The project in summary
Artistic workshops in shelters for street children, culminating in the production of a show to be presented in the marginal communities and at the Barefeet Youth Art Festival in Lusaka.
Using theatre as a powerful tool to give voice and a means of expression to marginalized children and youth of Zambia; sensitizing the community to the importance of education for vulnerable children; promoting the breakdown of the social stigma associated with street children, the disabled and HIV affected people.
390 vulnerable children and youths, living in marginalized communities in Lusaka and 2 other districts (Kitwe and Kabwe) participating to workshop and performance; 445 street children; the public of the Barefeet Youth Art Festival.
Barefeet Theatre uses a multi-dimensional approach based on various artistic expressions (theatre, music and dance), psycho-social support, creativity and self-expression (through the “Participatory Process Performance” method) in order to tackle themes or subjects of interest to the young participants, thus sharing their concerns and responding in this way to the needs of vulnerable children living in marginal communities of 2 districts of Zambia.
In 2018, the project, supported by AMI, foresaw artistic workshops in shelters for street children located in marginalized communities for vulnerable children and youths, culminating in the production of a performance presented in their respective communities (in public spaces such as markets and squares) and at the Barefeet Youth Art Festival in Lusaka.
The project also foresaw the realization of street activities, visits and dialogues with street children, identifying their problems and possible solutions (such as reinsertion in families or hosting in rehabilitation centers).
During the Barefeet Youth Art Festival, all 40 groups that work with Barefeet presented their performance, which has been prepared during the workshops. This is a unique opportunity for the children to perform for a larger public at the national level along with international artists from around the world, providing them with inspiration from positive role models and the shared enthusiasm for performance.
