Studio Xang English version

_Interview 3/5 with Ma Thandar Aung

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Thandar Aung
_ Studio Xang had a talk with Ma Thandar Aung, who has joined the art class since May 2007, about her view on the progress while participating in the art class.


Xang:      Please tell me how old you are and which grade you are in.
Thandar:  I am fifteen years old. I am studying in Grade 8.  

X:        You have been studying with Studio Xang for long, do you remember any activities you learnt?
Th:       I learnt a lot such as making houses with recycled milk bottles, making a zoo in clay, doing outdoor drawing, making stamps with erasers, making stamps with cardboard and string, printing stamp with vegetables and fruits, creating three dimensional objects with wire, drawing, and making handicraft.

X:        Among these, which activity do you like most?
Th:       I like creating toys with wire string. I like it because I have to make my brain work. The creative process is not easy to remember so I have to pay attention to details to be able to make it again. I like using my brain because it improves my memory. I think this activity has more learning benefits because I learnt a handicraft skill and I improved my cognitive memory at the same time.

X:        In the art class, did you encounter any difficulties that you could not solve or do you think that there were any activity that were not useful for you? 
Th:        No, I can follow all the art activities well. If I have difficulties, teachers help me. The activities are always new. So as soon as I arrive to class, I am so keen to know what I will be learning in the class. Though I picked up my favorite activities because you asked, there is no activity which I do not like.

X:        How fell about teamwork?
Th:       I work together as usual when the activities are the group work. I am aware that some activities can be done by myself but some need team collaboration in order to complete the work. When working in a team, we all become close; we can do better artwork and work faster than when we work alone.

X:        In the class, there are different people with different religion, ethnicity and skin color, sometimes  you meet with other students who you did not know and work together. What do you think of this?
Th:       It is good to meet people with different thinking. We will know and have a chance to learn how they think and how they do things. For example, if we do not agree on something, if they tell us what is prohibited or allowed in their culture or religion, we will know. If we pick the good points and follow, we will be good. It is also good to know about other cultures as well as ours.

X:        Can you use any activities you learnt from Studio Xang in your real life?
Th:       Yes, I gained confidence to participate in drawing competitions from various schools. It is an inspiration for me knowing that I can do the handicraft activities as well as school lessons. It encourages me. I become more understanding of others in my social relations. I can control my mind when I get angry; I think of it first and try to understand and relax.

X:         What do you do in your spare time?
Th:        I join the art class in the summer school holiday.

X:         What do you want to be in future?
Th:       I want to be a nurse who will take care of sick, helpless patients.

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Interview 4/5 with Mg Naing Lin Htet

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Naing Lin Htet
_ Studio Xang had a talk with Mg Naing Lin Htet, who has joined the art class since May 2007, about his view on the progress while participating in the art class.

Xang:  Please tell me how old you are and which grade you are in.
Naing:I am seventeen years old. I am studying at eight grade.

X:        As you have been studying here for long, can you tell me which activities you like? Why?
N:        I like painting and drawing on canvas. It is the activity which starts with priming the canvas first and when it is dry, use paintbrushes and oil paint to draw. The oil color is mixed with Linseed oil. It is interesting for me because it is different from previous painting technique. In the past, we just used the paper to draw and all the materials were prepared by the teachers. We just draw. But in this activity, we have to prepare it from the beginning, then sketch and paint. We have to know how to mix oil paint while drawing. This activity is a more advanced level and I liked it.

X:        How did you feel about team activities?
N:        Teamwork is sometimes so frustrating. We have different ideas and they are not the same, therefore, we have to discuss and it takes time. If we do not work together, the end result is not successful. It is better to get the good result after group discussion so that we are working together. For me, I do as best as I can. Not only on my part, but I help the others too. I give a hand to others because I am older than others. This is good for me as I can lead others. But I prefer doing activities by myself.

X:        As you prefer working alone, which activity do you enjoy?
N:        I like the new creative activity which can be useful later on, like handicrafts. If the activity is too easy, it gets boring.

X:        What do you think about different people and culture? Do you think you should learn about them?
N:        I think we must. Now we are in Thailand. As we are staying in Thailand, we must know about Thai culture, language and rules. So that we will know what is happening in our surrounding and see what we should do. Besides, we should learn good things from them so that we would develop more ourselves.

X:        Can you apply the activity you learnt from the training? Do you think it is helpful?
N:        Yes. The activities such as teamwork and handicraft are helpful. We gain knowledge.

X:        What do you think about the teachers and their teaching methods?
N:        Good, they are patient. They choose the activity which all of our age group can do.

X:        What do you want to be in future?
N:        I want to be a mechanic and electrical engineer.

Naing Lin Htet’s father is U Chit Naing and he died of cancer last May. He is the eldest son in three children. Together with him, his brother is studying at grade seven at Hsar Mu Htaw school. But another brother is still inside Burma. His mother is not well and lives in Burma. After his father’s death, Naing Lin Htet continues his study while staying at Hsar Mu Htaw boarding house.

