Social Circus Project-South Africa

The Social Circus Project is a unique approach at helping vulnerable children over-come trauma, develop self confidence, and learn new skills.

We have partnered with the Zip-Zap academy in Cape Town, as well as SOS Children’s Villages Canada and South Africa to form this exciting new project.

We are working in the Philippi Township, located in Cape Town, South Africa. It is a low-income settlement that faces serious development challenges, such as escalating gangsterism, food insecurity and substance abuse. Children growing up in the area face neglect, physical and psychological abuse as well as domestic and community violence. The Phillipi community thus provides limited opportunities for children to reach their full potential, and few get the chance to leave the township.

The Social Circus is providing 30 children within the Phillipi Township an opportunity to overcome trauma and develop the skills to thrive. Participants are divided into two gender-balanced groups of up to 15. The first one for children 8 – 12 years old and the second one for children aged 13-17.

Each group is attending circus workshops twice a month, on alternating weeks, at the Zip Zap Academy. In total four social circus semesters will take place over two years. At the end of each semester and each year, participants will produce a ‘Show and Tell’, that allows them to work towards a common goal, showcase their achievements and celebrates their successes.

*In partnership with Zip-Zap, SOS Children’s Villages South Africa,

and SOS Children’s Villages Canada