Performing Life was founded in 2005 in the United States by John Connell. It is a non-profit organization that helps youth who are working and/or living on the streets of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Our mission is to empower street youth by teaching them performing and visual arts as productive skills for avoiding drugs and delinquency while improving their economic well-being. Performing Life helps youth to establish savings accounts and develop small businesses for self-sufficiency.

Perfoming Life works with two different groups of Children and Youth existing in Cochabamba: One group who work in the streets to support themselves or their families (Working Youth), and another group who are working and living on the streets (Street Youth).
Aside from the organization's focus on youth, since Febuary 2009 there is a new project going on, which works with underprivilidged Women and their families.

There are a wide variety of projects organized by Performing Life:
- The Performing Arts Classes are the core of what Performing Life is. We give free classes on performing arts, including juggling, diabolo, and poi, that the youth can use to increase their income and thereby have more time for school and studying.
- Music is the creative focus of this project with youth who live/work on the streets.
- The Film Project teaches the kids acting, scripting, and filmmaking techniques.
- The Bracelet Program is a youth-managed enterprise. They do bracelets to sale.
- Youth Home Outreach to provide creative activities that help youth residing there to make the transition from street life to that in a Youth Home.

Currently we need volunteers to: improve and maintain the web page, teach performing arts (circus, theater, music, dance, etc.) and help with the women.

Preferably, volunteers should make a minimum commitment with Performing Life for 3 months, speak basic Spanish and be willing to work at least half-time with Performing Life. Exceptions can be made for volunteers with specific valuable skills.

Cochabamba

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