makhampom-english

Chiang Dao Community Program

2007-11-13T14:49:00.003+07:00

Classroom in the Community Projects
Studying dalaang and pakyaw identity, in history, performance, food,
belief systems, handicraft, ecologies as part of community building and
sustainability-based programs in Pang Daeng and Ban On villages in
Chiang Dao district

Children's Days
A monthly highlight in Chiang Dao as 250 primary and kindergarten kids
take over the Makhampom Living Theatre Space in a day of creative chaos,
starting with performances by Makhampom, the youth theatre troupes, and
other visiting performers, and followed by hands-on art sites, where the kids
try their hand at traditional toy making, clay sculpture, puppetry, face paint,
drawing, kite building, even hula hoop and hip hop

Youth Theatre Troupes
Building up the youth theatre troupes in Chiang Dao, from the children's
group in Tung Luk village and their dynamic performances of their village
history, to the hilltribe groups of Pang Daeng and Ban On and their mix
of theatre, storytelling, and traditional artforms, to the much travelled
Chiang Dao youth theatre

Bookbike Mobile Libraries
A library bus wouldnt make it up some of the hills to the remote schools
so we are building 3 motorbike sidecar creations, as mobile libraries to
travel the hills around Chiang Dao to provide remote schools with access
to good books, with volunteers putting on performance, readings, storytelling
and other activities to support the mobile library

The Bookworm Reading Project
Activities in 9 schools introducing Makhampom’s work through storytelling
and a creating reading project Community PlaygroundsBuilding
community playgrounds in Tung Luk village and Makhampom
Centre as a collaboration of Australian volunteers, Makhampom,
and the local community

Makhampom Living Theatre, Chiang Dao
The centre at Chiang Dao is now constantly buzzing with activity. With
the theatre, guesthouse, and living area complete, the recent developments
have been with the creation of a playground and the harvesting of our
first rice crop. The centre is busy with a mix of activities with the local
community, international collaborations and study tours, and hosting
groups from around Thailand and overseas for visits. Jon, Richard,
Janita, Tanya, Muay, and Kwan (with baby) live on site with the staff
(Puey, Champee, Boy & Jiew with their little boy, Poo) living in town.
Volunteers, Willow and Marcus from Australia, live in town and work
on the refugee program, and will be joined by Lian Low and Georgie
Davill later in the year.

The exciting things happening are the Children’s Days, which are
wonderful chaos, the Tung Luk Children’s Theatre Group and youth
theatre troupes in town and local villages, alongside theatre and
education activities with the schools and Chiang Dao community,
the rice-farming, Study Tours and Theatre Lab programs, the
playground making, and the stream of visitors coming through
Chiang Dao.

Makhampom’s Refugee Program and Conflict Publication

2007-11-13T13:42:00.006+07:00

Art of Peace

We have just completed a trainers manual in theatre arts for conflict resolution
called The Art of Peace. This outlines many of Makhampom’s key workshop
processes. We will bring a box of the books to Australia for distribution or can be
posted from Thailand for other countries. Let us know if interested. Cost is $10 plus
postage.

Refugee Program

As the situation in the refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border worsen,
Makhampom’s role there grows, although we would be happy for this to
reverse. Our work in the camps in driven by providing support for local
refugee community organizations with skills, resources, and methodologies
that can be of use in their activities in camp and within Burma. Alongside
this, we conduct numerous training and development programs with NGOs
addressing existing problems in the camps.

In 2008, our refugee program includes:
· Dispute resolution trainings with camp leaders in 3 Karen and
Karenni refugee camps from Jan-Mar;
· A major theatre workshop and performance project with UNHCR
to address stigma towards HIV in 2 Karen refugee camps from Feb-Dec;
· Theatre training project with Karen theatre workers from Karen
Student Network Group (KSNG), Karen Womens Organization (KWO),
Karen Youth Organization (KYO);
· Women’s centre workshops with Migrant Assistance Program (MAP)
along border;We are also playing a role in the Homelands project in
Australia, which involves building connections between place of
resettlement and homeland.

