Phare Circus
When in Siem Reap, we decided to visit the circus - I’d heard a little about it previously, and I learnt a lot during and after the performance.
Phare Ponleu Selpak (meaning ‘brightness of the arts’) began life with 9 individuals in a drawing workshop class. Since that time in 1986, PPS has become:
“An association which supports community development through providing children, young adults and their families with social, educational, emotional and cultural support. PPS’s work with children is driven by the acknowledgement of each child’s individuality and need for specifically tailored support. Artistic practice and development is at the heart of the formal education, life and social skills offered to the young people we work with.”
In addition to the public school for 1000 children, the PPS campus includes various other arts schools, social support, a child protection unit, as well as a kindergarten and library. These facilities are used by underprivileged locals, and can seriously change whole family’s lives.
Sadly, during my time in Battambang I did not get to visit this institution, but felt inspired by their story. This initiative really seems something special, and I love that it has grasped that education need not be something that strictly adheres to government guidelines. Children (and adults alike) all have their own interests; they just need to be exposed to these to find them. It’s great to see an initiative that understands this, and uses the concept of the visual arts - specifically circus performance - to educate, celebrate diversity and transform peoples lives.
Check out their website here: http://www.phareps.org/