© 2001 Manuel Bauer.
Travelling for the first time outside Rumania, Chera, Orac, Artur, Nicolae, Lacramioara, Costin, Marius and Christi head to the North of Italy, to perform as clowns in villages and schools and even in front of medieval palaces, something they would never even have dreamed of before joining Miloud and his circus Parada.
"Your life has a perspective now, please take the chance, do it for yourself! Do not forget - you want to show what you have achieved, you are artists - not just homeless children anymore" says Miloud, a former French street clown, who’s teaching juggling, acrobatics and pantomime to the homeless children.
In 1992 when Miloud; still living in Paris, saw on television, what was happening to the Rumanian children after the revolution, he packed up his artist equipment and left to help and live with them.
The first contact the children have with Miloud is through the social workers at a day care center, where Miloud and his assistants meet and talk to them about the art of a circus clown. Children who are off drugs and who are willing to learn, get food and shelter. Those who wish to stay with Miloud and his circus, stay for a period of three years. During that time, they learn not only a profession, which, very importantly they could use afterwards, but gain self esteem. During the course of their studies social workers help and support them.
Miloud ‘s project has received the UNICEF prize as well as being honored by Pope Jean Paul himself. By now the project has become so successful, that the scheme receives finance from numerous international organizations.
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