Thoughts on WordPower
Published on: Sunday, August 18, 2019
By: Sylvia Howe
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Jude Day, who runs the KKIFF (KK’s international film festival – in September) introduced me to Susan Bansin and the rest is history. Not only did we realise that we were going to be friends, we also saw that we could work productively and creatively together, which is what we did, with a lot of laughter in between.
It has been a delight bringing WordPower to KK. People were nice about it in the beginning (in a slightly ‘oh yeah?’ way), some sponsors were VERY nice about it and put their money where their mouth is. Some people got involved but weren’t prepared for all the teething problems of making an identity, developing a brand (with all the tentative experiments with logos and such), finding people who got it, signing up volunteers, working with a venue and all the rest. And why should they have been? Running events are the perfect examples of learning by doing.
Who?
Susan’s list of contacts is stunning. Because of that, we put together a really impressive group of facilitators, with help from chance meetings and some suggestions. We started with an idea (English to bridge a gap in Malaysia between business and the creative arts). We raised enough money. We found an NGO to support us (SPArKS, KK’s society for the performing arts). We developed our vision and aims, thought of a slogan (English, at its best, with the best), found people to help, had a logo designed for half price by a generous design company. We invited people to be involved, and everyone said yes. This was encouraging – it might actually be possible...
Where?
We found a venue, the Palace Hotel, which we initially thought we wouldn’t be able to afford. We wouldn’t have been able to, if they hadn’t been very generous with costs. And they have supported us to the hilt, which means that we will probably have it there next year, if Chloe, Stella, Mellie Jane and their team can bear the thought.
Money
We raised our funding (thank you to a few generous people – you know who you are) and kept our accounts. The final tally has to be done, but fingers crossed. Magically, we have remained in the black so far, even though we had a disappointment. A promised amount of money was rescinded, because personnel had changed and we had not been alert enough to get a formal letter – a lesson learned.
What exactly was it?
The most difficult thing was to tell people what exactly the event was going to be. People tried to find something they could compare it with, and failed. It was unique – so far. No event has brought together so many different people to do so many different things, for all ages, learning, enjoyment and simple fun. We were asked if it was English teaching (no), if it was for children or adults (all ages – and the first morning was full of local school children we had invited – who entered into the spirit of the thing with a vengeance). Was it a literary festival? No. A drama festival? No. We kept trying and we are really impressed by the Sabahans who decided to spend their times and money (not a lot) to come and see for themselves.
Spreading the word
As the day approached, we produced a magazine, and sold adverts which went a good way to making up for our unexpected shortfall. It was handed out, for free, all over KK. Our volunteers valiantly put up banners and bunting in central locations (Gaya Street, and Wisam Merdeka), patiently explaining WordPower to everyone who asked.
The press were our next target, and we put together a detailed press pack which went out to all Sabah media. They came to the press launch. Press came, and were positive. They did their stuff. Articles were all over the paper the next day, Breeze did a page and Daily Express reporters stayed throughout the event, filming different sessions and interviewing participants. The marvellous Ben Uzair, a famous voice in Sabah from KK12FM agreed, with no cajoling, to be our MC, and did a sterling job, in all sorts of places at all sorts of times. He also interviewed us many times on the radio. He, like so many, earns our gratitude. RTM1 also interviewed us, and we even got, we think, a slot on their TV news.
The launch
We had a launch party, which was a hoot. People ate fairy cakes, and scones with jam and cream, and the most delicious crustless cucumber sandwiches – thank you Chef Marcel! We had a dummy run, and ate so much (just testing, you understand) we could hardly stand up to leave!
Jenifer Lasimbang was supportive and gracious, and stayed longer than she had meant to! Susan and I explained and introduced, Beverly sang, and so did Prof Hanafie, accompanied by Alton Wong. And finally Rich Gimbang got everyone on their feet and brought the event to a rousing close!
People
The facilitators came from Seminanjung, from Singapore via California, from Barcelona, from the UK, from of course KL.
They never complained, even when sound systems were tricky and rooms were double booked. (Nor did the hotel – they just got on with sorting things out.) Nearly all sessions were well attended, and numbers grew as word spread.
We had drama (Christopher Ling) and improvisational workshops and talks (Qahar Aqila). We had singers and musicians (Beverly Matujal whose album is out this year) and jazz with Professor Hanafie and Alton Wong. A graphic novelist (Edwin Kho) who worked with an animator (Geoffrey Sinn). A writer who ran a creative writing course for adults (Gina Yap), and storytelling with Susan Bansin and the Malaysian legend Normah Nordin, whose CV is longer than the constitution. Emily Barner and I did a presentation and interview skills workshop. Susan and I presented PechaKucha (www.pechakucha.org) which is a really useful and focused presentation tool. Zhuang Wubin talked about his photojournalism, and later was joined by Harry Davies (films), me (mags and features), James Sarda (Editor, Daily Express). That session was a long one, with lots of questions.
We had two events brand new to Sabah: Pechakucha and Tribeless, a wordwide organisation founded by the two Malaysians who attended (their first time in Sabah). The vision and process is best explained by going to their website (www.tribeless.org).
And Christopher Ling brought two talented actors to play The Zoo Story by Edward Albee, which was loved by most and disliked by some. No half way house. All good stuff and ‘just what Sabah needs’ according to many of the audience. We were thrilled at the response, and grateful to Ronald Regis who came in at the last moment to construct a set that brought the play right up and personal! He even valiantly dismantled it so that it can be used again. As I have said, we have been so lucky with our supporters.
Schools
We invited several schools and teachers to attend events, and we have had only good feedback – the students loved the stories and the writing and the joining in, and it was delightful to have them. After the event, we spent a day at Pulau Gaya government school, doing drama and English with the form 4 students, who entered into the spirit of the thing. It was a pleasure for us, and I think for them. We intend to do more of this, in different schools.
All over for this year
We’ve had our last event, we’ve had our closing party (with volunteers leading the karaoke and showing us all that they should have been presenting!). We are clearing out the office, and will have a post mortem meeting very soon, to see how we can make it even better next year. There will be a next year, we promise, and we invite everyone who came, and those who didn’t, to watch for information and put it in their diaries.
Thank you everyone, and see you then!
Oh, one more thing. We will be holding Pechakucha and Tribeless sessions throughout the year to keep WordPower in your minds – look out for them!
You have lots of photos, but if you need any more let me know.
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