This is a short, noisy, fun activity to round off a session.

In order to pursue our aims of taking action, we first need to break free from the chains which hold us back. Together we can make our dreams come true.
 

Issues addressed

• Those chosen by the group

Aims

• To create a positive atmosphere in the group
• To reflect on what holds us back from taking action
• To encourage the group to take action

Preparation / Materials

• 1 balloon per participant ; 1 piece of string (about 50cm long) per participant
• Permanent felt-tip or marker pens – enough to share ;
• One block of sticky notes and pencils ; a blank wall or notice board
• The room should be large enough for people to run around, and the central space free of chairs and tables.

Instructions

1. Ask the participants to reflect individually for a minute on the activity they have just finished. Ask them to think about one action they could take as a follow-up.
2. Ask them to name the action on a sticky label and stick their label on the wall.
3. Now ask the participants each to think about one thing which prevents them from pursuing the action.
4. Hand round the marker pens, give each person a balloon and a piece of string. Explain that these are a metaphor for a ball and chain that hold us prisoner, that hold us back from taking action. Tell them to blow up the balloons and write on it in big letters what it is that is stopping them from pursuing their action; they should then tie the balloon to their ankle.
5. Go round the circle and ask each person in turn to say the words they wrote on their balloon.
6. Tell the group that they now have the possibility to break free from the “chains” by stamping on the balloons to burst them.
7. Give the signal for the game to start.

Debriefing and evaluation

This should not be long or the energy will dissipate.

• Did you enjoy the activity? Why? Why not?
• Did you try to burst your own balloon, or did you help others to burst theirs? How does that relate to reality?

Tips for the facilitators

What is interesting in this activity is the dimension of fun and excitement when everybody is stamping on the balloons and you can hear them burst. However, be aware that some people (adults as well as children) have a phobia about balloons; others may just be afraid or dislike the bangs. Therefore, we strongly urge you to check with the participants before you use this activity and have a plan B ready. We suggest a plan B in the variations below.

Instead of using balloons, you may opt for condoms. Condoms have the advantage of being harder to break and therefore the task of bursting them is more exciting. On the other hand, some varieties are very hard to burst so you should try them out before deciding. In some groups, using condoms has the advantage of helping to break taboos about talking about sex and AIDS. However, be aware that in some settings their use could be counter-productive.

Variations

You will need sheets of paper, pens and a bucket. Follow the instructions as above to point 4. At this point, ask people to write what is holding them back on a piece of paper and to scrunch it up into a ball. Ask people to stand in a circle, put the bucket in the middle and ask people one at a time to throw their ball at the bucket. If they succeed, everyone claps; if they miss, they retrieve their ball and take another shot. If they fail a second time, they take a step forward and throw again and repeat until they finally succeed in throwing their paper ball into the bucket.

In the brief discussion afterwards you may like to explore the idea that the game is a metaphor for being persistent: “if at first you don’t succeed, then try again”, perhaps with a reassessment of your action plan and if it was too ambitious, maybe you should take smaller steps towards your goal.

Suggestions for follow-up

Take action: Follow through your ideas for action.

Move on to another activity: You might like to go on to the activity ‘Dear Friend’' which provides an opportunity to explore views and feelings about issues in greater depth.