Laughter as a Bridge: Building Connections While Cleaning Up the Nile

Laughter. It’s a universal language, a bridge that transcends borders and cultures. 

Clowns Without Borders (CWB) harnesses the power of humor to bring people together, especially in challenging environments. 

Our recent tour in Egypt exemplifies this mission perfectly and demonstrates how laughter can be a catalyst for both social cohesion and environmental awareness.

The journey began with a collaboration between CWB Artist in Residence Hannah Gaff and a talented Egyptian team, including Nelly Abd-El Maksoud, Saly Ahmed, Sami Gomaa, Tarek Ahmed, and Diaa Eldin Rayad, under the guidance of Project Manager Ahmed Moussa.

Then the Garbage Monster showed up…

Project Summary: A Creative Collaboration

CWB-USA partnered with Vassar College and Dawar Arts Egypt for the groundbreaking Theatre for Climate Justice Project to address the intersecting crises of climate change and forced displacement in Egypt.

Leaning into the power of theatre and puppetry, the team supported the work of vulnerable communities, particularly refugees and asylum seekers, while addressing environmental concerns.

Through interactive workshops and captivating performances, the team explored the challenges posed by climate change, including sea-level rise, pollution, and resource scarcity. These issues disproportionately affect forcibly displaced populations who often live in overcrowded and precarious conditions. 

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation generously supported the project through the Consortium on Forced Migration, Displacement, and Education (CFMDE).

Now let’s explore how play and laughter are potent tools for building community, fostering creativity, and addressing pressing global challenges.

Defeating the Garbage Monster

The team developed a captivating one-hour play centered on the pressing issue of pollution in the Nile River.

A central character in the play was the formidable “Garbage Monster,” a symbol of the environmental challenges facing Cairo. 

Kids with refugee or asylum seeker status from Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Yemen helped defeat the play’s Garbage Monster that was destroying their villages.

Artist Diaa Eldin Rayad shared that, “Interacting with children is one of the most enjoyable moments for me. One child told me, 

When we came to the end of the show, he collected the plastic bottles by himself without being asked to do so.

By engaging children, particularly those with refugee or asylum-seeker backgrounds, in confronting this monstrous foe, the team encouraged a sense of agency and empowerment.

And when you defeat the Garbage Monster, you, of course, need a dance party to celebrate your victory…

He Found His Voice Through Play

Workshops hosted by the team lead children to transform everyday trash into vibrant puppets of fish, crocodiles, and cobras.

The act of upcycling empowered children to become active participants in environmental conservation. This creative approach sparked imagination and ignited a sense of responsibility for action.

One particularly heartwarming story emerged from the workshops. 

Children’s voices, too frequently silenced by adversity, found expression through play and creativity through the Theatre for Climate Justice Project.

Tarek Ahmed recalls another moment when a child practiced agency and self-expression: 

“A girl decided to make the tail in her own way. After suggestions from me about how to make the tail, she told me, ‘Hmmmm…, I will draw it.’” 

Nelly Abd-El Maksoud shared how a child’s passionate creativity inspired her own creativity:

“Today there was a little girl who made the crocodile puppet. And for the first time, I experienced the feeling that someone was fully aware that she was doing something beautiful. This is a new feeling for me. She kept putting in a lot of details of her own, and I kept cutting her pieces and doing anything she wanted. She was very passionate about the puppet and had a great interest in it. She made me feel it was possible to turn the simplest things into beautiful things.”

These events highlight the transformative power of play in unlocking children’s potential and fostering self-expression.

Laughter Unleashed in Egypt

Hannah Gaff, our artist-in-residence, observed firsthand the transformative power of play. She recalls, 

“In the beginning of the workshop, two kids said they didn’t think they could make the puppets (made of plastic and garbage found on the street) and by the end they were so proud of the puppets they made, showing them off to everyone.”

And,

A newfound confidence was palpable as they brought their puppets to life, imaginations soaring.

Diaa Eldin Rayad, a member of the Egyptian team, also witnessed the magic of play unfold. He shared, “The children played with us while laughing. A 6-year-old-boy of Sudanese nationality told me, 

‘We will make a snake from a bag of chips. This is difficult!’”

Beyond the technical skill of puppet making, the children demonstrated a remarkable capacity for problem-solving and adaptation.

The workshop became a safe space where they could express themselves freely, build friendships, and develop a deeper understanding of one another.

By providing opportunities for imaginative play and collaborative creation, the team empowered children to overcome challenges, build resilience, and envision a brighter future.

Conclusion

The project brought together children from diverse backgrounds, such as Sudan and Eritrea, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding. 

The shared experience of creating, performing, and laughing helped bridge cultural divides and build a stronger community.