Children’s circus focuses on fun in war-torn Afghanistan
from: dailytimes.pk
April 24, 2013
In a dusty city of grey concrete blast walls where there’s not always much to smile about, the organisers of a children’s circus try to provide a splash of colour and some moments of joy.
The Kabul-based Mobile Mini-Circus for Children (MMCC) was founded in Afghanistan in 2002, months after the fall of the hardline Taliban Islamic regime which banned music and dance.
Fewer than one million children — and no girls — attended school nationwide at the time.
While other NGOs and government agencies focused on food, shelter and education, MMCC (www.afghanmmcc.org) strove to introduce “soft” values bringing children together to foster a more joyful atmosphere despite frequent hardship.
“It’s a special circus,” said founder David Mason, a former salsa and tango dance instructor from Denmark.
“It’s a circus to educate, give meaning to life, make children happy, make them dream and realise their dreams and gain self-confidence and inspiration.”
Professional adult artists tour and perform for children across the war-torn country.
In the past 11 years, Mason told AFP, the circus and its local partner the Afghan Educational Children’s Circus have attracted a total live audience of more than 2.7 million people in 25 provinces.
At a show in Kabul on Sunday to mark World Circus Day, young performers in colourful cloaks circled a courtyard on rollerskates and headscarved girls showed off their juggling skills.
read more:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013%5C04%5C24%5Cstory_24-4-2013_pg14_7
from: dailytimes.pk
April 24, 2013
In a dusty city of grey concrete blast walls where there’s not always much to smile about, the organisers of a children’s circus try to provide a splash of colour and some moments of joy.
The Kabul-based Mobile Mini-Circus for Children (MMCC) was founded in Afghanistan in 2002, months after the fall of the hardline Taliban Islamic regime which banned music and dance.
Fewer than one million children — and no girls — attended school nationwide at the time.
While other NGOs and government agencies focused on food, shelter and education, MMCC (www.afghanmmcc.org) strove to introduce “soft” values bringing children together to foster a more joyful atmosphere despite frequent hardship.
“It’s a special circus,” said founder David Mason, a former salsa and tango dance instructor from Denmark.
“It’s a circus to educate, give meaning to life, make children happy, make them dream and realise their dreams and gain self-confidence and inspiration.”
Professional adult artists tour and perform for children across the war-torn country.
In the past 11 years, Mason told AFP, the circus and its local partner the Afghan Educational Children’s Circus have attracted a total live audience of more than 2.7 million people in 25 provinces.
At a show in Kabul on Sunday to mark World Circus Day, young performers in colourful cloaks circled a courtyard on rollerskates and headscarved girls showed off their juggling skills.
read more:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013%5C04%5C24%5Cstory_24-4-2013_pg14_7
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