The devastation caused by Hurricane Maria is no laughing matter. In 2017, it compelled nearly 5% of Puerto Rico residents to leave the island. But for those determined to stay — or unable to leave — recovery feels like running … Continue reading
Category: Laughter
All things laughter: especially the benefits to health and happiness, and how to laugh more often
Is Laughter the Best Medicine? These Clowns Say Absolutely!
Sometimes it takes a crisis to realize you need a big dose of laughter. My aha moment came with flashing red lights: a breast cancer diagnosis late last year. What I learned during my treatment and the six months since … Continue reading
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Refugees
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a halt and upended people’s sense of security. The unknown, and all its associated stress and fear, has become the new normal. It’s important to remember that global crises of inequity continue, and … Continue reading
Hierarchy Is a Barrier
Leora Sapon-Shevin went on her very first CWB – USA tour this past December. The team, which included Meredith Gordon and Clay Mazing, performed for communities affected by 2019’s Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm. Leora sat down with CWB … Continue reading
The Escalating Migrant Crisis in Greece
CWB – USA shares the following post from our sister-chapter Clowner Utan Gränser (Clowns Without Borders Sweden). It was written by Louise Frisk, CWB-Sweden Secretary General. How Many More Children Will Die, As They Try to Live? “I lost my … Continue reading
Remembering the 2010 Haiti Earthquake
CWB board member David Lichtenstein reflects on the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Port Au Prince, Haiti. I have been working with Clowns Without Borders for 21 years and the most intense tour I ever went on was … Continue reading
Internally Displaced People and Indigenous Self-Determination
This fall, CWB – USA travels to Matto Grosso do Sul, Brazil sharing laughter with indigenous Guaraní communities facing displacement due to agribusiness incursion on their land. Less than 1.6 percent of Matto Grosso do Sul has been demarcated as … Continue reading
Audience of One
Six months ago, CWB – USA wrapped our last performance in Myanmar. Over the course of the tour we spent 60 hours on planes, six hours a day in the car, and performed for over 9,000 people. Amidst all those … Continue reading
Organizing In a Crisis
Clowns Without Borders is planning a tour to the US/Mexico border. Molly Rose Levine created a document for those considering arts/children’s/cultural interventions to support the children and families currently seeking asylum at the US/Mexico border, specifically in Tijuana. Molly Rose … Continue reading
Local Actions, Larger Purpose
In December, 2018, a group of CWB clowns partnered with Oakland Catholic Workers for their holiday celebration. OCW serves the Bay Area immigrant community through food distribution, language classes, and transitional housing. At the holiday party, parents receive wrapped presents to distribute to their children on Christmas. James Green By the time we arrived at the church, a line of about 30 or 40 families had already formed at the door. They waited to enter the hall, where they would … Continue reading
Welcome Nicole!
We are delighted to welcome Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone to our team as our Communications Director. Nicole has the unique perspective of being both a communications professional and a performing artist. She grew up watching performances of Pickle Family Circus and San … Continue reading
How does social circus prevent youth violence?
Guest Blogger: Charlotte Byram, Circus Harmony CWB-USA and CWB-Brazil have partnered with The Ministry of Health Psychosocial Support Programming in San Salvador. The tour specifically focuses on leading workshops for youth in gang-controlled neighborhood. You may be wondering, what do … Continue reading
Are We Allowed to Laugh?
By Tim Cunningham, CWB-USA Volunteer I was invited to participate in a very last minute and end-of-year capacity building project with our friends in Turkey who are on their way to forming a new chapter of Clowns Without Borders … Continue reading
Coming Full Circle: Our 100th Project
It’s a watershed moment for Clowns Without Borders USA. Our first undertaking of 2017 is also our 100th project since our organizations’s founding in 1995! Therefore it is fitting that we are returning to Chiapas, Mexico, where it all began for … Continue reading