LAC 2007

International Volunteers & Circus Project

2007-11-13T13:37:00.004+07:00

Makhampom is effectively a family of Thai volunteers, with most members having joined the group as volunteers and grown into the group, with the directors all having cut their teeth in the group this way. With the Makhampom Living Theatre in Chiang Dao up and running, and the organization sorted out, we have created an international volunteer program to support our diverse activities. There are many requests to volunteer with Makhampom or undertake an internship, so we have attempted to create a good approach to this.

Previous volunteers can attest that Makhampom is an exciting group to meet but a difficult group to work with. At the heart of this is language. Without Thai language, there is a big barrier, as English, and other languages, are either limited or avoided. Another aspect is expectations, where hopes of working intensively with remote communities or in refugee camps are usually dampened by the cautious approach we take to working in new contexts. And the third point is culture. There is food, climate, work approaches, belief system, communication, behaviours to adapt to. So volunteering with Makhampom has its challenges.

We have found that participating in the Study Tour program is the best step into a volunteer role, as it provides an intensive introduction to the group, the place, the community context, and our methodology. Significantly, it also shows a commitment to work towards raising funds to support our work. And most importantly, it allows both prospective volunteers and Makhampom to know whether we can live together or not.

As of 2008, we have just said farewell to Mayumi Nomura, our Japanese volunteer who was with us for 2 years, working in Chiang Dao community programs, the refugee program, documentation roles, and developing international Study Tour for Japanese groups. Willow Kellock is currently 8 months into an AVI placement, working on the refugee program, and her partner, Marcus Veerman has initiated a Hands-On alternative education project, which is currently going full steam ahead with a playground project in the Pang Daeng hill tribe school.

Who is coming this year?
Htoo Ler, is an Australian-Karen human rights worker and former refugee, who has worked with Makhampom in Australia and will join Makhampom on a VIDA assignment, over several years.
Lian Low, from the 1999 Study Tour, is looking into 3 months from June working on writing, editing, and come community programs in Chiang Dao.
Georgie Davill, from Carclew House in Adelaide and the 1999 Study Tour, will join us for a 3 month Asialink residency from mid-September to give our training and organization approaches a bit of a shake up both in Chiang Dao and Bangkok.
Marbu, a Burmese Karen activist from the Karen Environment and Social Action Network, will have a 6-month internship later in the year.

And what is available?

We are also inviting volunteers to work with Makhampom in Chiang Dao, starting in July 2006. Our preference is for participants of Makhampom’s Study Tours as there is already a relationship, mutual familiarity, understanding of the Makhampom context, and a commitment to support Makhampom’s work. The volunteer roles identified by Makhampom are:

1. International Program Organiser
manage Makhampom’s English language website;
manage the PR program for Study Tours and Theatre School;
part of hosting team for Study Tours and Theatre School/Camp programs;
participate in general Makhampom programs in Chiang Dao and elsewhere.
2. English Teacher
teach English up to 4 days a week, in poor local and remote schools, as well as for Makhampom staff and volunteers;
participate in general Makhampom programs in Chiang Dao.

Faces of 2007

Circus Project

After the performance of the Study Tour in the Pang Daeng ‘dalaang’ village, idea of a
circus program at our Chiang Dao base has grown legs. John Butler and Frank Minitti
from Swinburne/NICA, Shien Chee from Spaghetti Circus, and several Study Tour
participants have sparked interest amongst the youth groups in Chiang Dao. Recently,
Jerry Snell from New Circus Asia visited with the plans for an Asian circus network
and regional projects. We will join the conference in Battambang in April to become
involved in the network.

So, in short, the circus project we are looking at would involve two main parts:
1. Youth Circus in Pang Daeng
We are working with the youth theatre group from Pang Daeng village (displaced dalaang
ethnic group from Burma) every month of 2008 on a project that studies dalaang identity,
in terms of history, belief, performance, farming techniques, arts, etc. One of the objectives
is to create a performance of their stories that they can perform to tourists. They depend on
tourism as they are stateless people, cannot own land, and the current tourism is part of the
hilltribe zoo culture. The circus aspect would become part of the theatre training, devising,
and performing part of the project.
2. Circus School in Chiang Dao
We will set up a regular circus class at the Makhampom Living Theatre, with evening trainings
for members of Makhampom’s youth theatre groups in the district.

