This 12-foot Syrian girl migrant doll is about to embark on a 5,000-mile journey from the Syria-Turkey border to the UK to highlight the problems facing young refugees.
‘Little Amal’ was made by the Handspring Puppet Company in the South African city of Cape Town to symbolise a Syrian child refugee.
Puppet designer Adrian Kohler said Little Amal’s eyes are operated by a joystick while all other movements, including mouth and limbs, are mechanical.
The huge 3.5-metre (11.5-foot) tall puppet will set off on an 8,000-kilometre (4,970-mile) journey next year to highlight the refugee crisis.
The migrant puppet will start its journey at the Syria-Turkey border in April 2021 and travel through eight nations before arriving in Manchester in the UK.
Along the way, Little Amal will stop at several festivals and city events before concluding her journey at the Manchester International Festival in July.
The route symbolises the one taken by many refugees.
Kohler said that Little Amal was a first for the company, and very different to the other large models and puppets they have been involved in making.
A team of six made the puppet at the company’s workshop from carbon fibre and other materials for its hair and clothes.
Little Amal reportedly weighs around 30 kilogrammes (66 lbs) and is operated by four puppeteers at a time.
An operator on stilts inside the puppet manages its walking, facial expressions and head movements while two on the ground control its limbs.
Meanwhile, a fourth member offers support.
The company has made three models of Little Amal which will be shipped to the starting point ahead of its journey.
If one is damaged, the other’s that are travelling alongside will step into its place.
Designer Adrian Kohler with the giant Little Amal puppet 
Little Amal who will walk on stilts across Europe to highlight the plight of young refugees
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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