Youth Programme Isiseko
Isiseko, founded in 2009 is an entry programme for kids from diverse backgrounds into the circus.
Isiseko, meaning ‘foundation’ offers participants just that: a foundational understanding of and training in physical strength, circus techniques and the creative process. This recreational programme takes place once per week, on Saturday mornings for 2 hours, during which time children are encouraged to attempt a variety of circus skills, and to play and learn together. The primary aims are for children to develop a basic level of circus skills, and enable them to experience the value of diversity and teamwork. Through their weekly engagement, they develop a sense of belonging, a willingness to learn new skills and enjoy the rewards of positive social interactions.
Social Challenge
A lack of recreational facilities results in young people getting involved in anti-social behaviour. Children still experience racism and other forms of discrimination, such as sexism. Many children have a low self-esteem and may find it hard to cope with daily challenges.
Programme Goal
For children and youth to develop a basic level of circus skills, and enable them to experience the value of diversity and teamwork.
IMPACT
Zip Zap’s Isiseko programme is very popular and welcomed 82 participants during the 2022 programme year. The children were very excited to work towards their goals of learning circus skills across a variety of disciplines, and most participants reported learning what they had hoped to during the training sessions. The programme encouraged physical activity in a creative environment, and the children were able to develop, grow and learn through play. Physical assessments helped instructors to assess the progress and capabilities of the participants and also ensured effective programme content to meet programme objectives.
Participants view Zip Zap instructors as role models and this helped all the children to feel safe, motivated and nurtured throughout the programme. The Isiseko programme instils greater confidence in the majority of the participants, which created a huge amount of excitement as the children prepared to showcase all they had learned during the programme year at the annual year-end Programmes Show & Tell event.
The programme fosters diversity and creates the ideal space for children from various backgrounds to create friendships, learn from each other and grow together within the group. These are key components to encouraging teamwork, which is central to the programme.
Beneficiaries
Sessions
Instructors
Coaching Support
Advanced to Simunye
Sponsors
A Rising Star
Leah Roman
Leah Roman is 11 years old and attends Springfield Convent School in Wynberg, Cape Town. She was inspired to join Zip Zap after watching one of our shows. She joined the Isiseko programme in 2020, aged 8 years old. Being naturally shy, her mom believed that joining the programme would provide valuable opportunities for Leah to make new friends, learn new things and grow in confidence – all of these have indeed happened!
Leah’s favourite discipline is aerial scarf, although she has also tried trapeze. She knows that there is lots of hard work that remains if she is to reach her goal of becoming a professional circus performer, travelling, and performing, and experiencing other circuses across the world.
Leah works consistently hard and perseveres until she has reached her goal. All her hard work and commitment was rewarded when she was awarded of the 2022 Shining Star Award in the Isiseko programme, celebrating her outstanding achievements in
developing skill, talent, and technique in her selected circus discipline!
For more information on how to join one of our programmes, email
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