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Interview 5/5 with Tun Tun Win

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Tun Tun Win outside his home
_ Studio Xang talked with Mg Htun Htun Win, who has attended the art class since March  2009, about his view on the art class. So-O is an area 40 km out of Maesot town. Around 40 children from So-O attend Studio Xang art class.

Xang:  What’s your name and how old are you?
Win:    My name is Htun Htun Win and I am ten years old.

X:        When did you start learning at Studio Xang?
Win:    Over two years ago.

X:        Have you attended the So-O class since it began?
Win:    Yes.

X:        How did you feel when you started coming to the art class?
Win:    I was afraid that my Grandma would not let me attend the class. Moreover, I was afraid that the teacher would not let me come again if I could not follow the activities well.

X:        How about now? Are you still afraid like that?
Win:    No, not any more. Grandma always lets me go and the teachers always welcome me to the art class. I feel happy.

X:        As you have been in the class for long, do you remember what you have learnt from the art class?
Win:    Many things: printing using marbles dipped in paint that are rolled around in a tray over a sheet of paper, making bead necklaces, embroidery, drawing pictures, paper folding and building a house in group.

X:        Among those activities, could you please tell us what is your favorite activity?
Win:    Making necklaces with beads.

X:        Why do you like it?
Win:    I like creating jewelry. They are beautiful. I can wear it or give present to my Grandma.

X:        What will you do when you grow up?
Win:    I would like to create jewelry with beads, such as necklace.

X:        Why do you want to be like that?
Win:    I am not good at the school. But I remember how to do these things and I am able to do it. Therefore, I think I can do when I grow up. Teachers, please teach me!

X:        In the group activity, how did you manage? Was it difficult for you?
Win:    It was difficult for me to work in a group. I do not know how to do it. I just follow what others do. As we have to agree on the subject, it is not from my own desire. I have to be patient. At last, if the end project is pretty, I am happy.

X:        Do you think it is useful in your real life to do group activities?
Win:    I am always patient with my friends. I always help them with what they want to do and what they want to be. It is the same in doing group work.

X:        How about the way teachers teach?
Win:    All the teachers are good. They do not shout at me, never criticize me, and are very patient. Therefore, I love them all.

X:        Right now, you are in Thailand. But you are a Burmese boy. So do you think you should learn the culture, literature and language of others which are not yours?
Win:    Yes, I think so. Now I see friends who are different from me at the school or at the art class. If we get to know eachother, it is good. We gain knowledge.

X:        What do you do in your spare time?
Win:    I stay at home when the school closes or when there is no art class. I help my Grandma. I live far away from the city therefore it is not easy for me to go attend other trainings regularly. So I do nothing, nothing to do really. Therefore, I attend to the art class regularly. The art class is the only place for me to learn and to have joy outside school.

X:        I am glad to know that you are happy and satisfied. Thank you very much for the talk.
Win:    I also thank you. Please teach us more.

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Tun Tun Win with his grand mother
_  Talk with Htun Htun Win’s grandmother

Xang:  May I know your name?
Gm:     I am Daw Khin Kyi. I am 74 years old.

X:        How many brother and sister does Htun Htun Win have?
Gm:     No sibling, he is the only child.

X:        May I know the names of the Htun Htun Win’s parents?
Gm:     His mother is my daughter. Her name is Mi Maw. She died when Htun Htun Win was seven months old. His father name is A Htun. I have raised Htun Htun Win since my daughter’s death. I have eleven children. But only four children are left, the others died.

X:        Does Htun Htun Win tell you about his experience at studio Xang and the art activities?
Gm:     Yes, he does. Whenever he comes back from the art class, he shows me what he made, explains me what he was did and how.

X:        What about Htun Htun Win’s education situation? Is he able to cope with his study?
Gm:     He is not well developed mentally. I raised him alone since he was a baby. I had to find money to feed him milk. I put sleeping pill into his milk every morning and went to work.  I did this until he reached three years old. I did not have a choice. I know his cognitive development is not good because of the side effects of the drugs. He is now ten years old, but he is still at kindergarten level. Teachers help him but he cannot follow in class and pass to the next grade. I cannot help too.

X:        Have you noticed any changes in Htun Htun Win after he joined the Studio Xang art class?
Gm:     He likes going to school even if he is not very clever. He likes going to the art class too. After the art class, he started to make toys. That is really good because he gained basic skill which will help him to be on his own when I pass away. His schooling is not improving. Sometimes I think it would be easier for him to study his school’s lesson as if making art work. Seeing the toys he makes, I think he is good at his art work. Therefore, I am happy. I now know what he can do, so it helps me to think he can take care of himself when I pass away.

X:        Do you think that the activities he does in the art training will be useful in his real life?
Gm:     I hope that he will. He is very patient with his friends. He says he will draw my portrait, so that he thinks of me too. Therefore, I think that the art training is good for him.

X:        Thank you very much for your time.
Gm:     I also thank you for teaching my grandson to gain such knowledge.

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