Potential behind bars

In the past, classes were held for at a detention center for minors in Addis Ababa. Participants were young residents charged with small crimes such as petty theft, begging or taking drugs.

“We have noticed our work has a double impact,” Destino said on its website. “On the one hand, it helps children change their aggressive behavior, recover their trust in themselves and be reinserted into society; and on the other hand, it facilitates and improves the relationship between the children and the center staff.”

The company follows a two-pronged strategy. “We are using dance to help the community, working around different issues of Ethiopian society - like child marriage, HIV/AIDS and disability,” Demissie said. Destino is going to schools and different cities in Ethiopia to create awareness of these issues.

They also perform outside Ethiopia, mostly in the West, to promote Ethiopian culture.

“Our plan for 2018 is to organize a tour in Europe and perform and teach in different countries as we did in 2014-15,” Marta Romero added. “Mainly, our vision is that dance can be a perfect tool to transform lives, not only in Africa, but around the world.” (Reporting from Addis Ababa)