Volunteer trainers and circus equipment would be welcomed to make this project a reality.

International Program

2007-11-12T16:43:00.006+07:00

Our Activities

“of performance and process, of learning and living, of exchange
and economics, of friendship and fun”

Having emerged within Thailand ’s non-government organization (NGO)
network, Makhampom was maintained relationships with people’s
organizations, community development groups, human rights organizations,
alternative education institutions and cultural groups throughout its history.
Within the last decade, there has been an increasing focus on networking,
both local and international, to strengthen and broaden the impact of our
work and to develop support to survive.

Makhampom has a strong regional and international presence,
particularly with links and networks with people’s theatre groups.
Performance tours, festivals, collaborative projects and
workshops has taken the group to Malaysia, Indonesia,
the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, England,
Scotland, Germany and Australia. Makhampom has also
hosted volunteers and theatre workers and conducted
workshop programs in Thailand from many countries.

Since the introduction of Makhampom Study Tour program, the idea of
an extended program to help sustain the organization, while developing
techniques, knowledge and experience, has been explored. This has
resulted in this multi-layered international program, which is
run from the Makhampom Living Theatre in Chiang Dao but will occur
in different parts of Thailand and internationally.
Some are established programs, some are extensions of
existing programs, and some are entirely new initiatives.
The Makhampom Study Tours have brought over 75 participants
to Makhampom over the years, the experiences feeding into this
more substantial and diverse program

Makhampom’s international program is designed to provide
a basis for financial independence and sustainability while building
on the importance of cultural exchange, international solidarity and
mutual development. We have a team of internationally recognized
performers and facilitators led by Pradit Prasartthong,
Pongjit Saphakhun and Richard Barber and strong
developing team of volunteers.

These programs are open to the public, locally and internationally,
with the potential for developing partnerships or ongoing relationships
with programs designed to suit mutual interests. We encourage you
to enter the fray and join us in our program of international, intercultural
interplay and intervention…………

Registrations and/or applications are now open for
Makhampom Study Tours, the Theatre Lab, and the
Volunteer/Internship Program.

Makhampom Events Calendar 2008
January 26: Bookworm Children’s Festival Chiang Dao
February 16-23: Tung Luk Funeral of Head Monk (Chiang Dao)
April 2-3: Launch of Art of Peace publication, Bangkok
May 9 – June 3: ASSITEJ Festival, Adelaide & Australian tour
June: Cambodia/Laos Naga Wong Tour
June 28 – July 14: Makhampom’s ‘Wet Season’ Study Tour
July 23 – August 17: Schools Camps in Chiang Dao
September 15 – 29: Theatre Laboratory
October 18 – 26: Schools Camps in Chiang Dao
November 1 – 22: Bangkok Theatre Festival
December 1-18: Makhampom’s ‘Cool Season’ Study Tour
Each Month: Makhampom Studio weekend performance
Children’s Day, Chiang Dao (last Friday of month)

Study Tour

2007-11-12T13:10:00.003+07:00

Every mid-year, and now end of year, Makhampom hosts the much-loved Study Tour program. Since 1999, the Study Tour has provided overseas participants a rich introduction to Makhampom’s work while raising funds to support our community-based programs. In brief, it offers a hands-on training module of theatre in communities, a cultural exchange between participants from various countries and with Makhampom, a living theatre experience at our Chiang Dao centre, an exploration of local Thai lifestyles, and a lot of fun.

The 18-day program includes:
· A four-day TCCD training course;
· A two-day homestay and exchange program with Makhampom’s partner hilltribe communities;
· A three-day performance devising process followed by touring in local villages;
and
· Participant-run workshops for Chiang Dao youth theatre groups, a Children’s Day event at the Living Theatre, a program of visits and sightseeing in Chiang Dao and Chiang Mai, and a copy of Makhampom’s publication ‘Art of Peace’, video documentary, and t-shirt.

