UCA returns to Cambodia for art project

An arts project for street children in Cambodia is receiving support from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and The Blower Foundation, which are both based in Farnham.

UCA Galleries Curator & Manager, Christine Kapteijn, is returning to the town of Siem Reap on 8 February 2012 to assist the annual Giant Puppet Parade.

The larger than life scheme gives more than 600 disadvantaged young people the chance to learn new skills, build self-confidence, and possibly start a new life through art.

Christine Kapteijn said: "Out on the streets, the poverty in Cambodia is there for all to see but what isn't obvious is the lack of free education. You have to pay to go to school but, in their struggle for economic survival, not enough parents have the funds to be able to do that.

"The Parade gives street children the chance to benefit from several weeks of practical and creative activities in a major arts and community project.

Christine Kapteijn, UCA Galleries curator & manager "All participants acquire wonderful creative experiences that will feed their curiosity and hunger for knowledge. Stimulating the imagination in this way restores a sense of place and an awareness of cultural heritage."

The Giant Puppet Project is a British-led event that brings children from nearby orphanages, 'street kid centres' and schools together to put on a lively parade that aims to build a sense of community, promote teamwork and stimulate pride in their heritage.

Participants make colourful, larger-scale characters during workshops over a three-week period before parading their puppets through the town.

The Blower Foundation, which is based in Farnham, has donated a large amount of money to fund the project. Christine will also use her trip to investigate the possibility of extending the project with the help of students from UCA.

Christine added: "While I am in Cambodia I will be meeting with community leaders and schools to see if UCA could expand the project through a traineeship scheme.

"We are looking at potentially sending students out to help facilitate the project so more children can benefit from the parade – it would be an ideal vehicle for learning creative project management. A greater number of trainees would allow hundreds more street children to join the scheme."

Damien Blower, Founding Trustee of The Blower Foundation, said: "The Blower Foundation believes that cultural traditions and narratives help root people to the places in which they live and nowhere is this more needed than in Cambodia where conflict has strained such close connections to the nation's cultural heritage.

An art workshop in Cambodia 2011 "We look to support projects that help rebuild these traditions, through vibrant cultural activities for young people, so that they can enjoy and share today, as well as the future."