CAIRO: It can look a bit like aerobics, as participants keep up with steps counted out loud. It looks easy enough. That is until the young performers execute the more complicated hand-stands and head-stands. From the streets of black communities in the United States in the 1970s, hip hop has found its way to the streets of Helwan. Tofulty Foundation for Improving and Developing of the Family and Society has used the art of hip hop dance to empower street children. "Every child has the right to a childhood, Seham Ibrahim, founder of Tofulty (literally 'my childhood') Foundation, said. The organization offers medical care, psychological services, and basic life skills to street children. The development organization Ashoka partnered with Tofulty and other organizations in a Nike-sponsored initiative entitled "sports for gender empowerment. Among the acts featured at their event held at the Gezira Youth Club last month was a performance by children from Tofulty dressed in casual white tees and camouflage trousers. The children basked in the applause. "Hip hop gave my girls and boys lots of self-confidence as everyone clapped to their show, Ibrahim said about the program. "They're already stigmatized, says Mohamed Kadry, outreach officer at Ashoka, about street children. Kadry coordinated Tofulty's participation with the Nike event. "They feel confident when people clap for them, and whistle for them. They feel stronger. The dance has not only strengthened their confidence but also cemented the relationship amongst the children. Dancing together to the beat requires coordination and teamwork. Working together and in separate groups of boys and girls while performing on challenging dance moves, children also learn about gender equality. Sports, said Kadry, also allows for a "peaceful release for stress. Thus through hip hop, the street children can address their pent-up frustrations in a positive fashion while discovering their talent. The brainchild of Seham Ibrahim, Tofulty aims to support children not only by empowering them through education and self-defense, it also ensures support for the families that provide for them. By providing health care, legal aid, and in-kind support to families of children, Tofulty alleviates poverty and prevents children from seeking support in streets where they are subject to abuse. Via the social settlement program, Tofulty has also found independent accommodation for over 70 girls and 120 boys since they started. In 2006, Ibrahim was inducted as a fellow by Ashoka. In the same year, Tofulty founded the gym center for street girls where they learned karate and participated in soccer. In the following year, the gym was expanded to include other endurance and fitness activities, such as hip hop. With trainer Kimberley G, and her assistant Patrick, the children were taught the ins and outs of hip hop in a three-day training. Kimberley was impressed with the children's outgoing approach. They were not afraid to get their hands (or heads) dirty, Patrick observed. They were also extremely flexible and willing to spin their heads on the floor from the first day. Following the sessions, children were asked how they felt about the dance, about themselves, and about sports. Thus the growth of children throughout the project was monitored. Stepping to hip hop allowed the kids to stand out, "to feel unique, as Kadry said. Few stop to take a good look at the children that hold out tissues to be sold, or pursue you for a few pounds. Even fewer engage them in conversation, let alone act upon the responsibility to safeguard their childhood. Cairo streets are rampant with cases of child rape and molestation. Up to one million street children suffer the consequences of poor health and safety, rights that must be provided by a family or its replacement. Among its prized lessons, Tofulty suggests the solution lies in providing specialized programs for families and mothers in particular. Thus relieved of the premature responsibility to taking care of themselves, children can then freely reclaim their childhood on the streets, and dance. Tofulty Foundation can be reached at 65 Street, Ext. of Road 9, Fardous Towers, Hadayek El Maadi, Cairo. Tel/Fax: (02) 2379 3631. Mobile: 012 241 1888. Email: [email protected].
