms. Ambreen Nawaz Shaikh, from IIRE in Hyderabad (2008), Sindh, Pakistan. Note: read from right to left. The story is about shelter for battered women.

3. The education of girls

   

   By Ms. Koku Katunzi, from the organisation HAKI ELIMU, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2003).

   The story is about a Maasai girl, who wishes to go to school. Her mother talks to her father, who in the end supports the idea, but only on the condition she will not be subjected to a “foreign” culture in the school. In the last panel she is going to school together with a friend.

4. Tuache ngono (slogan meaning let’s abstain from sex)

   

   By Ms. Naomy Nyalusi, Njombe, from the organisation UKWATA, Tanzania (2005).

   A young couple has been going out for a year. The boy wants to have sex with the girl and threatens to leave her if she does not agree. The girl says OK and later on becomes pregnant. She asks the boy for help but he turns his back on her. A friend advises the girl to get an abortion. There are complications and the girl starts to bleed and dies after her illegal operation.

5. Seasonal uncontrolled fires

   

   By Ms. Luisa Xavier from the organisation ADPP/EPF in Mozambique.

   The story is about the seasonal uncontrolled fires that plague the agricultural areas. The comic was published in “VIDA”, a publication by ADPP and UFF Finland in 2007.

6. Sanitation in our environment

   

   By the teacher Chindole from Formigais do Futuro (a primary school) in Chimoio, Mozambique. The story is on sanitation and the use of school latrines. The comic was published in “VIDA”, a publication by ADPP and UFF Finland in 2007.

7. Fati accuseé de vole (Fati is accused of theft)

   

   by Ms. Marie Louise Sarr, from the African Movement for Working Children and Youth, Senegal (2005).

   Fati works as a maid and she is accused of stealing a piece of jewellery from her employer. Fati is taken to the police. The police demand that the employer should prove that this was a case of theft by providing some evidence because youth workers also have the right to be treated justly.

8. Bitter words

   

   By Omar Saleh from the organisation “Beit atfal Assomoud” in Lebanon (2006).

   Note: Read from right to left. The Palestinian different factions negotiate with each others, but only bitter words are exchanged. Their fighting continues and escalates, many people die. When burying their comrades, the factions understand that only by negotiating seriously they can achieve peace between the groups.

9. Accident

   

   By Ms. Hikmat Waled Moussa from the Mar Elias Palestinian Refugee Camp, Lebanon (2006).

   Note! Read from right to left.

   1st row, right: The text: The beginning of the school year. - Father, the teacher wants the school fee tomorrow. - But I do not have any money. Tomorrow you stop the school and begin to work with me. 1st row, left: The text: The next day. - Oh no, I hurt myself. Help me. - 2nd row, right: The text: At the hospital. - I spoke with your father and he admitted that he had made a mistake. Tomorrow you will return to school. - Thank you, doctor.

   2nd row, left. The text: After some days. - Great to get back to school.

10. Teacher’s coaching

    

    By Ram Prasad. Comics made during the ”Spare the Rod” campaign against corporal punishment in Maharganj, Uttar Pradesh, India (2008).

    Ramesh goes to school every day, but does not take any coaching (additional teaching for money) from the teacher. The teacher thrashes him. Ramesh says he does not need any coaching, as he understands the subject already. He complains to the Head Master, who takes up the case with the teacher who stops harassing Ramesh.

Related pages

Grassroots comics in action

Grassroots comics can be used to focus on different issues, such as racism, sexual harassment, girl child rights, school drop-outs, hiv/aids, sanitation, and right to education.

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Campaigning with comics

Three campaigns, which were arranged in India on problems related to children’s rights and the issue of corporal punishment, are described in detail.

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