I know there hasn't seem to be an update on this blog since like July 5th, but there's a reason. From July 5th until like August 1st, we were working at max capacity everyday with the kids and getting the puppet show on the road. It was an unbelievable experience that I cannot even begin describing in words. So I won't, I'll do it with pictures. But before that, if you are wondering what we were able to do in India with our NGO Agastya. These puppet shows dealt with issues of health, hygiene, and personal wellness (emphasizing the importance of the water cycle, the dangers of littering, and the dangers of deforestation). Teaching science through art is the way to go!!!
We worked with more than 15 Agastya teachers to start a drama club which auditioned more than 300 children over the course of three weeks. We cast 30 children from over 10 schools in the Hubli area to participate in the first production. As a result of 3 weeks of daily rehearsals, we presented the first play 4 times in four days. Twice in Hubli to audiences of over 300 people each time (700 total) and twice in Kuppam to audiences of over 100 (250 total). As the project continues today, a team of 5-10 Agastya teachers are staging the second play at the end of October with the participation of 30 more children and even larger audiences. Some of the footage from the puppet shows the kids put on in Hubli were posted on Karnataka television as well!
We have produced one finished video of the first play performance that will be distributed by the Agastya Mobile Labs (3 in Hubli alone) and presented throughout the Karnataka region at schools they visit everyday. Agastya has the potential to continue this distribution to more than 40 other Mobile Labs in the region. The video will also be uploaded to Agastya's website, youtube, and other media sharing websites for viewers to share and learn from.
We came in not knowing much about puppetry and without having much experience, but we came out realizing that it wasn't about puppetry at all-- it was about immersing oneself in a completely different culture and relishing the amazing conversations, food, and friendships that last for a lifetime. Enjoy the pictures. If there's anything I learned from India, it is that one should live their life without any expectations. I miss the kids so much. So much.
We'll post the YouTube Video here when we are done with it. :)
You should also mention that the team developed a teacher's manual which has science lessons that correspond to the subject matter in all three plays, and outlines the steps to create a successful puppet show (from brainstorming ideas, to the making of the puppets, to the creation of the sets)
ReplyDeleteGood job and thanks for the update
Juan Felipe Vallejo