Afghan girls practice circus skills during a training session in a courtyard in downtown Kabul, April 26, 2026. (Photo: Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Behind a plain, small and poorly equipped yard, each afternoon fills with the sounds of children running, laughing and practicing circus routines.

Inside the narrow space, boys and girls train together in balancing, stretching, juggling and movement exercises designed to improve coordination, discipline and teamwork. Beyond physical activity, the program offers children something many struggle to find elsewhere: encouragement, routine and a sense of belonging.

"When I first came here, I was very shy," 11-year-old Shabina said. "Now I am very happy. I have learned many things."

For Shabina, the experience began with hesitation.

Through regular training and encouragement from instructors and classmates, her confidence gradually grew.

"We participated in competitions, and I won first place among all the teams," she said. "I received a prize, and I was highly encouraged."

She added that her family's support continues to motivate her to participate. For her, this place is like a small community where children from different backgrounds gather together through shared participation and learning.

Twelve-year-old Marwa described a similar transformation. "When I first came here, I had no confidence and was very shy."

Over time, the daily exercises and support from other children changed the way she viewed herself.

"My friends told me I was talented and encouraged me," she said. "That made me very happy."

Today, Marwa takes an active part in the sessions and has become a source of inspiration for younger children observing the training.

In a country where many children face economic hardship and limited access to extracurricular activities, the circus program has become more than a recreational space.

Mohammad, 11, attends the program with his 13-year-old brother Sameem after their family returned to Afghanistan from abroad. Mohammad struggled with stress after returning, and a doctor advised the family to find an environment where he could feel happier and socially engaged.

Since joining the circus sessions, he has become more cheerful and now spends his afternoons practicing with friends and participating actively in group activities.

The program currently hosts more than 100 children. Boys and girls train side by side, sharing tasks equally and supporting one another during exercises and performances. Mistakes are met with encouragement rather than criticism, while progress is measured through effort and participation.

For trainer Rafiqa, the program is designed not only to teach physical skills, but also to provide emotional support for children living under pressure.

"Children in Afghanistan live in very difficult conditions," she said. "Through circus and sports activities, we try to relieve even one hour of the stress that pressures their young minds."

She said creating a supportive atmosphere is central to the training process.

The yard is small for the growing number of participants, resources are minimal, and outdoor training is often interrupted by changing weather conditions. Many children attending the sessions come from families dealing with poverty, unstable living conditions, or the challenges of rebuilding their lives after displacement.

"I train these students with happiness and good behavior so they feel encouraged and improve quickly," she said.

As the sessions end each day, children leave through the narrow opening in the wall and return to neighborhoods shaped by uncertainty and economic hardship.

But within the cracked walls of the small circus yard, many of them find something larger than physical training alone, a space where confidence is slowly rebuilt, friendships are formed, and childhood briefly feels normal again.