Our community
The main activities of this project are free weekly art classes for children of migrant workers from Burma. Studio Xang’s teaching activities take place outside of school time and school curriculum. Teaching conditions depend on the living circumstances of our target communities...We take these conditions into account and adapt teaching to existing facilities however basic. Transportation, teaching space, access to electricity or soil to grow plants can be difficult. Support from parents and communities has helped us in the past to overcome difficulties for the sake of children’s learning. Studio Xang’s work is about collaboration and shared ownership.
Studio Xang also runs teacher trainings for migrant, refugee and local adults, untrained and trained teachers, as well as parent workshops. Our publications include a quarterly news letter and this manual in Burmese, Shan and Karen languages. We are currently preparing a Thai version. We have also published a manual on Applied Drama in Burmese and Shan. Annually, Studio Xang organises children art exhibitions to validate children’s efforts and bridge between Thai and the migrant communities.
The aim project is that migrant children will grow up to their full potential, being able to improve their living and working conditions in the same capacity as non migrants. There are four core values that guide us in our work. Firstly, we believe in nurturing multiculturalism and respecting children’s cultural and linguistic backgrounds as they are. Secondly, we believe in equal access to learning opportunities for migrant children as for non migrants. Thirdly, we believe all children are equal in rights and in their potential to develop wholesomely regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, class and whether they are legally documented or not. Finally, we believe that a non- violent approach with children and between children in speech, physically, psychologically, both benefits children’s healthy development and encourages non violent conflict resolution for the future.
Activities
The project’s main activities are art classes for children, taught using child centered, learning by doing teaching methods. We focus on process and quality of learning rather than on product and quantity. Classes are designed in courses of 10 activities, often with a specific overall topic. In a course, students practice drawing, sculpture, colour work, print making, crafts and...cooking! Students’ learning is assessed at the end of each course. Field trips are organised to widen children’s horizons when ever possible.
Classes in Chiang Mai take place from 5.30 to 7.30pm in 5 construction workers camps. In Maesot 6 classes are taught during the day at weekends, either at our office and hosted by migrant schools. In Mae La Oon refugee camp, 3 classes are taught on Saturdays and hosted by Yaung Nii Oo school (section 13).
From April to June 2011, a total of 399 children (188 girls, 211 boys) joined the art classes in Chiang Mai. In Maesot, A total of 156 children (71 girls, 85 boys) joined the classes . In Mae La Oon, 60 children (30 girls, 30 boys) are attending the current course.
Mae Sot Art activities on October 2011
Studio Xang also runs teacher trainings for migrant, refugee and local adults, untrained and trained teachers, as well as parent workshops. Our publications include a quarterly news letter and this manual in Burmese, Shan and Karen languages. We are currently preparing a Thai version. We have also published a manual on Applied Drama in Burmese and Shan. Annually, Studio Xang organises children art exhibitions to validate children’s efforts and bridge between Thai and the migrant communities.
The aim project is that migrant children will grow up to their full potential, being able to improve their living and working conditions in the same capacity as non migrants. There are four core values that guide us in our work. Firstly, we believe in nurturing multiculturalism and respecting children’s cultural and linguistic backgrounds as they are. Secondly, we believe in equal access to learning opportunities for migrant children as for non migrants. Thirdly, we believe all children are equal in rights and in their potential to develop wholesomely regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, class and whether they are legally documented or not. Finally, we believe that a non- violent approach with children and between children in speech, physically, psychologically, both benefits children’s healthy development and encourages non violent conflict resolution for the future.
Activities
The project’s main activities are art classes for children, taught using child centered, learning by doing teaching methods. We focus on process and quality of learning rather than on product and quantity. Classes are designed in courses of 10 activities, often with a specific overall topic. In a course, students practice drawing, sculpture, colour work, print making, crafts and...cooking! Students’ learning is assessed at the end of each course. Field trips are organised to widen children’s horizons when ever possible.
Classes in Chiang Mai take place from 5.30 to 7.30pm in 5 construction workers camps. In Maesot 6 classes are taught during the day at weekends, either at our office and hosted by migrant schools. In Mae La Oon refugee camp, 3 classes are taught on Saturdays and hosted by Yaung Nii Oo school (section 13).
From April to June 2011, a total of 399 children (188 girls, 211 boys) joined the art classes in Chiang Mai. In Maesot, A total of 156 children (71 girls, 85 boys) joined the classes . In Mae La Oon, 60 children (30 girls, 30 boys) are attending the current course.
Mae Sot Art activities on October 2011