Clowning in Morocco
Before I left for India alot of people asked me questions about what I will be doing and lots of other questions… so I had a bit of time to share some answers with you and why Im doing what I am doing.
Humanitarian Clowns provide Empathy, Compassion, Love, Understanding, Stimulation and Support to those living in hardship.
What is Humanitarian Clowning?
Humanitarian Clowning maybe also known as Care Clowning, Hospital Clowning or Clown Doctors – In Australia we tend to just have these types of clowns in the hospitals and they are commonly known as Captian Starlights!
Most people think when I am going clowning I am just clowning for children. This is simply not true! We clown for everyone- Especially adults! We do visit schools and orphanages, but we mostly clown in hospitals, pallitive care unit, rehab centres, homes for destitute women and in the streets!
Sometimes the places are high energy, fun and playful- like the schools and orphanages, But some of the time when we are in hospitals and pallitive care places, we are simply there to be near, to touch, to hug or to hold hands.
Humanitarian Clowning is simply connecting with people through fun, friendship and compassion.
How did you get into Humanitarian Clowning?
My first Humanitarian Clown trip was to India in 2013 with Humanitarian Clowns Inc. I was able to join the clown group in the southern state of India, Tamil Nadu for three weeks, Where we visited orphanages, rehab units, special needs schools, psych wards, paediatric wards, leprosy colonies and gypsy communities. It was a life changing experience for me and I realised that Humanitarian Clowning was an amazing gift to give… and so… In March 2014, I joined the famous Patch Adams from the Gesundheit Institute and 27 Volunteers from all over the world in Morocco. They spread laughter, happiness and smiles in hospitals and orphanages around the country.
I also had another amazing opportunity to join Patch Adam’s again in Costa Rica in September 2014, where I contributed in volunteer work and care clowning workshops in San Jose with Patch Adams. In addition to clowning in clinical settings (and prisons!!), there was daily practical workshops in clown technique, song, poetry, improvisation, along with composing in small groups. Which I have brought back a lot of what I have learned from this trip into the community.
Since 2013, each year I continue to go back to India to spread smiles, laughter and joy to everyone I meet!
Do you get Paid?!?
I wish! It’s amazing doing this kind of work – but unfortunatly no, we dont get paid. Humanitarian Clowns Inc. Organise the trip. As a participant we pay a fee that covers our food, accomatation and transport. We also have to Pay flights, visa’s and insurance.
I think why most people ask nowadays is that I no longer fundraise. I have been doing this since 2013, and my first few years I did. It was alot of work to do, and i just found now, that if i work hard and save my dollars, I get to come and be apart of this amazing change.
I am super thankful for all the people in the past that have helped me, help others. Each and every one of you – thank you! I am always extrememly greatful for everyone that has helped me be apart of this journey!
Why do you do it then?!
“Making someone smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but that person’s world, because making someone smile does make the world a better place”
-Stacie Ashlett
I have so many stories while clowning – most of them aren’t captured in a photo, but Im so happy that some I can remember with the help of one.
This is a picture of Nancy
She really changed my world and the way I look at life. I found her smile in India. At an orphanage for children with disabilities. I feel so honoured I got to play, sing, hold her in my arms and make her feel completely loved for a couple of hours each time – for the first 3
years I attended the the clown trip. On the 4th year I found out that she had passed away, I was devastated. BUT it gave me great comfort knowing that I made her feel loved and special in the precious moments I had with her.
this is me and Jayadhi
I met her at Nambikkai Illam Orphanage. We danced and played and we really had a beautiful heart to heart connection!
As I was leaving this place, she told me to wait and then she came back with this light switch.
She couldnt speak much english. But she basically told me, that when I flick the switch – from anywhere – this would make her smile. This was the best present of all… that Ill cherish forever. – You might have seen me wearing this while i was clowning.
The story that really makes a difference in what we do.
On my first year clowning in India we visited the Karigiri Leprosy Home. It was the first time the clowns had visited this place. The residents there had never been touched. The moment of revelation that I knew that we were making a difference, is when I sat beside a lady with leprosy- and i touched her arm – in a gentle soft kinda way – At first I didnt understand what her expression of feeling was – as we had the language barrier.
78 year old Duraisamy at the leprosy home- He sang to me and he was awesome! 13/11/2015
But then i came to realise that she was deprived of touch – so I sat there, holding her hand, touching her arms and her face- and she just sat there with tears in her eyes – enjoying this feeling of touoch – that we all take for granted.