By: James

James — Mon, 19 Jan 2004 14:27:35 +0000

That’s very cool, robert. Thanks for sharing.

By: robert

robert — Mon, 19 Jan 2004 02:00:15 +0000

i happen to know those kids. i donate generously to them. when i first saw them juggling, i thought to myself, bless them, thank goodness they are not sniffing glue, bopping gringos like me over the head for my shoes, whathaveyou. they were not prostituting themselves sexually. as i got to know them, i realized that they had their hearts in performance, they actually wanted to work in the circus, as i had done for many years. so, upon many visits, i really got to know several of them. i brought juggling props for them over the years and they use them to great extent. when i arrive in rio, it is always a heartfelt gathering, many embraces, they know that i know, they know that juggling is a great way to make a living, whether it is on the stage or in the street. i continue to train as many street kids as i can and i will never stop this thing, i feel it is a good thing to do. they teach me a lot as well, not so much about jugggling but about life, how good it can be and how tough it can be. believe it, i have heard it all. i have cryed a million tears over this though i figure if i stop they will not get what they truly deserve, a better chance. for many years i used to think it would be good to donate to some childrens fund, but that was all crazy. i found the streets of rio and the way to make a big difference, at least as far as i was concerned. i had done something. i have seen the saddness in their eyes, the drug-crazed looks in their eyes, though they never took me as a mark, they never tried to make a move on me, to rob me. i bought them food too, water, sodas, fruits, whatever they needed, it was cheap enough. my only hope was that they would be better jugglers. better than me! man, i so want to see that, so i continue to go back there with props in hand, to donate, in the hope that they will show me up one day. i really hope they do. how many of you have ever had the chance to help a street child, or two, or ten? ever seen a bunch of kids sleeping just out of the drops of rain, trying to sleep on cardboard boxes broken down to make a mattress? man, it made me cry, i really cried, it was so sad. when i saw that, as i shuffled by that scene one night in copacabana, a child sat up and put his hand out, shaking in the cold. i gave him the “just a minute” sign. i went across the street and bought the place out, all the potatos, all the sausages, twenty oranges, bananas, liters of water. i then went back and gave it all to them. i never sat with them though i know they were very appreciative. what really bothered me was that some didn’t seem to wake up, nor cared to. meanwhile, those awake did indeed feast well. i was last in copacabana dec. 2003. they are still there and they still remember me. one kid was a bit threatening, he had a dazed eye look. i felt nervous, but i was able to get away with the hope that i could go back again and show them some new tricks. next time, i will donate rings to toss. they need to know how to pass props back and forth. if any of you read this, if you are going to rio, or some place where you know jugglers in the streets, take props to donate. they will take good care of you. show them what you can, buy them all a soda or some food. show that you care because i know that not a lot of others do, especially their parents. those kids in rio, they do not even know their parents. nobody sends them out there, only their empty stomachs. they deserve a chance. try to help however you can. try to let them know you care. try to see them again and again. a friend is a friend is a friend. always. peace and love and hope for a better world. love to you all, rob

Comments on: Fire Jugglers

By: James

By: robert