In February Spark! Circus visited Nu Po again after more than 6 years. In the past, starting around 2011, we have been asked to organise their visits inside Nu Po, at first KEDC school and this time ESC offered to help out.
First we spoke with the Karen Camp Leader who would discuss it with the Thai Commander. When he gave permission we could plan the trip.
As the visit would be short we decided to have two events in two parts of Nu Po. The first day on the ground in front of the OCEE office where a small stage could function as performance place. The second day we would go to the other side between section 13 and 16 where a small ground looked perfect for a workshop with children and a short performance.
On February 9 the team from Spark! took off to visit Mae Khlong Khee where another visit was planned. Also here it had been 6 years at least since the last visit. Charlie from Spark! was the only member who had been to both places on earlier visits so when she met Wanpen from WDREC again, she received a warm welcome.
The date for this visit had long been unsure so organising the youth took some last minute communications. While this was happening we visited a pagoda at the start of Mae Khlong Khee with a fantastic view over the small town and the road leading towards Umphang. We spoke with the monk and the driver Saw knew a friend of the monk.
In a small building that is used for community gatherings, around 100 children and adults showed up to watch the members of Spark! show their skills. Juggling, acrobatics, magic, clowning it was there. Some children participated in some of the activities and when all was done photo sessions made sure memories were captured.
Our host prepared a fantastic dinner using lots of vegetables from her own organic farm. A large outside building served as sleeping spot.
The next day we stopped at Wanpen’s organic farm in the next village and we looked at the cabbage patch, the eggplants, bananas and broccoli. When we took off to go to Nu Po, we had a large bag of fresh, organic vegetables.
We passed the entrance of Thee Lor Su and Spark! members made a not to visit on their way out. Just after midday we arrived in Nu Po. In C Htoo’s restaurant we had lunch after Spark! members were shown their sleeping spot, the living space in the bamboo house where 2 teachers from ESC live.
About a hundred children showed up for the workshop while another hundred people would sit in front of their houses watching the event. In circles children were encouraged to follow instructions like waving hands, making sounds, jump and down al the while laughing at the silly gestures by Spark! members.
They were given sticks to perform other tasks and as one member said, these activities are good for eye-hand coordination. In another corner children learned how to hold plates on a stick by creating circular motion. Then it was time for the hoola-hoops and some children showed real talent by keeping the hoola-hoops from dropping on the ground.
The workshop ended with a short show where all members of Spark! showed their unique skills. Unfortunately the large wheel could not be used on the stage as the floor was not even enough.
Dinner and Sleep
After the show it was time for dinner. Saw Moe Min and Saw peacock had been cooking up a storm and the whole floor of the house was covered with plates of food. This gave Saw San Tun Naing and Saw Moe Min who had offered their place as sleeping place, the chance to talk about their life and work at ESC.
Sleeping in Nu Po has the advantage of the almost absence of artificial lights, calmness of the night, fresher air due to the height of the place and the fact that houses are often surrounded by trees and most ground is unpaved or unconcreted. This meant that members of Spark! slept a bit earlier than normal.
Sunday
Breakfast was in 2 stages as some food was consumed at ESC/KEDC compound and on the way to Section 13 we stopped in the main shopping street where several Burmese Tea-shops offer Bae Bhiote Nambia and Lae Pa Ye. (flatbread with chickpeas and Burmese tea)
After that we passed the football ground, where Spark! has performed in the past, and continued to the spot in Section 13. With the help of neighbours the truck could pass a narrow passage and then the fun started again.
A smaller crowd than a day before, with some children doing a second helping, the atmosphere was the same. Simple joy on a quiet Sunday morning. The spot was well chosen as a few remaining massive trees gave enough shade to keep it pleasant. One tree would loose a branch a few weeks later demolishing part of a house, no injuries reported.
After the workshop with the children there was another performance, more or less the same with the difference that all was done on the ground and not on the stage. It all ended with more photo shoots and eventually the Circus was send off on their way to the waterfall.
Next year we should do it again, perhaps a little longer. At least we at ESC will have another year of experience.
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