Experiences of another world

Firstly - thank you to Peter and Susan for the extraordinary experience of working with Schools for Chiapas on their education programs in Chiapas in November/December 2006. I was very fortunate to join them as theatre director/producer to complement their transgenic corn and neem tree education programs to the Zapatista caracoles. It was a whirlwind tour - initially to propose and plan for the meetings, a weeks break to prepare materials and make a couple of theatre shows, and then revisiting to present various communities.

Wow. It was a lot to learn, confront and share in a short, intense period of time. Never mind the language gaps - Peter was great at bridging them. It was inspirational to observe first hand the integrity of the people and the movement. Sharing the excitement of pinatas with both adults and children was an unforgettable joy. Being invited to the most extraordinary waterfalls that you would never know existed was an honour. And sharing our crazy performance about transgenic corn to a couple of thousand people - internationals and zapatistas - at the first encuentro of peoples for humanity and against neoliberalism in oventik at New Years was a cultural experience that truly represented the role of theatre. Lugging thousands of neem trees through mud soaked fields in the dark also has its romance for a soft aussie girl. But, hearing the stories of attack and displacement from the recently regrouped Zapatista men at Chol de Tumbula has roused my passion to really support these people in their fight for the justices so many of us take for granted.

There were so many beautiful, confronting and inspiring moments. I have been profoundly affected by the Zapatistas and the work of Schools for Chiapas. Now that I am back in Australia, the challenge is in keeping these experiences alive through continued support and awareness raising. I hope to be working with Schools for Chiapas in whatever capacity we manage to invent... there are plans afoot. Stay tuned.