Review of Hearts for Hearts Doll Shola From Afghanistan

PRODUCT INFORMATION:

UPC:  043377131403
Manufacturer:  Playmates Toys
Production Date:  2013
Made in China
Recommended Ages:  6+ (Choking hazards make it unsuitable for children under 3.  This needs to be taken seriously as these dolls do have small jewelry)
Doll Size:  15 inches
Eye Color:  Light brown, hazelish
Hair Color:  Black with a brownish tint
Box contents:  1 doll with a pink silk-like scarf around head, small gold ball earrings, blue dress with small white polka-dots and flower print on lighter blue fabric, bordered by a pink ruffle; three plastic bracelets:  pink, green, purple; purple shoes; white underwear; booklet, pink brush with rubber band, and a bracelet with pink and dark purple hearts. (Apparently there are some variations with the dolls--like some have purple boots)
Doll movement:  Classic babydoll:  head can nod up and down and rotate; eyes have painted lashes and do not close; arms rotate and go up and down; elbows don't bend; torso does not bend or twist; legs go up and down; knees or ankles don't bend; doll can stand up by itself and sit down if arms propped behind her
Available at:  Target $24.99;  Toys R Us $27.99;  Available on ebay and Amazon, but may be more expensive.  May only be available at Target and Toys R Us at individual stores and not online.
About this product:  A dollar for each doll sold goes to WorldVision, a charity that helps children around the world through education, water, hygiene, microenterprise, community development, and disaster relief
Doll biography:  Shola is a ten year old girl living in Kabul, Afghanistan.  Her parents and brothers were killed during a bombing.  She and her older sister Mehri lived in a house that had no roof, often were hungry and cold, and frightened by the sounds of fighting.  One day, a man invites them to see a circus performance--and then invites them to join his circus school.  Shola is learning to become a juggler, and her sister is an actress.  Soon they will tour their country, bringing some joy and hope to other children.

My love for Hearts for Hearts dolls developed much the same way as my love for Journey Girls.  At first, I only liked one or two dolls.  As time went on, I started wanting to collect the lot.

Unfortunately, unlike Journey Girls--which are re-released every year (except apparently Jordana)--Hearts for Hearts generally puts out a different set of dolls every year.  They don't generally seem to do reprints, though I'm not sure if they didn't do one with Rahel.  I could kick myself for not getting Rahel earlier when she was widely available.  I passed her several times at my Target store, but at the time I had a different obsession...and I always thought she'd be around.

When I decided to collect them all, I decided to go for the original dolls first--as they are more rare:  Consuelo, Nahji, Rahel, Lilian, and Dell.  I already had Tipi, who was the first doll I fell in love with.  They also are the most expensive because they are out of production and no longer sold in stores.  I despaired in getting Rahel, who was particularly popular.

However, I started to realize that if I would like to save money, it is practical to get the dolls that I can when they are available in the stores.  Yet, I hesitated with Shola.

I love these dolls because they introduce you to other cultures.  Generally, I expect that they will give a slightly rose-tinted story that won't delve into the darkest problems of these nations...only give enough awareness to children that there are people who don't have enough food or adequate shelter.  I admit I usually prefer to learn about places I don't know about.  For one thing, it adds to my knowledge...but I'm also less likely to have any media-induced prejudices.

 This is a stock photo of Shola.  Apparently there can be variations with the doll.  My doll's clothing looked different, had plastic rather than cord bracelets, and purple plastic shoes rather than boots

And that was one problem with Shola.  I have heard so much negative media coverage about Afghanistan that I wasn't sure I really wanted a doll that represented that country.  What story am I going to hear?  Does Shola have an older brother that is a suicide bomber?

I don't like saying I'm not prejudiced because it probably isn't totally true.  It is human nature to be prejudiced--just as it is human nature to be influenced by public media.  What I can say the truth is, I try my best to not be prejudice (and admit that sometimes I don't succeed, though generally I do pretty good) and to keep in mind that we almost never hear the other side of the story.

 I have acquaintances that are Muslim that I like and respect.  I'm usually impressed with how much they seem to know, and often they seem to be the sort that would go out of their way to help you.  I have also never met a half-assed Muslim.  They seem to put their all into everything they do.  They are very passionate and intense, and that coupled with their virtues oddly enough can make them rather scary at times.  If people are passionate and intense, I think we generally prefer that they also be half-assed.

My mom liked Shola without the wrap around her head.

Shola had another point against her--she reminded me of a neighbor that had annoyed me.

However, I decided to get her rather than regret it later like I did with Rahel (which initially seemed unpopular as well).  All the negative media coverage and the resemblance to the annoying neighbor vanished as soon as I read her story and the word "circus".  Shola is a juggler in a circus--HOW COOL IS THAT?!!!  This was actually a very good story to use, as it gave a more colorful view of a world that we tend to view as grim.  Shola is a little girl who finds escape in the magical world of the circus.  She has suffered from the war that is going on:  she lost her parents and brothers, she was deprived of food and adequate shelter, and the fighting scared her.  It is a sad story, but it emphasizes that Shola is a human being like the rest of us.

It can be very difficult to get along with people who have different beliefs and concepts than you, particularly if they are a passionate sort.  However, if we can find common ground in our basic humanity, there is always hope that one day we'll find a way to put our differences aside, or at least agree that we disagree peacefully.

I think Shola's outfit is one of my favorites of all the dolls.  Generally, the appeal of the Hearts for Hearts dolls is rarely due to their fashion...even though they supposedly are dressed in the style befitting their country.  The clothes are rather ordinary looking.  The jewelry tends to be more impressive.

I'm rather curious about what will happen to Shola's eyes.  In my review of Hearts for Hearts Lauryce, I mentioned that these dolls' eyes are much like marbles.  I used to have clear marbles that would have a spot of paint inside of them.  As time went on, the clear marble would cloud up...and I would have a harder time distinguishing my blacks and purples.  My Hearts for Hearts Tipi doll originally had brown eyes--and in certain types of light they still look brown.  However, her eyes are actually now purple.

The dolls also get a grayish tint over time.  It isn't always such a problem with the moderately dark dolls like Shola.  However, this gray tint can make the pale dolls rather peculiar looking and the dark dolls like Rahel look like zombies.  It is something that a collector or parent needs to consider when considering how much they are willing to pay for the doll.  My advice is, to try to get them when they are available in the stores.