Children's circus in Afghanistan tries to bring joy to the war ravaged country

In a dusty city of grey concrete blast walls where there's not always much to smile about, the organisers of a children's circus try to provide a splash of colour and some moments of joy.

In a dusty city of grey concrete blast walls where there's not always much to smile about, the organisers of a children's circus try to provide a splash of colour and some moments of joy.

In-the-war-ravaged-country-which-remains-one-of-the-poorest-in-the-world-the-Afghan-Mobile-Mini-Circus-for-Children-is-a-rare-and-much-needed-splash-of-colour-AFP

The Kabul-based Mobile Mini-Circus for Children (MMCC) was founded in Afghanistan in 2002, months after the fall of the hardline Taliban Islamic regime which banned music and dance.

Fewer than one million children - and no girls - attended school nationwide at the time.

While other NGOs and government agencies focused on food, shelter and education, MMCC (www.afghanmmcc.org) strove to introduce "soft" values bringing children together to foster a more joyful atmosphere despite frequent hardship.

David Mason, founder of MMCC and a former salsa and tango dance instructor from Denmark. AFP

"It's a special circus," said founder David Mason, a former salsa and tango dance instructor from Denmark.

"It's a circus to educate, give meaning to life, make children happy, make them dream and realise their dreams and gain self-confidence and inspiration."

Professional adult artists tour and perform for children across the war-torn country.

Afghan children from MMCC take part in a performance on child labour to honour "World Day Against Child Labour" at the French Culture Centre in Kabul. AFP