“Our show is a patchwork of outrageous clowns, ridiculous routines, music, and audience participation, and it’s our great delight to discover remote, underserved people, in order to exchange laughter and make new friends.”
-Gwendolyn Rooker, performing artist
Tour Overview
Clowns Without Borders USA traveled to El Salvador in collaboration with local organizers, CRIPDES, and Sister Cities El Salvador to share smiles and joy with communities affected by violence. We were thrilled to bring an incredible troupe of artists hailing from Colombia, Brazil, Italy, and the United States. This performance and workshop tour was focused in San Salvador, but included trips to more rural areas. We know that the people of El Salvador face serious challenges, and we also know that El Salvadorans are part of a beautiful, rich, and generous culture.
Tour Context
The people of El Salvador suffer from extreme violence. Unaccompanied minors leave El Salvador and journey to the United States in hopes of receiving asylum. Gang violence runs rampant with the nation’s two rival gangs Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and 18th Street (Barrio 18) in constant battle. Disruption from violence impacts everyone, including children.
Children’s access to basic human needs such as access to schools, basic health benefits, and safety has been greatly challenged. El Salvador experienced several natural disasters over the past decade. Flooding, mudslides, volcanic eruption, and a tropical storm have led to a need for humanitarian and economic assistance. School closures disrupt learning, while environmental factors contribute to instability and violence in the country.
CWB – USA follows United Nations naming conventions for all countries, nations, and territories, along with the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To read more about our Code of Ethics, click here.
