When Silence Speaks
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Last week at Baan Unrak was filled with creativity, laughter, and meaningful learning. Eleven of our children took part in a special puppetry workshop, where they explored how to create puppets using recycled newspaper and discovered the magic of storytelling through performance.
The workshop was guided by José Antonio, a Venezuelan puppeteer who has been living in Spain for many years. He is the director of Paperformances, an initiative that uses recycled paper in its creative work, inspiring children to see how simple materials can be transformed into powerful tools for expression.
Throughout the week, the children learned the basics of puppetry, from crafting their own characters to understanding how movement and gesture can bring a story to life. They practiced expressing emotions through their puppets, using body language, rhythm, and simple techniques to communicate feelings without words. It was a hands-on experience that encouraged imagination, teamwork, and self-expression.
This year, we also welcomed new children into our Baan Unrak family. To help them feel included and connected, they were invited to join this activity alongside the other children.
Even though language can sometimes be a barrier, especially in our diverse community, they were able to participate fully. Through the puppetry performance, they expressed themselves beautifully and communicated their message in a powerful way. It was truly inspiring to see how they could connect with others beyond words.
One of the most beautiful aspects of this workshop was how it naturally overcame language barriers. At Baan Unrak, our children come from different ethnic backgrounds, and spoken language can sometimes create distance. But this performance was different; it was a silent play. Without any dialogue, the children used their handmade puppets to tell a story, inviting the audience to interpret its meaning through actions and emotions.
And it worked wonderfully. Both children and adults watching the performance were able to understand the message clearly. There were no words spoken, yet everyone connected deeply with the story.
The theme of the final performance focused on raising awareness about bullying and violence. The purpose of this performance was to help children recognize these situations in real life, understand their impact, and feel empowered to respond positively.
Through storytelling, the children explored how small actions like standing up for a friend, showing kindness, or asking for help can make a big difference. The goal was not only to reflect on the problem, but also to inspire compassion, courage, and a sense of responsibility toward others.
Through simple but powerful scenes, the children showed what it means to stand up for others, to offer help, and to act with kindness. The story included moments where a character was being bullied, and others stepped in to stop the situation and support their friend, offering a positive example of empathy and courage.
This one-week visit from a puppeteer brought so much more than just a fun activity. It created a space for learning, creativity, and reflection. The children not only learned how to make and perform with puppets, but also how to communicate important values, respect, compassion, and helping one another through art.
We are proud of all 11 children who participated. Their enthusiasm, cooperation, and willingness to learn made this experience truly special. It was a reminder that sometimes, even without words, the most important messages can still be heard loud and clear.
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