10月底總是充滿著萬聖節的氣息，但嚮光協會為了提供孩子們更不一樣的文化課程，我們選擇了在台灣比較少人知道的『墨西哥亡靈節』介紹給孩子，希望透過這樣的節慶跟孩子們一起探討生與死甚至是鬼魂與亡靈。
This is one of my favorite time of the year for workshops when I become especially inspired by the different ways the dead are honored. Day of the Dead is an oft misunderstood celebration and it’s always interesting to bring up the issues of cultural appropriation, stereotypes, and identity at this time in a creative workshop.
這次我們準備了可以重複使用的梅森玻璃杯，跟孩子一起創作彩繪，從介紹墨西哥亡靈節的文化歷史開始，讓孩子發想創意，在一邊創作的過程中一邊陪伴孩子，跟他們聊天，介紹文化挪用、自我認同、刻板印象等的社會意識觀念。
老師Grace從創作草稿開始帶著孩子發想，利用玻璃專用的3D立體彩繪筆與螢光顏料，讓孩子畫出屬於自己的亡靈節玻璃燈！大朋友們協助孩子把亡靈節不可或缺的蠟燭放入杯中，美麗的作品就完成了！孩子們都非常滿意自己的作品，驚豔得不得了呢！
透過這樣一對一親密的互動課程，我們也跟泰雅族的孩子們聊到了很多不一樣的原民文化，也讓我們對孩子有了更多的認識。
午餐我們準備了墨西哥豆泥捲，介紹平常孩子不會吃到的特殊食材，透過飲食介紹不同國家的文化，餐後孩子也帶著大朋友們參觀他們的學校桃山國小，細說校園中壁畫的泰雅傳說，一起打籃球嬉戲，一起在草地上奔跑。
這一次課程參與的大朋友與小朋友人數較少，卻意外地完成了我們因為缺乏人力而很難達成的一對一教學（平時大都一對二到一對三），讓大朋友跟孩子有了更多的互動與談天、嬉戲的時光，讓最重要的『陪伴』更上一層樓！期待未來的日子裡有更多的大朋友加入我們的行列，一起陪伴孩子，與孩子互相學習豐富彼此的人生!
更多照片： https://goo.gl/Gf9ewh
老師 Teacher：Grace Hsu
攝影師：Rhea Chou
大朋友： 李思儀
贊助者 Sponsors: 莎祿有限公司｜施中民｜捷式股份有限公 Jimmy Sun｜傢櫥 MOODIWOOD | Carol Wu | 宋偉萍 | 黃嘉華| Richard Jack/Sarah Milne | Plants 植宿餐飲股份有 | Yuting Hung
特別感謝 Special Thanks:桃山國小 蘇美娟 | 林育宏 | 丁神父 Father Barry Martinson | Hanna 哈那 | Sabrina Sutherland ，3D彩繪筆捐贈者（匿名）
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This is one of my favorite time of the year for workshops when I become especially inspired by the different ways the dead are honored. Day of the Dead is an oft misunderstood celebration and it’s always interesting to bring up the issues of cultural appropriation, stereotypes, and identity at this time in a creative workshop.
We were able to get ahold of some glass jars and donated “glass” appropriate paints. With veteran Teacher Grace going through the background of Day of the Dead and viewing some of the indigenous art and reasons behind the symbols, kids sketched and translated the imagery onto the jars. Today was a small class – meaning silence – so the kids were able to focus on the project. When they finished, vivid colors streaked across the jars and the paper they had a look of satisfaction their faces.
We didn’t have many kids attend today as there was a separate event that was taking place, but our diehard Bright Side fans that were able to make it told us they were happy that for once the class size was so much smaller and they could have chance to really chat with us! Regardless if the class size was 100, 50, 15, 10, or even just 1, we will spend the same amount of energy and effort in the creation of the educational course and the plant-based meals we share with the children.
For lunch we prepped the Southern California interpretation of Mexican food, with plenty of guacamole before heading out on a walk to Taoshan Elementary School with them. We were happy to share the moments and chat with them as they introduced some aspects of their indigenous Atayal culture that was evident throughout the mountaintop school. We are grateful for this opportunity and day with our friends! It’s amazing that we’ve known them for over five years from when they almost first entered the school! Thank you for your support so we can continue our lifelong journey.
