"Some nights I have eight men, sometimes ten. I don't get anything. Everything goes
to the mama san," says Aira, while clutching her doll.
She's thirteen...
"Cracked Mirrors" is a bold attempt at understanding the deep pain and suffering
children go through as a result of sexual abuse. Through a series of five
poignant and gripping vignettes, we get a glimpse into the hidden lives of the
victims. We meet Aira, a thirteen year old girl, held captive in a brothel. We
get to know Jhonny, the young handsome boy, who is befriended and abused by a
pedophile. We learn about Ellen, a young girl molested by her uncle and we
witness Jhao's mental struggle with society's indifference to his plight
as a street child.
"Cracked Mirrors" is the latest advocacy endeavor by
TASK (Talented, Ambitious,
Street Kids) under Stairway Foundation. For more than ten years,
Stairway has used creative expressions in helping marginalized children
from the streets to recover and to heal from the debilitating effects of
all forms of abuse and exploitation. The performing arts, likewise,
have played a central role in helping to break the silence of the plight
of tens of millions of abused and exploited children around the world
The concept of TASK originated in 1999 with a group of seventeen street children. With the
support of professional artists, they brought their street experience to the international
stage with an international tour that reached as far as the United Nations Palais
in Geneva, Switzerland
Members of TASK have also participated in the development of two
animations produced by Stairway Foundation. The animated short films
deal with the issues of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
"Daughter, a Story of Incest" won first prize in
the category of Best Educational Film and the UNICEF Special Award at the 2004 Annecy
Animation Film Festival in France.
"A Good Boy,"
which is an animation about pedophilia, is due to be completed by the
end of May 2005. Both animations have proven to be effective in the
prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse and exploitation
Alongside working on creative projects under Stairway Foundation, members of TASK
also participate in the daily running of the programs
in Stairway
For bookings contact us