A trick or two for participants
GABE project students to learn circus arts
The popular 'Get Active! Be Empowered!' (GABE) Youth Ambassador programme initiated by Kely Support Group and supported by Coca-Cola China will be held again this year.
The programme, which includes circus arts training and health workshops, aims to guide young people towards a healthy and active lifestyle. It also encourages them to actively participate in sports to build up their confidence.
Last year's GABE programme received enthusiastic support from teachers and teenagers. According to Jessie Yee, executive director of Kely,
about 80 per cent of students and almost 100 per cent of teachers want the programme to continue.
This year, more than 1,000 students will attend a health workshop and 100 students from five schools will be appointed Youth Ambassadors to receive circus arts training.
Circus arts include plate spinning, diabolo (the whirling and tossing of a spool on a string tied to two sticks), human pyramid and stilt walking.
After their training, the ambassadors will share what they have learned with schoolmates. Students who took part in last year's programme have been recruited as Venture Ambassadors. They will receive advanced circus arts training and act as mentors to this year's Youth Ambassadors.
Lau Hoi-yan is one of this year's Youth Ambassadors.
'I'm very happy to be selected as an ambassador and to receive the training. Circus arts is very interesting and exciting,' he said.
Victor Tan Siu-hay, a Venture Ambassador, said: 'Practice is very important in circus arts. It looks easy but actually it requires lots of energy and co-ordination.'
The programme ends in January next year. A finale will be held in mid-January with ambassadors, students and teachers giving a circus arts performance.
