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As a result, many children are forced to leave school and to work long hours. Often, if a child returns home not having earned enough money for the family during the day, s/he will be beaten or told to return to the street. Their world picture is the stark reality of simply trying to survive from one day to the next. The "world" is often only what they see occurring in their neighbourhood and how to survive the threats in these isolated neighbourhoods is all too real and consuming for them. Theirs is a world of violence, suppression, and continual struggle for the basics of life. The lack of alternatives for social and personal achievement contributes to the serious risks to children who are completely surrounded by a world of drugs, violence and crime. They have virtually no access to education, sports, technical, vocational/professional education, art, and other activities. Official programs are scarce, and private initiatives are limited. Therefore, there is a need for alternatives that tackle this problem.

The School of Comedy and Mime (Escuela de la Comedia y el Mimo) considers itself such an alternative. It is the first school of this kind in the whole of Central America. It is an interdisciplinary and inter-institutional agency that perfectly meets these needs.


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Project Development

The School of Comedy and Mime was initiated in 2001 by Diego Gene, a professional clown and youth theatre director from Venezuela, who settled down in Granada after having worked in different places throughout Europe and Latin-America. Diego rented a house in the suburb "Barrio San Bartolomé", where he started his project with 20 kids and youngsters from poor families.

These 20 boys and girls are trained by Diego and numerous volunteers from all over the world. The school has a twofold multidisciplinary curriculum that on the one hand includes comedy, mime, juggling, acrobatics, puppetry and the like. Coupled with this the prime focus of the school is to enable the students to enter a wide labour market related to their apprenticeship. Therefore, to complement the artistic instruction, there are courses in: reading, maths, computers, graphic design, English as a second language, advertising and accounting. These courses prepare students to become professional performers. There is a ready made market for students with these skills in hotels, summer camps, cruise ships and local/ international cultural centres. Besides promoting training and education Diego takes responsibility for Health Care and assists the children in whatever way he can with their attending regular school. In addition to the core group of full time students, more than 90 girls and boys are being trained in the poor areas and rural communities of Granada.


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Successes and Problems

What started in Granada as an idea, as a dream, has already been carried on unicycles and stilts into the neighbouring countries. Up to 2006 four training camps have been held in San Isidro de El General, Costa Rica. Since Diego's purchasing a 30-year-old Mercedes-Benz-Van the troupe of the School of Comedy and Mime has been active in the whole of Central America. In all, they have held over 300 presentations for more than 60’000 people in cities, towns and far inland villages.

The impact on the communities where the group has performed has been outstanding. The audiences applauded because they could appreciate the professional presentation and the messages of the plays. Audiences were even more delighted with the performances because they were aware that many of the children were products of the margins of society. Thus, the communities enthusiastically received the troupe, not only because of the quality of the performances, but also because they recognized that the students were making positive steps to improve their lives and those of their extended families.

Laughter and enjoyment, a natural by-product of the training, is also an incentive that contributes to alleviate pain and is a remedy that can be used to confront social problems like stress, anguish, and depression - problems which, in a country like Nicaragua whose population has suffered much from civil war, hurricanes and earthquakes, are serious. This non-conventional aspect stimulates the human spirit. Students, fortified with knowledge and skills will bring happiness, smiles and laughter into the often sad surroundings.

Following Diego's invitation, a good number of artists from all over the world have found their way to Granada. They teach acrobatics, juggling, acting and the like with a lot of good will and without being paid. Furthermore, so far forty American and European volunteers have facilitated a creative and well-rounded educational program for the children.

Presently, classes are being held in a small house that only offers little space. In order to allow more children to participate Diego intends to construct a bigger school. Already concrete plans for a building with classrooms, rehearsal rooms, stage, office, living rooms etc. have been made. For this purpose EEF plans the purchase of an estate with over 3,000 square meters.


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Areas of Ongoing Interest

- Professional training of 20 children and youngsters by qualified teachers.
- Further training of about 90 children in the poor areas and rural communities of Granada.
- Provide access to primary and secondary school for the children that are involved in the project.
- Improve physical and mental health of the children through constant surveillance and adequate teachings.
- Provide working experience and increased employment opportunities for these students.
- Show the children alternative ways or life-perspectives so as they can escape from the spiral of poverty, drugs and violence




Support by EEF

Before the engagement of EEF the School of Comedy and Mime had not received regular support. Our donations allow for the continuation of standards currently set. On top of that more performances and tours will be held in the future and continued nurturing of the children's physical and mental wellbeing is guaranteed.
In 2007 the group went on their second European tour. EEF managed to invite them to Switzerland. In two shows in Schüpfen and Bern, the kids astonished the spectators with their fantastic program. Here you can receive some impressions.

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Nicaragua