Children shine at Harare festivals

A good number of children living on the streets of Harare went through acrobatics and puppetry programmes. Some of them decided to perform both art forms during the Harare International Festival of the Arts in May 2009. Their performances aimed at breaking negative stereotypes about children on the street.

In July 2009, the same children performed at the Allied Arts Festival – mixing acrobatics, hip hop and puppetry. The festival has been running for decades. Children of private schools compete in speech and drama before a professional jury. Never before had disadvantaged children entered the festival (and the competition).

Other disadvantaged children (but not street children) who had gone through poetry and hip hop programmes also competed in the festival. 2 groups mixed drama with poetry and hip hop. And 4 teenage girls recited personal poems which they had written on their own. 

All entrants did very well. The group of street children met with a standing ovation, came out tops in their category, and were honoured with the opportunity to close the big final concert of the festival. An experience of a life time for all children involved…

Oasis children performing at Allied Arts (part 1)

Oasis children performing at Allied Arts (part 2)

 
Chiedza children performing at Allied Arts

Streets Ahead children performing at Allied Arts