Clowns Without Borders - USA

Over the past month and a half, we have performed 29 times for over 5,000 children while teaching 3 week-long workshops on life skills and emotional well being as well as the most recent workshop on drama to an adult community theatre group. Our trip has taken us to some of the most rural areas in Lesotho – villages one can only get to via pony or foot – as well as the outskirts of Maseru, the capital.

Most days, I couldn’t wait to perform for the kids. I’d wake up so excited to do the show that I would be ready an hour early and have to sit around in my striped socks and goofy glasses saying, “is it time yet?”. What a clown nerd. Oh, and I finally got my clown a dress. Jamie says it makes my clown look more gentle. Which is good because my clown is kinda punchy. Also we’ve managed to work my bad magic in! Now it’s not embarrassing, it’s funny. - Alice Nelson

Our schedule has been grueling from the time we arrived in Piggs Peak to yesterday when we performed 3 shows for children in nearby primary schools. In the last 5 days, we have done 11 performances around Mbabane at Drop-in Centres, primary schools, and high schools. Our focus on this expedition is quite different from previous trips when we could afford to devote our energies entirely to working with the children. Beyond the routine of the shows and rehearsals, a lot of our time is spent developing group dynamics, teaching clown technique and stagecraft, and managing the logistics of feeding and organizing 8 performers. We are collaborating with more siSwatis than expected – Sibusiso, the group leader, has organized a troupe of 7 performers that have been rehearsing and practicing three days a week for the past month.

“It brings tears of joy to my eyes to see the work that you are doing. There are only two things you can give a child that no one can take away and those are memories and education. You do both. To teach a child how to make others laugh while laughing himself must be one of the greatest gifts you can give. I am so proud to be associated with Clowns Without Borders!” - Kathy Poulter, Director of Makaphutu Children’s Village in Kwazulu/Natal, South Africa

Gracie steps on the stage with a shy smile displaying a gap between her front teeth. She shakes hands with a clown who presents a shiny, brass taxi horn instead of his hand. “Honk! Honk!” She jumps back in surprise as the crowd roars with laughter. After a series of magic tricks and acrobatics, she finds herself standing on the clown’s shoulders to wild applause. Beaming with confidence and achievement, she returns to her friends in the audience with a red nose clutched tightly in her hand. An orphan living with HIV/AIDS at Beautiful Gate Children’s Home in Crossroads, South Africa.