Academy for Educational Development

"SuperHero" Chicken Emerges in Fight Against Avian Influenza

Washington, D.C., January 10, 2007 -- Super Kai! Super Moan! In any language, the fight against avian influenza is spreading through Southeast Asia through a new invincible character – Super Chicken®, as he is known to English-speakers.

The Academy for Educational Development (AED), which leads an avian influenza awareness campaign in Southeast Asia for the U.S. Agency for International Development, introduced the unlikely spokesperson in November of 2006 at national water festivals in Laos and The Royal Kingdom of Cambodia.

Originally developed in Cambodia during an AED workshop with government officials, “Super Moan,” as he is known there, is a broad-breasted rooster with a familiar red cape and strong opinions about healthy behaviors. The rooster first appeared in public service announcements, on posters, and in booklets where he demonstrated the “hows” to preventing the avian influenza virus from appearing and spreading.

From there, the Super Chicken image was adapted in Laos with a slightly different look. Part chicken and part human, “Super Kai” serves as a credible source of good behaviors and best practices to stop the spread of the bird flu virus. Somewhat bossy in temperament, he travels on motorcycle or boat to help farmers and communities prevent bird flu outbreaks.

“Our surveys among backyard farmers and their communities showed that there was both a need and a desire to have more information on specific steps to take to prevent outbreaks of bird flu,” said Mark Rasmuson, director of the AED Center for Global Health Communication and Marketing. “Super Chicken fills that need in a fun yet educational way.”

Super Kai and Super Moan have also appeared in documentaries, on stage with street theater, and at recent water festivals and other events. They will continue to appear in community-based activities and events in both Cambodia and Laos. To watch the TV ads, starring Super Chicken, and see other communication materials on avian influenza, visit www.avianflu.aed.org.

Founded in 1961, the Academy for Educational Development, www.aed.org, is a nonprofit organization working in all the major areas of human development, with a focus on improving education, health, and economic opportunities for the least advantaged in the United States and developing countries.

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