Hopes raised on stilts for cousins Nicky and Ryan

By ZARA KANU LEBO
TEENAGED cousins Nicky Marie and Ryan Ray are mastering the art of walking on stilts – as part of an entertainment group, staging circus-type activities around Port Moresby.
Nicky says “we come here to feel happy and we want to make people experience the same happiness by what we are doing through shows in the PNG circus”.
They hail from Wanigela Village in Koki, Moresby South. Nicky’s late mother is the sister of Ryan’s father, making their bond very close as first cousins.
Nicky, 18, is the fifth eldest in a family of six – four girls and two boys. Both their parents have passed away leaving them to fend for themselves.
“I have to look out for my siblings and it’s not easy. I just want us all to be happy and pray that I can be somebody in the future so I can take care of them all. We have good families that care for us in the village but it’s not the same when you have both parents alive.
“Life is tough but we have to keep going and we have to be strong to see good things come into our lives. I am grateful that I am part of a group that cares for us, teaches us so many skills, provides opportunities for us and above all makes us happy.”
Ryan, 17, is the eldest and the only boy in a family of three. He is supposed to be still in school but decided to leave because of personal reasons.
“I was not motivated enough to stay in school. So I came here to find peace and learn new skills as I’m someone who is always happy. Many see me as a clown-type person.
“We are part of a group of disadvantaged children from Koki and come here to learn about acting, dancing and how to perform different tricks, which makes us very happy.”
The PNG Circus is a company established with different components: acrobats, dancing and kickboxing.
They performed from Apr 6 to 14 during the first-term school holidays drawing crowds that filled the 160-seat auditorium at the Port Moresby Arts Theater grounds.
The crowds were entertained by the stilt boys, clowns, acrobatic balancing acts, jugglers, dancing and backflips.
Nick and Ryan have performed in hotels, schools, private parties and shows under the Port Moresby arts theater programme.
According to active city development programme coordinator Melissa Brabar, the boys in the circus are from the city development programme.
“We get unfortunate youths from the different city suburbs to participate. Most are out of school, unfortunate and vulnerable and exposed to all the wrongs of society. We want to help change that.
“Such programmes make them come to realize that there are other ways of earning an income, using the talent they possess through physical activity such as acting and performing.”
Ryan believes that people who sit at home doing nothing should come out of their shells and find something they have talent in.
“Most people have a talent but hide it. Come out and share your talent and make someone happy today. Who knows where your talent can take you.”
The two cousins were at first shy to join the circus.
“We were ashamed to come and act in front of people. But after getting to know people and being involved in the programme, we are more confident and most of all happier.”
Stilt boys Nicky and Ryan are a feature of the shows.

“ We were ashamed to come and act in from of people. But after getting to know people and being involved in these programme, we are more confident and most of all happier.”

“It took us one year to master this. There have been a lot of times that we fell. But we didn’t give up as we wanted so much to be part of the circus.”
They are determined to make it big in life and have a much bigger dream to one day represent the country in similar shows overseas.
Nicky says that he just wants to travel overseas “to represent my country and perform in big shows”.
“I hope that by joining the circus we will one day see that dream come true. I know that’s the same for Ryan.”