I believe that the performing arts are one of the best ways to express oneself and achieve personal growth, the performing arts being a creative process as a mean for positive self-expression and confidence building. That is one of the main reasons why I chose Performing Life as a life experience in the volunteer world, wanting to understand the impact the arts can have for better future for children in developing countries.
I currently volunteer, since early September 2016, in the circus program, but am mostly responsible for helping organise the various events the foundation holds should it be for the music or circus program. The events are a way for the children to broadcast their talents and acts learnt throughout time, but also a great window for the association gain more visibility and collect funds. The foundation has three centres: one music studio in town and two circus and educational centres in two poorer neighbourhoods outside of Cochabamba (about 1 hour commute from the city centre where I live), where it’s all about sharing good moments, helping one another and caring about real life basic issues. The kids, from 8 to 22 years old, are very dynamic and eager to learn and improve. Despite being very shy at the beginning they tend to open up with time and share with volunteers more stories about themselves, about their wishes, about the importance of the foundation in their lives. The foundation cares for about 50 kids in the circus program and 40 in the music program. |
So far I can tell that my experience has already been interesting and enriching in some ways.
Despite it taking some time for the kids to get comfortable with a new volunteer, engaging with them is great experience as they are all joyful, keen on encounters and new discoveries. But mostly they are talented and eager to learn and practice new acts, which is inspiring. It makes you feel like anything is possible and it’s just great to know that one can help them on so many levels, and take part in helping them growing up into great teenagers and adults. The managing team of Performing is so welcoming and enthusiastic about each and every volunteer joining the foundation! I’m having a fun time working with them and I find it so inspiring to see how much they give their best for the kids, especially to make them grow beyond the performing arts through great values and life skills. I look forward to my whole experience with Performing Life and hope to able to impact the children’s lives positively. Website: http://performinglifebolivia.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerformingLifeBolivia?fref=ts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1019351598/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PerformingLifeBo |