How can we help?

The circus has nothing materially. It exists today because of the strength of character of Wude and her family, who really want to produce something worthwhile for their community. The extraordinary zest and pride of the young performers is testament not only to their aspirations and abilities, but also to their determination to forge a life for themselves in a land where life too often hangs by a thread.

Of itself the circus is not a great money maker. Performances are very often given in the street, or in a market square, where audiences are "catch-bag", and an admittance fee, even when it is possible to levy it, does not amount to very much.

So what are the needs of these youngsters? Wude says:

"Equipment! Money, of course, but with good equipment we would be in a position to make our own money.

We need proper tumbling mats. We need a decent music system - amplifiers and the like, a keyboard and any and all other kinds of musical instruments. We could use a video camera, a stills camera, a Polaroid camera. We need bicycles. How about a uni-cycle? I bet you all the children here would know how to use it within an hour...! We need material to make more uniforms and costumes. We need footwear, juggling clubs, large storage boxes or baskets..."

The shopping list is large, but so too is the enthusiasm of every member of the Yenegew Tesfa Circus.

The easiest thing for Canadians to send is money, and for this the Friends of the Yenegew Tesfa Circus was founded. Our donations from outside are of immediate use in Bahir Dar – for food, clothing, circus equipment, school fees, books, travel to outlying districts for performances, et cetera. Pennies go a long way in Ethiopia.: Please consider becoming one of the Friends of the Yenegew Tesfa Circus. Individually and collectively we can help in a very real way.

How to contribute

Cheques should be made out to the Diocese of British Columbia, memoed "YT Circus – Ethiopia Fund", and sent to: 

    The Diocese of British Columbia
    900 Vancouver Street
    Victoria, B.C  V8V 3V7
    Canada
    (250) 386-7781

Within the Diocese, donations may also be made through individual parishes with cheques memoed "YT Circus - Ethiopia Fund".

A Story in Stones Another way to support the Yenegew Tesfa Circus is to purchase a copy of Jeremy Hespeler-Boultbee's new book, A Story in Stones, a study of Portuguese influences on Ethiopia during the 16th and 17th centuries, as evidenced by architectural remnants. Proceeds from sales of this book are designated for the Circus. See the publisher's web site for details.