Adugna is an Ethiopian word of Oromo origin that means “wealth” or “world”, but I think new meanings should be added, like “potential”, “transformation”, “hope”, among others. Why I say that? Because Adugna is the name of an Ethiopian Dance Company based in Addis Ababa, but it’s special one, since its performers come from the streets of the city.
The Adugna Community Dance Company was established in 1996 by British
choreographer Royston Maldoom and is made up of talented contemporary dancers and choreographers from Ethiopia, who once lived on the streets of Addis and that are now active in the community as teachers and choreographers.
It all started as an experimental community dance project in the streets of Addis Ababa. Sixteen young people were chosen by the British choreographer to be trained over a period of 5 years in African traditional and contemporary dance, choreography and teaching skills.
And the project grew until reaching the status of a now international dance and theater company that keeps transforming lives in Ethiopia. The Company works with homeless and disabled people, who used to have no hope for their future and were ostracized by the community.
Art is a positive changing force and it can be used for social and human development, Adugna is a living proof of this.
Here is a 27 min. video about Adugna:

Also you can check out this beautiful slide show of black and white photographs of the Adugna Potentials.