Circus arts for the integration of disadvantaged adolescents
Project supported by
"Zip Zap Circus France" Association was formed in 2013 with the purpose of promoting and supporting the activities of "Zip Zap Circus School” social circus school. The Zip Zap social circus school, founded in 1992, uses circus arts as a key to personal fulfilment, social integration, job creation, the promotion of respect and tolerance.
The project aims at reinforcing the self-esteem of the girls and boys suffering from the evils of the South African society. Accessing education is a major obstacle for the fulfilment of youth from the slums of Cape Town. The initiative’s purpose is to foster integration into the South African society, by using circus arts and acrobatic practice as levers for fulfilment and renewal of confidence for youngsters aged 7 to 20. The total cost of the project is estimated at €61,880.
Context
In 2020, South Africa had over 59 million inhabitants. About a third of its population, which represent 32.6 % of the South Africans is aged between 15 to 64. This part was unemployed between January and March 2021, a peak since the creation of these quarterly statistical surveys. This is reflected in the situation of the households, 89 % of which are in food insecurity and 73 % of the adults have dropped out of school before middle school.
Given this alarming situation and the youths’ need of reinsertion, Zip Zap Circus is implementing a programme tailored to the poorer youngsters’ aspirations using the circus as an opportunity to make a name for themselves in the world of work. School dropouts are many and juvenile delinquency is winning over several of these young from the slums.
Objectives
- Improving the circus residents’ mental health and psychological well-being
- Maintaining parity in the numbers of residents per class (50% girls and 50% boys)
- Reinforcing the students’ acrobatic capacities
- Building up the circus residents’ empowerment potential
Activities
- Circus programmes customised for youths aged 7 to 12, 13 to 16 and 14 to 20
- Building circus residents’ artistic capacity
- Introduction to income-generating activities
Impacts
- The number of beneficiaries is 9362
- Professional and social integration of circus residents
- Reducing the number of school dropouts
- Financial empowerment
Photo credit : Zip Zap Circus France
Location
South Africa
Project led by
Zip Zap Circus France
Start date
Date to be defined
Project status
Project already funded
Sustainable development goals
Last projects published
Good health and well-being
“Wangourou légué ti séni”
Central African Republic
Enfant du Bénin Debout
Good health and well-being
Promoting girls’ health thanks to football in Malawi
Malawi
Ascent Soccer
Good health and well-being
Training coaches in youngsters’ supervision
South Africa
Training4Changes
Good health and well-being
Vulnerable girls’ empowerment via surfing
South Africa
Nine Miles Project
Good health and well-being
Tackle Africa : Sexual health through football
Burkina Faso
Tackle Africa
Sustainable cities and communities
AGORA programme for grassroots sport
Côte d’Ivoire
WinWin Afrique
Good health and well-being
Midzo-Midzo: promoting young people’s well-being through sport
Togo
CADEV
Gender equality
Emancip’action in Burkina Faso through rugby
Burkina Faso
Burkinabe Rugby Federation
Good health and well-being
“Wangourou légué ti séni”
Central African Republic
Enfant du Bénin Debout
Good health and well-being
Promoting girls’ health thanks to football in Malawi
Malawi
Ascent Soccer
Good health and well-being
Training coaches in youngsters’ supervision
South Africa
Training4Changes
Good health and well-being
Vulnerable girls’ empowerment via surfing
South Africa
Nine Miles Project
Good health and well-being
Tackle Africa : Sexual health through football
Burkina Faso
Tackle Africa
Sustainable cities and communities
AGORA programme for grassroots sport
Côte d’Ivoire
WinWin Afrique
Good health and well-being
Midzo-Midzo: promoting young people’s well-being through sport
Togo
CADEV