We have been conducting a multi-faceted series of artistic-humanitarian projects in India and Afghanistan!

In India, Bond Street organized a three-country collaboration between Bond Street Theatre (with guest puppeteer Jenny Romaine of Great Small Works), Exile Theatre of Afghanistan, and Purvabhyas and Mandella Theatres of Delhi. The 10-person, 3-country team enjoyed creative exchanges with Banglanatak in Kolkata, Gandhi Smriti in Delhi, UNICEF-India, Gatividhi Theatre in Bihar, Koshish Theatre in Hyderabad, Spandan Theatre in Bandel, Nandikar Theatre of Kolkata, and many other Indian artists and organizations that use theatre to serve the public good.

Between Feb-May 2007, we reached over 6,000 people with our uplifting workshops and shows for street children, slum dwellers, educators, social workers, refugee children, and other artists. We returned in November to evaluate the impact of our work and found our techniques still thriving! We return again in February-March 2008 to continue our rewarding work in both the small rural villages and the crowded urban centers.

In Afghanistan, thanks to the Riverside Church Sharing Fund and a grant from TCG New Generations, we met with our long-time collaborators, Exile Theatre of Kabul, and artists from the Foundation for Culture and Civil Society. We also offered our services to the Aschiana Center for Street-Working Children in Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul, a wonderful organization that gives working children a hot meal and basic education for one hour daily. In November 2007, we conducted two weeks of intensive theatre training for Mediothek Theatre, a courageous group of girls, ages 12-18, who create original theatre in the conservative city of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan.

For an account of these journeys including personal stories from the road, read our Bond Street Blog at: www.bondstreetblog.blogspot.com

Here is the link to some great photos from India and Afghanistan on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/8531076@N05/sets/

We hope you enjoy them!

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