Teach about Peach Perch

DATELINE: July 26, 2013
Patricia E Lyon

We wondered how many of our students could read or write. I found the idea of the peace purse in a book in the U.S.A. They called it the "Artsy Clutch". I noticed the fabric was canvas drop cloth with lining of just about anything that was interesting. Then you add a pony tail holder and interesting button for the closure. I did have canvas fabric donated from Emily after she covered her entire ceiling with Menard's drop cloth for a magic-show-birthday event. People donated interesting one-of-a- kind buttons. The book suggested that you could paint on the canvas with fabric paints or use magic markers to make a design. I made the jump to Khmer writing which the people liked from Cloth Book Project. Or if the student could not write, they could make a picture.

In the U.S.A., I made two examples of the peace purse. One was on a pillow ticking fabric that allowed for writing on lines and the other was on the canvas drop cloth. I wrote a little story about myself and family in the U.S.A. I encouraged the class to write their idea first on a piece of paper, then we would write on the fabric. A woman in the class who usually acts as a leader seemed to be lacking confidence in her writing. She had her brother write on the fabric. It was not good. Smeared all over on one side and a large mark on the other. And brother only come to visit. Now gone.

I asked Mony to translate. Can she write? Yes, she could, but she did not think it was good. I said, "it does not matter if it is good, but if it is from you like a present. Your idea from your mind, your heart."

Deanna suggested that perhaps the students did not understand the concept of peace purse. At the next class, I invented a small drama to teach about peace. I pretended to pick a fight with Mony, putting up my fists and making a face. Then I said "opposite of peace." Then Mony got it. He went off on a tangent about Khmer Rouge time and Pol Pot.

I told them "many people in U.S A. feel sad about Khmer Rouge Regime. They remember about war. When they see your purse from Cambodia they will remember and think about you." Mony translated. Big discussion followed. They liked.

They wrote stories. They showed each other their “peach perch.” They wrote Khmer alphabet. Write, sew, press, show teachers. Teacher like. They like. Okay, good. Sa'at. (Beautiful).