Solidary Circus Arts
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The Courageous Kids Foundation is a self-managed orphanage located in Blantyre, Malawi, and home to over 90 children.
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After a successful pilot project in April 2023 — and with the invaluable support of artists from Zimbabwe and Malawi, including circus performers, choreographers, and directors — Courageous Kids – The Malawian Circus School was officially launched in summer 2023.
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The team provided a comprehensive program for the children and young adults of Blantyre, including trainer training, show creation, theoretical courses (on rigging, safety, etc.), hands-on workshops, and networking with our contacts in the African circus community.
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At the same time, due to the dilapidated condition of the center, major renovation work was undertaken: the construction of a covered hall for circus and sports activities, conversion of shipping containers into a media library, the creation of separate dormitories for boys and girls, and the building of an office and a new traditional kitchen, among other improvements. We work exclusively with local craftsmen.
2023/2024
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Multiple appearances on national television, participation in various festivals, workshops held in schools, and regular weekly classes at the orphanage taught by local acrobats and B-Boys. We collaborated with some of Malawi’s top artists, including on a music video for singer Namadingo, which reached 420,000 views in one month!
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We funded a 2-hectare farm and celebrated the first harvests (because eating well is key to doing circus!), purchased a bus (for school runs, material transport, and event logistics), and carried on with infrastructure development.
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​​​​2024/2025
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2 Exchanges between Courageous Kids – The Malawian Circus School and Circus Zambia in Lusaka: an opportunity to see professional contemporary circus, build networks, attend intensive workshops in acrobatics and theatre, and accompany Circus Zambia educators in their daily work.
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Meeting with the organization Theater for a Change in Lilongwe
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Continuation of training — now run independently by the local team
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Ongoing contact with the German Embassy in Lilongwe — a key partner for the planned Malawi-Germany exchange in 2026/2027
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Building new partnerships (with schools, etc.)
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Funding the construction of an on-site borehole
Harique Musasa, field coordinator
"Circus is more than just a performance art to me; it’s part of my life, its part my everything coz it brings more to me and it brings Happiness. It is a captivating world of imagination and skills. Being a part of a circus brings a sense of wonder and excitement that's hard to replicate elsewhere. The physical demands of circus arts encourage discipline and push boundaries, fostering mental resilience and confidence. For me, it's a playground of creativity where we learn teamwork, develop trust within a group, and build lifelong friendships. Taking the circus school into our own hands, it's about embracing the DIY spirit. Learning and teaching circus skills can empower individuals to explore their potential, promote a healthy lifestyle, and instill a passion for the arts that extends beyond the stage, there’s alot of what Circus means to me and to us, Let me not talk more about it, but you'll recognize its significance by seeing how we do it."
