Running Away To The Circus
Condensed by Sara Chu from the article by Jeremy Hespeler-Boultbee & Giles Thorp in the August 2007 issue of The Pew, newsletter of St Barnabas Church, Victoria
For two months this past winter septuagenarian Jeremy Hespeler-Boultbee, an architectural historian who lives now in Victoria, ran away to the circus in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Why did he? Bahir Dar is home turf for the Yenegew Tesfa (children’s) Circus. This is the troupe formed in 1999 by young local acrobatic star and gymnast, Wude Zeleke, to help needy local children, and to create an awareness of the Ethiopian HIV/AIDS crisis. Hespeler-Boultbee first encountered the circus four years ago while doing historical research in Ethiopia. The reality of AIDS in Africa was a life-changing experience for Jeremy and soon he began fund raising for the Friends of Yenegew Tesfa Circus, an organization co-chaired by Bishop John Hannen and Almaz Nagash, with Giles Thorp as treasure and Elinor Powell as secretary. The circus’ effort has caught the imaginations of many in Victoria, and the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia has also agreed to support this circus troupe.
Jeremy says there have been big changes since his visit four years ago. Although HIV/AIDS orphans and street children still form about two thirds of the circus membership, other children have families—but none are well off. The circus has become the hub of life for about 60 young acrobats. Whereas at first the group had to train on a piece of scrub land beside a school, using an old container as an office, now a Danish foundation has made possible the construction of a modest house—offices and a small gym—on a piece of land donated by the local municipality.
More experienced members of the circus travel throughout the Amhara region (Bahir Dar is the capital). The acrobats (there are no animals in the circus) draw audiences of several thousands and are recognized by locals of all economic stripes as popular home-grown talent. Through their agility, their immense skill and discipline, through their showmanship, general deportment and close teamwork, the children exhibit the qualities of role models. Theatre and poetry of movement are coupled with AIDS education. A young acrobat may read a simple direct health message; an “acrobatic play” may be performed; pamphlets are handed out.
An emphasis on good health is believably imparted by young people who are popular with their audience, and are looked up to as role models. Jeremy says, “It is a winning ‘show’ that catches people’s eyes and collective imagination, and it is used as a tool to spread an educational message in regard to health. The special emphasis is on the AIDS pandemic which afflicts about seven million people throughout Ethiopia,”
Circus is popular in Ethiopia the way hockey is in Canada and has proven itself to be by far the most effective means of spreading AIDS awareness, especially in rural (mostly illiterate) communities. Says Jeremy, “Circus generally, and Wude’s Yenegew Tesfa (Tomorrow’s Hope) Circus in particular, has been recognized by all levels of both federal government and local administration to be an essential element in the battle against this and other dreadful diseases. It has the unwavering support of the local Red Cross.”It is difficult and prohibitively expensive to send parcels to up-country Ethiopia. The easiest way to be of real assistance is to send money. Most items required by the troupe can be bought locally or in Addis Ababa, the capital of the country. Very small amounts of money can go a long way over there. Though the Stephen Lewis Foundation helps many countries, currently it does not operate in Ethiopia. Anglicans can donate to the Friends of the YT Circus account, held at the Diocesan office in Victoria.
 |
Are you the Man at Work at the Divine Brunch? |