Training Healthcare Clowns in the Circus Smile Programme to Reach More Children

Last Friday, RED NOSES Palestine ( RNPS), organised a specialised artistic workshop for its healthcare clowning team entitled “The Circus Smile.” The workshop aimed to develop the team’s skills and prepare them to join the Circus Smile programme, one of RED NOSES’ programmes, which combines circus arts and humour  to provide enjoyable and meaningful artistic experiences for children in underserved communities.

 During the workshop, the clowns learned a range of new circus skills and practised how to incorporate them through movement, play, and humour. These skills will enable them to develop interactive workshops and performances for children in the future.

 The training was delivered by three certified healthcare clowns, Alaa Abu Gharbieh, Christine Hodali, and Moatasem Abu Hassan, who shared with their colleagues the knowledge and experience they have gained over the years through delivering Circus  Smile workshops.

Christine Hodali focused on the objectives of the workshop, basic circus skills, and how to incorporate these skills into interactions with children. Alaa Abu Gharbieh focused on performance development, teamwork, and the importance of coordination and connection between clowns during performances. Moatasem Abu Hassan focused on the contents of the circus kit and how to use and incorporate its different tools into activities and performances.

This workshop reflects RNPS’s ongoing commitment to investing in the professional development of its healthcare clowning team and strengthening their artistic and creative skills. This contributes to improving the quality of programmes and services provided to children and target groups, while bringing art, play, and laughter to more communities and underserved areas.

 Circus Smile is a programme by RED NOSES designed to empower children in marginalised areas. Through circus skills training , it helps them build self-confidence, express themselves, and connect with their communities.

  This workshop is part of “Humour gives hope: Strengthening the mental health of vulnerable children & adolescents in Palestine through health clowning” project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK).