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Source: CCTV.com
11-06-2008
A charitable organization in Cambodia's second city of Battambang has adopted an unusual approach to rescuing street-children at risk. Phare Ponleu Selpak, or "The Brightness of Art", trains kids in how to become circus performers. The organization promises a living wage graduates of the programme.
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| A charitable organization in Cambodia's second city of Battam- bang has adopted an unusual approach to rescuing street-child- ren at risk. |
Phare Ponleu Selpak is an unique school. It's helped to rescue hundreds of vulnerable children since it opened in 1998.
Today, about 130 enthusiastic street-children and orphans attend the circus school. Here, they are trained in all aspects of the circus arts.
"This circus school provides training to vulnerable children whose parents have died from AIDS, who are victims of domestic violence or who have been abandoned. This is an opportunity for them to help educate society through the circus arts while at the same time learning how to work together in a group."
Sok Dina lost her parents to AIDS and has been training at the circus school for two years.
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| Today, about 130 enthusiastic street-children and orphans attend the circus school. Here, they are trained in all aspects of the circus arts. |
Sok Dina, Circus Performer, said, "I'm very happy to be here. I want to learn more so when I grow up I can support myself. Maybe one day I will be famous."
Graduates from the programme travel all over Cambodia holding street-theatre shows that raise awareness of the dangers of AIDS, human-trafficking and domestic violence.
The very best graduates tour with the circus internationally in places as far away as Europe, Japan and the United States.
Public performances are held every weekend. Up to 500 local people and tourists regularly cram into the tent to watch the show. With the money earned from ticket sales, Cambodia's circus school is able to pay its performers a salary every month. That encourages the kids to come back to practice.
The circus school offers these children the means to help themselves and allow them to dream of a brighter future.
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| Phare Ponleu Selpak is an unique school. It's helped to rescue hundreds of vulnerable children since it opened in 1998. |
Editor:Yang Jie
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