Clear the ring!

The Oberstrasse primary school in Bochum-Langendreer wanted to do something extra special to mark its 130th anniversary. It therefore hired a real live circus which had promised in advance to let the little ones have their very own moment of fame in the ring. But before all the would-be conjurors, clowns, animal tamers and acrobats could get down to business, their parents and friends first had to erect a circus tent large enough to seat 400 spectators. When Dr. Martin Muhr, Head of Controlling at RWE Power AG, heard how short-handed they were, he immediately realised that this would make a great RWE Companius project. He and his staff of ten were therefore among those who helped raise the big top and dismantle it again afterwards – whether by hammering in tent pegs, fixing the guys or tying together the wall panels. “It was terrific fun and great to be doing hard physical labour for a change,” says Ruhr. “It was also interesting to see just how fast such a huge marquee can be put up.”
 
The helpers were supervised by the members of Circus Sperlich, which has been organising school projects such as this for 20 years. With the help of both their teachers and the circus professionals, the children then learned to perform a range of circus acts, which by the end of the week they were able to perform live in front of their proud parents, friends and families.  Not only was the circus week great fun, but it also taught the children the advantages of team work and helped boost body confidence.
Muhr himself, whose daughter is a pupil at the Oberstrasse school, was thrilled with the results. “A fantastic experience! The children gained more self-confidence in that one week than in the rest of the year put together!”