This project is aimed at migrant youth aged 12 years upwards. While parents wish for their children to have a better life, the low level of education hinders this wish. Children have a low level of education because they enter Thai school late and leave school early.
While teaching weekly art classes to migrant children, Studio Xang noticed that children would stop coming to art class around the age of 12 or 13. During family outreach visits we learnt that this or that child had started working to help the family. Boys often follow parents on the construction site and girls might care for children, or work at a small street stall. Youngsters marry early and have families, thus finding themselves in a similar situation as their parents: having to support a family while being a low paid unqualified laborer. Once youngsters start working, there are little opportunities for them to continue learning.
Parents did not really see how art could contribute to their children’s lives. Power Kid pilot project (2010) was designed to respond to this situation by providing a learning experience appropriate to the age group’s needs in terms of personal development and professional perspective. According to Studio Xang teaching methodology based on stages of development, teenagers are interested in gaining a higher level of knowledge and expertise. They are bored by facility or things that seem childlike. They enjoy greater responsibility particularly in the prospect of helping their family.
At the start of Power Kid summer training, some parents did not allow their daughters to join. When parents saw what other children were making, their attitude changed completely. If the truck was late to pick up children, parents called up to make sure it was coming. During outreach and parent meetings, where parents from different areas meet and give feedback to Studio Xang on project development, parents were proud and astounded that their children could make such beautiful things. Parents even requested to join Power kid themselves.
In 2010, two trainings were organized and youths learnt the basics of sewing, fabric silk screen printing and jewelry making. Youngsters held 3 market stalls to sell their handmade products. Participants decided to re-invest the money raised (5,000B) in Power Kid and also save some into a fund for emergency or field trips.
A proposal for Power kid 2011-13 has been submitted to the Toyota foundation. Because of its success, Studio Xang hopes to start a power Kid project in Maesot for youth from the community of garbage collectors, poorest amongst migrant workers. We will encourage girls to join.
While teaching weekly art classes to migrant children, Studio Xang noticed that children would stop coming to art class around the age of 12 or 13. During family outreach visits we learnt that this or that child had started working to help the family. Boys often follow parents on the construction site and girls might care for children, or work at a small street stall. Youngsters marry early and have families, thus finding themselves in a similar situation as their parents: having to support a family while being a low paid unqualified laborer. Once youngsters start working, there are little opportunities for them to continue learning.
Parents did not really see how art could contribute to their children’s lives. Power Kid pilot project (2010) was designed to respond to this situation by providing a learning experience appropriate to the age group’s needs in terms of personal development and professional perspective. According to Studio Xang teaching methodology based on stages of development, teenagers are interested in gaining a higher level of knowledge and expertise. They are bored by facility or things that seem childlike. They enjoy greater responsibility particularly in the prospect of helping their family.
At the start of Power Kid summer training, some parents did not allow their daughters to join. When parents saw what other children were making, their attitude changed completely. If the truck was late to pick up children, parents called up to make sure it was coming. During outreach and parent meetings, where parents from different areas meet and give feedback to Studio Xang on project development, parents were proud and astounded that their children could make such beautiful things. Parents even requested to join Power kid themselves.
In 2010, two trainings were organized and youths learnt the basics of sewing, fabric silk screen printing and jewelry making. Youngsters held 3 market stalls to sell their handmade products. Participants decided to re-invest the money raised (5,000B) in Power Kid and also save some into a fund for emergency or field trips.
A proposal for Power kid 2011-13 has been submitted to the Toyota foundation. Because of its success, Studio Xang hopes to start a power Kid project in Maesot for youth from the community of garbage collectors, poorest amongst migrant workers. We will encourage girls to join.