OUR FIRST PROJECT

Our First Project: Empowering Young Previously Disadvantaged South African Women through Circus Arts

We are currently starting to fundraise for a minimum of 3 bursaries for young women of colour who have matriculated. They must be from previously disadvantaged areas and be physically inclined. We will find these 3 females through a fair and open process. We will advertise in local communities and hold auditions of which the 3 females who will most be suited to succeed will be picked.

To secure a successful and stress-free scholarship in the circus arts for 2 years, these young ladies will be paid a decent monthly allowance to secure safe travel to and from the training venue and to cover basic living costs and needs. In Year 1 all the young ladies will be trained initially in the basics of different circus skills where, in Year 2, they will then be able to pick 2 circus acts they will specialise in. This will turn them into elite circus athletes. As part of their 2 year training, the students will also give back to their communities by doing regular free workshops, with supervision, at primary schools in their communities. At the end of their 2-year training program, we will then take the role as their agents and secure them contracts in different circuses and theatres and other performing opportunities such as cruise ships. The agent commission fee will go back into the South Africa Circus Arts Academy to fund this project and many other projects.

Click here for our First Month Schedule.

We will only start this program once the budget for year 1 has been raised. This is to ensure sustainability and the success of the program, so it can run without any interruptions and lower the risk of drop out possibilities.

“The unemployment rate for women is higher than that of men, and women are less likely to participate in the labour market,” said Risenga. Black women are the most vulnerable, sitting at 34.2% followed by coloured women at 23.5%. Whites were the least affected at 6.7%. Mail & Gradian, Thulebona Mhlanga, 13 Feb 2018 15:43 (https://mg.co.za/article/2018-02-13-unemployment-lower-but-black-women-the-youth-remain-the-most-vulnerable)

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2 Year Budget for Previously Disadvantaged Woman Empowerment Project

The budget for Year 1 includes a once-off expense for advertising and recruitment. Monthly expenses included a student allowance, equipment rental and maintenance, food costs, building expenses, instructor salaries, bookkeeper and auditor fees. Year 1’s budget comes to a total of R648 800.

Year 2 includes a once-off expense for student’s costumes and equipment. All monthly expenses will increase by between 5%, this is to account for inflation. Year 2’s budget comes to a total of R719 940.

The overall total for the 2 year period for a minimum of 3 students comes to R1 368 740.

Click here for the Budget Breakdown.

Additional Student Budget

To allow for another student to join the program beyond the 3 student minimum, we need an additional R140 460 for the 2 year period. Year 1 and Year 2’s monthly expenses included equipment rental and maintenance, student allowance, food costs and water.

Year 2 includes a once-off expense for the student’s costume and equipment. All monthly expenses will increase by between 5%, this is to account for inflation.

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We appeal to the public and corporate sector to help with this wonderful circus arts creation project. Any donation will be appreciated and put in the SACAA bank account until the full project amount has been raised. The project will be an open book both with the training and finances. Any remaining funds will be used for future South African Circus Arts Academy projects. We look forward to creating a platform for our employees and volunteers to uplift and empower historically/previously disadvantaged South Africans.

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SOUTH AFRICAN CIRCUS ARTS ACADEMY (NPC)

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CEO and Treasurer:

NICHOLA JANE SLAVERSE

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Vice-Chairperson and Secretary:

ROXANNE NICOLE ANDREWS

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Director and Operations Manager:

FRANCIOS FABIAN ROOS