Inspiring Kids for Life through Social Circus
When we talk about circus, the first thing that comes to mind is clowning, magic, glitters and animals? And yet…. It’s sooo much more! Take a few minutes to understand how the circus, beyond the show, can change lives… (the circus we’re talking about has no animals but only talented humans.)
In 2014, graduated with a bachelor’s degree, my taste for challenges led me to South Africa, where I held the position of marketing manager in the largest social circus in Africa “Zip Zap Circus” in partnership with Cirque du Soleil and Doctors Without Borders. An experience that changed me forever.
Zip Zap what ?
For more than 25 years, the nongovernmental organization “Zip Zap Circus” has offered free circus performance training to children and youth, using circus arts and performance as tools for social transformation, youth empowerment, team building and community upliftment.
The initial aim of Zip Zap was to provide a space for children from various socio-economic and racial backgrounds to come together as a means of encouraging inter-racial contact in a safe, fun environment.
However, over time, Zip Zap has grown to become a fully-fledged social circus school:
In 2017, the circus performed 63 shows for more than 44995 people, 2042 kids received free social circus classes and some of them have performed for presidents and world leaders, most recently for the opening of « Match for Africa 3 » with Roger Federer and a show at the White House for President Obama in 2016.
What is social circus project?
According to Cirque du Monde’s glossary of social circus terms, social circus is an innovative social intervention approach that uses circus arts to promote the personal and social development of people in precarious situations. (including street youth, people living with a physical disability or people of immigrant background. )
In this approach, learning circus techniques is not an end in itself; it is primarily aimed at the development of participants by encouraging their self-esteem, their confidence in others, the acquisition of social skills, the development of a sense of citizenship and the expression of their creativity and potential.
The social circus acts as a powerful lever for social transformation and brings positive changes such as:
- Go beyond your limits, allow the development of self-esteem and self-confidence
- Do physical activity, develop balance, strength and coordination;
- Participate in group activities that promote cooperation, mutual aid and a spirit of solidarity;
- Present shows, which provide an opportunity to showcase your progress to the community.
Why a circus school?
For Alain Pacherie, the boss of Cirque Phénix and director of “CirkAfrica”, the circus operates as a social elevator. Indeed, this discipline now allows young people to learn a job, travel and earn a good living.
The African continent is constantly developing, but the lack of a structured labour market does not allow young graduates (in ever-increasing numbers) to enter working life quickly. But what about those who have no education? More than 50% of young people are unemployed, and the lack of work creates a sense of exclusion and uselessness that leads to violence, drug abuse and extremism.
Not all young children are made to fit in with the conventional school system. Such children may drop out before reaching their full potential. Zip Zap helps them by teaching circus skills to build their self-esteem and develop well rounded life skills. For exemple, the professional young adult programme is a three year cours that includes (Discover all Zip Zap programs in videos)
- Performing (solo and group acts)
- Teaching (methodology, planning and coordination)
- Technicalities of stage (lighting, sound, video, rigging)
- Life skills (English class, computer skills, social work)
- Pratical skills (music, sewing, woodwork, electrical)
Through social circus schools, young circus performers realize that they have become inspiring role models for their peers and that their example can bring new hope. They feel invested with a mission and want to participate at their level in the transformation of their country and the continent. This is where the beautiful stories begin…and this trend is confirmed on the international scene where African artists are becoming more and more visible.
The first Circus Academy in South Africa
For years, the school had operated in a temporary tented structure on leased land. But the tent is not conducive to a teaching environment: noise levels are high and classes cannot be adequately separated.
Zip Zap has long dreamed of having a permanent home, with separate classrooms and its own trapeze hall. This dream had become a reality. With the help of their sponsors, the school has now a site in industrial salt river: The Zip Zap Academy!
Why supported Zip Zap ?
Zip Zap is a qualifying charity — NPO, PBO, Section 18A and Level 1 BBBEE. Zip Zap can issue tax certificates to deduct donations from all taxable income in France, USA, UK and Germany.
By supporting an organisation like Zip Zap Circus, you’ll not only make a difference to a child’s life today, you’ll be making THE difference to children in South Africa. In fact, your donation will provide Zip Zap with a predictable income so that many more children will realise their dream. You are contributing to transform lives, uplift youth, develop skills, improve social cohesion and create a better South Africa.
Never forget that small monthly contributions are extremely helpful when multiplied by 100!
