Results of the Optimus Study On Child Abuse, Violence and Neglect in SA released by South Africa's Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention show that by the time South African children are 15 -17 years old, many of them have already experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or have been exposed to high levels of family and community violence.
These children can be helped by Talking Tigers. They council, comfort and encourage children in need.
Tumi Tiger is a tool to assist with:
Trauma Recovery
Experience shows that stuffed animals can bring physical and emotional comfort to children and adults who have gone through trauma and pain. Tumi can be a buddy to help children of poverty, disease, and disaster to feel loved.
Life Orientation
Tumi shares important knowledge, values and skills, that are essential for the personal, social, intellectual, emotional and physical growth of ALL our children. Every child can benefit from a friendship with Tumi.
Simple and Practical
A special pocket/pouch in each animal holds the audio player that is Tumi's voice box. The controls are easy for a child to use and give access to all Tumi's chats. The player is solar rechargeable and can be recharged hundreds of times.
Child Focused/Child Safe
The tiger soft toy is child certified, as well as the audio player device. These soft toys are washable, hypo allergenic and passed all the safety tests.
A Team Player
Tumi has proven to be effective serving as a co member of staff on medical teams, in police trauma rooms, counsellors or children's homes and child hospices.
Comprehensive
Tumi's stories are carefully developed to make a long-lasting impact on children . The child learns and is guided through Tumi's adventures and mistakes on crucial matters. Nobody's perrrfect , right? Tumi views, addresses and engages the child as a playmate and a tiger as well (or a human 'cub')
A Joint Project
This is a joint project with Global Recordings Network Southern Africa (GRNSA) as audio producer, partnering with Home of Creativity and Megavoice.
GRNSA developed the audio content for this project. Listen to Tumi's story - in English: Southern Africa or in Afrikaans.
Claude Vosloo from Home of Creativity wrote the script.
Megavoice designed and manufactured the animal.
You can be part of this project and support a child in need by sponsoring a gentle Talking Tiger for a special toddler out there.
Total price of unit is R500 (US$27, A$41).
Download information brochures and pamphlets about Tumi the Talking Tiger. All contain contact and ordering details:
- Tumi Booklet with FAQs: General information, pictures and FAQs in English and Ukrainian and Zulu
- Tumi Philosophy: Information for carers and welfare professionals in English and Ukrainian
- Tumi Chat Summary Matrix: Grid format with summary of each chat in English and Ukrainian
- Tumi General Information: A4 portrait, 2 pages, text and pictures, with plain white background or fur background
If you would like to be involved with this project click here to contact GRN Southern Africa.
As this project develops and grows, we will share more detailed information here and in our newsletter.
Donate to Talking TigersYou can donate by clicking the button to your right, designating your gift 'Talking Tigers for Children in Need Project'.
Want to see more photos like the ones below? Visit the Tumi Tiger Gallery on Facebook. No need to log in or sign up.