The Study Tour is suited to students and teachers, performers, youth workers, educators, community development workers, and adventurers

The 2008 Study Tour dates are:
June 28-July 14, 2008
December 1-18, 2008

And the cost is: $2,450 (concession $1,950) *does not include flights

For enquiries or registration, please contact Richard at makhampom2@hotmail.com

Study Tour 2003

Study Tour 2004

Study Tour 2007

Theatre Lab

2007-11-12T12:12:00.002+07:00

The Theatre Lab is a new program giving international artists an immersion into Makhampom’s theatre practice. Based at our Living Theatre in Chiang Dao, the 15-day Lab includes an introductory training in the popular traditional Thai likay theatre and Makhampom’s intercultural theatre techniques, feeding into a performance-devising project and tour of local communities and Chiang Mai. The exchange that occurs between Thai and international artists also involves a thematic research process, a participant exchange workshop series, and group presentations & video showings

Participants will number 10-15 Thai and international artists

Facilitated by internationally-recognized trainers, Mr Pradit Prasartthong, Ms Pongjit Saphakhun, and Mr Richard Barber, the Lab also includes theoretical discussion, resources and documentation.

Dates: September 15 – 29, 2008

Cost: $1,500 *does not include flights

For enquiries or registration, please contact Richard at makhampom2@hotmail.com

Performance

2007-11-08T17:55:00.006+07:00

ASSITEJ Festival and Australian Tour
We will perform at the ASSITEJ Festival in Adelaide from May 15-16, then tour to Melbourne,
Tasmania, and Perth/Fremantle. The production is Mahajanok – Never Say Die, a performance
combining Thai mask dance-drama and physical narrative theatre, drawing on the Buddhist
tale of Mahajanok, bringing the themes of perseverance, trauma, and struggle in the Deep South,
tsunami-affected communities, and refugee camps.

Tour Dates:
Adelaide May 9-18
Melbourne May 18-21
Tasmania May 21-28
Perth/Fremantle May 28-June 2

Naga Wong, a likay (folk opera) performance, revised from the collaboration
between Cambodian, Laos, and Thai artists in 2005, telling the story of the
Naga (serpent) in creating the Mekong River and peoples of the region, will be toured
through Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

Makhampom Studio, Bangkok
The Studio space in Saphan Kwai, not far from the Makhampom House,
is a small black box space, a development inspired by our 2006
performance at La Mama in Melbourne. Since opening, it has been
going full-on. Tua, Phiao, Tae, Eddy, and Ta are the team that manage
it and it had everything from an opening musical comedy performance
based on people of the Saphan Kwai community, restaging of the
productions Mahajanok – Never Say Die and Naka Wong – The Message,
hosting performance for the Bangkok Theatre Festival, seminars,
exhibitions of community art, and lots of coffee drinking. And they
have created a website that is the only one that works well at the
moment.

Welcome to Makhampom

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We are Makhampom.

We are not makhampom, the fruit. We are Makhampom, the theatre group.
We do theatre for community cultural development. We are 26 years old.
We grew out of Thailand’s 1970s pro-democracy movement.
We provide marginal Thai communities with theatre as micro media to
address local issues and discriminations. We train facilitators and
educators in Thailand and internationally. We explore a contemporary Thai theatre
and are prolific performers. We have an extensive schools touring and theatre
in education program. We perform at the Bangkok Theatre Festival and
international festivals. We host Study Tours and Theatre Laboratories.
We live and work with our partner communities in Chiang Dao. We are a team
of over 60 volunteers. We are a big family. We are like a folk community.
We are playful. We are poor. We have a culture of fun. We have our weaknesses.
We have our strengths. We are Makhampom.
We are now also the Makhampom Foundation.

'Art of Peace' Conflict Resolution Manual

2007-11-07T15:03:00.013+07:00

We have just completed a trainers manual in theatre arts for conflict resolution called The Art of Peace. This outlines many of Makhampom’s key workshop processes. We will bring a box of the books to Australia for distribution or can be posted from Thailand for other countries. Let us know if interested. Cost is $10 plus postage.