Introduction

The Nonsensemakers set up a subsidiary troupe, which aims to foster mutual understanding among people with different disabilities (including physically handicap, visual impairment, hearing difficulty and ex-mentally illness) and able-bodied people in 2013.  The 2-year project is funded by Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) under Labour and Welfare Bureau, HKSAR government.  We believe that through theatre training and performance, the disabled can better integrate into the society and show their talents through this platform. On the other hand, the able-bodied can gain inspirations, positive and indomitable spirit from their disabled peers. The grant from CIIF will be ended in this September, we are asking for YOUR help to keep the troupe sustainable.  

Problem identification

1. Lack of communications between abled and disabled people​
The society advocates "social integration "concept for many years, but the general public still has insufficient knowledge for disabled people and the general public rarely have opportunity to exchange daily dialogue. Misunderstanding in-between has weakened the toleration for the harmonious coexistence.

2. Lack of connections between various disabled people and their related organization
The society has different organizations to assist disabled people, however, these organizations just serve a single group and there is a lack of diversity. In fact, by sharing the joy and tear among various disabled people and have more cognitive understanding of different disabled people, we believe that they can identify their own dignity and find their inner strengths.

3. Insufficient chance for disabled people to express and develop their talents
Many disabled people have incredible artistic talent and art is a great outlet to express their emotions and feelings, however, because of their physical limitations and insufficient barrier free environment, they are kept “indoor” and “voiceless”. There is no chance for them to nurture their talents and build up their self-confidence.

Rationale

On behalf of the above problems, we would like leverage of “Hand in Hand Capable Theatre” to fill up the social gap in the local disabled policy, i.e., from remedial to developmental which help to widen the horizon of disabled people and build up their social network and self-confident by drama performance. Through the performances and sharing with the community, they can bring laughter and positive energy to the society, thus carry forward the spirit of “life affects life".

Project collaborators

Organizations of various disabled people

1. Ebenezer school & home for the visually impaired
2. Hong Kong Federation of the Blind
3. Hong Kong association of the deaf
4. Silence Organization
5. Concord mutual-aid club Alliance
6. Kwai Chung Hospital Drama group
7. Direction Association for the Handicapped
8. Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre
9. Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth
10. United Christian Nethersole Community health service

Social organizations

1. St. James Settlement
2. Christian Action

Reasons for YOU to support us

• As a local troupe for 25 years, The Nonsensemakers provides professional backup and networks in the drama field for the disabled troupe.
• With the 2-years’ experience of developing “Hand in Hand Capable Theatre” funded by the CIIF which end in September of 2015, we have developed a solid foundation in the resources and social networks in the project.

• Such kind of disabled troupe, which including various disabled people are not yet developed in Asia and Hong Kong can demonstrate this innovative and developmental approach for the well-being of the disabled communities.

If you have any questions about the reward options, please feel free to contact Ms Lo at 9612 7547 or email to [email protected] 

Performance

Coming performance : Star Map

5-6 / 9 / 2015 Yuen Long Theatre Auditorium

Communication story

17/1/2015 invitated by St. James' Settlement

 Queen Elizabeth Stadium

Media Support

TVB Big Boys Club  29-30/12/2014

Magazine《Cosmopolitan》(Dec 2014) Interview