Senegal: the circus, a pastime to get children off the streets

In Dakar, Senegal, it is impossible to miss them. Children are forced to beg and are sometimes exploited. They are constantly looking for something to eat. They are called “the talibés”. They would be more than 100,000 in the country. Some are sometimes no more than five years old. Their parents often do not have enough to support them and place them in Koranic schools. Their daily life therefore consists of studying religion and begging. Junior hated that childhood, so he did everything to get out of it. He became a professional acrobat. He is angry because nothing has really changed. Every week, he gives free circus lessons to talibés.

For two hours, the children have fun and forget about their daily lives. Junior wants to train professionals among them. “At first it was just to channel their energy and everything, but over time we realized that they have a good level and they really like to do circus.”Explain Zosssports coach. Two already stand out: Ibrahim and Thierno. They came 2nd and 3rd at the National Gymnastics Championships.