By Emily Martin<\/em><\/p>\n Phare Circus is a social enterprise owned by Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school. Our primary missions are to fund the school and provide well-paying jobs to its graduates. We also strongly believe in social responsibility through sustainable tourism. Revenue generated by the circus also helps fund ongoing education and life-skills training.<\/p>\n A group of Phare artists and youth from Anjali House in Siem Reap recently came together to take part in a creative writing workshop.<\/p>\n Writing Through Cambodia<\/strong> is a project which was founded by author, Sue Guiney, to help improve the education and self-esteem of students in Cambodia. She started it after a volunteering trip to Cambodia when she was inspired to write a book about the positive and negative experiences she had. After the publication of \u2018A Clash of Innocents\u2019 she started the writing workshop as a way of giving back to the people and country she had grown to love.<\/p>\n The specific goals of Writing Through Cambodia<\/strong> are:<\/p>\n The work you will find below is just a small selection of the work written in a special collaborative Writing Through Cambodia<\/em> workshop with members of Phare, The Cambodian Circus<\/em> and students from the educational shelter, Anjali House<\/em>.<\/p>\n Sue Guiney, the founder, had a specific theme for this workshop. \u201cEvery day for a week we came together to talk about, and write about, in English, the idea of Taking Risks<\/strong>. We all take risks at one time or another. Some jump rope with fire. Others dare to sit around a table with people older than themselves and reveal their thoughts. For many, just asking the question, ‘Do I take this risk or not?’ is a big risk in itself. But to try to write all of this in poems and stories, and in English, was, indeed, a risk for them all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was my privilege to be able to facilitate the creation of these works of art. It is my privilege now to introduce these creations to you.\u201d<\/p>\n A Way to Live<\/strong><\/p>\n By Phounam, Circus Artist\u00a0 (age 23)<\/em><\/p>\n Every day in my life is an adventure.<\/p>\n You have choices, darkness or bright.<\/p>\n Love the way you are.<\/p>\n Be grateful. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Life is short.<\/p>\n Take a journey and be responsible.<\/p>\n Maybe it\u2019s hard. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe it\u2019s fun.<\/p>\n Go as far as you wish.<\/p>\n You might fail, but don\u2019t be blind.<\/p>\n Create your own light.<\/p>\n Loves and hates are always together.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss your chances.<\/p>\n Explore your love and be honest.<\/p>\n Sometimes it is lonely and stressful.<\/p>\n Try and try again.<\/p>\n Find for yourself a good way to peace and freedom.<\/p>\n Keep your fame, inspiring people.<\/p>\n You will die. They will cry<\/p>\n Please enjoy every moment in life.<\/p>\n Respect and hope.<\/p>\n Should I Have a Risk?<\/strong><\/p>\n By Srey Roat, Anjali House (age 16)<\/em><\/p>\n On the way is so important.<\/p>\n Think first before you do.<\/p>\n Think of the good way and the bad way,<\/p>\n but try your best to choose it.<\/p>\n Should I have a risk?<\/p>\n No, I don\u2019t like it<\/p>\n because it can make me have an accident or be safe.<\/p>\n But if I have a risk, I will make it beautiful and be responsible for it.<\/p>\n The Lesson of Life<\/strong><\/p>\n By Panha, Anjali House (age 18)<\/em><\/p>\n Life is chances<\/p>\n Sometimes success, sometimes failure<\/p>\n Happy with success, sad with failure<\/p>\n Sometimes you\u2019re nervous to say it out loud<\/p>\n But you are brave to do it.<\/p>\n Life is effort<\/p>\n Be happy with failure, and think you can do it<\/p>\n Life is not failure<\/p>\n But it\u2019s the success in the future<\/p>\n The failure is the lessons of the life<\/p>\n It teaches you to be a brave person<\/p>\n Also it is the way to make success<\/p>\n Believe Yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n (A group story)<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cambodia is a developing country. Two years ago, there was a group of five young people from Battambang Province, close to the Thai border, who had a chance, for the first time, to visit a zoo outside of Cambodia. They were all boys and they were 21 years old. They were all strong and good singers, but they each had their own personal skills. They wanted to see the animals, especially a bird called Kaka who was a fortuneteller. Among the five boys was one who can speak with birds. That was his special skill. His name was Vithou. He was tall and fat, but had a beautiful smile.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was a shiny day. Suddenly, they met a little girl who lost her way home. Vithou asked her, \u201cWhy are you crying?\u201d and she said, \u201cI cannot find my way home.\u201d Vithou said, \u201cHow can I help you?\u201d \u201cFind my mother,” said Chantou. So, Vithou and Chantou walked through the zoo together. Suddenly, Kaka called out, \u201cDon\u2019t trust the boy! He can hurt you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chantou started to think, \u201cCan I trust him? What should I do now?\u201d Vithou wondered, \u201cCan Chantou understand the bird?\u201d and asked her, \u201cWhat did the bird say?\u201d Chantou said, \u201cHe told me not to trust you.\u201d Vithou said, \u201cI am not a bad person. Believe me\u201d. But Chantou knew that the bird was a fortuneteller so she believed the bird and not the boy and started to run away from Vithou. Vithou found his friends and together they found Chantou\u2019s mother, but they cannot find Chantou. She has gone to a dangerous place.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When they find her, the mother sees Kaka and remembers a time when she was a little girl and the bird lied to her. So the mother chased the bird away and said to her daughter, \u201cVithou is a good person. Trust yourself and not the fortune teller.”<\/p>\n We are lucky enough to be part of many different workshops in different capacities. Recently our older circus artists learnt about the dance style of STREB Dance Company<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n
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