Chinese/English Rhymes That Bind

Our first bilingual Rhymes That Bind program has been running since May 1998. This Chinese/English Rhymes That Bind runs every second Tuesday at the Chinese United Church, 10152-96 Street.

Facilitator Miranda Fung has translated Chinese rhymes into English and English rhymes into Chinese. They are sung in both languages to the delight of babies, parents and grandparents.

A core group of 15 families attend on a regular basis. The program starts at 1pm with Baby Talk, an information session on growth and development. Then there is a break for snack. Soon the parents and children gather around Miranda and the singing begins. Amid lots of laughter, much learning takes place.

This group continues from Sept. 1st until November 24th, 1998. Drop in and experience the enthusiasm.

Oh! what a sight it was! Fourteen men and women, half a dozen kids (including one baby), a world renowned film documentarian from New York City, his assistant, all of their equipment, staff members from the Edmonton Art Gallery, a reporter from The Edmonton Journal, and me, fully wired for sound asking insightful questions like, "Does everyone know where the bathroom is?"

We were gathered together at the Art Gallery to take part in a film documentary on the theory and teachings of the late, brilliant Brazilian philosopher, Paulo Friere, who wrote extensively on the power, beauty, and magic of adult education.

The participating men and women came from a writing group in the northeast community of Bannerman with whom I have been working, on and off, for the past three years. Armed with notepads, pens and their own imaginations, the group studies, listened, discussed, and wrote about works of art. Our friend from the gallery, Education Curator Marie Lopes, brought the art to life for them. George Stoney, a film maker who has travelled the world shooting documentaries for the past fifty-odd years, and his camera/soundman, David, shot the footage.

We were at the gallery for the entire day. Then, the next day, we went to Bannerman to see where, and how, the individuals who made up the group lived. George and I interviewed seven of the group members, on camera, to learn more about their lives and the importance they placed on reading and writing.

Their stories were fascinating, heart-breaking, hilarious, and always incredibly real. George was deeply moved and impressed by their openness and willingness to share, not to mention the love they have for writing their own stories down and reading them aloud for all who want to hear.

It was a wonderful two days, but the real work is just beginning. George is off to Brazil to shoot more footage for this film. Here at Prospects, we are set to begin compiling the events of the two days together in a book. It should be fun!

DON TREMBATH