MUSCAT - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently organised a three-day puppet workshop at City Seasons Hotel Muscat.

The main aim of the workshop was to train participants to use puppetry as a tool of communication.

Organised by the Youth Peer Education Network (Y-PEER), the workshop saw participation from the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Health and the Oman Association for Disabled. Y-PEER will also stage two puppet shows at this year's Salalah Tourism Festival. "This year, around 28 members participated in the workshop.

The puppets were made using recycled materials as we also wanted to promote environmental conservation. Puppetry has always been a means to communicate and connect with the society," said Omar al Balushi a member of Y-PEER. "We just provide basic skills in puppeteering and then it is up to the people to see how they can use it to convey messages among the public. It is an attractive and a captivating medium," Balushi added.

Meanwhile, Azza al Badi who had participated in the workshop last year said, "Last year I learnt how to make a character and use hands to make the puppets talk. I would advise everyone to become a member of Y-PEER as it helps connect youth in the region with this simple yet enriching art form." Y-PEER is a comprehensive youth-to-youth initiative pioneered by UNFPA and has been established in 48 countries including Oman.

see news report at: http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/Y-PEER-to-stage-two-puppet-show…