Using Laughter to Heal the Wounds of War

I am a true believer in the old saying that “laughter is the best medicine”, when I am down or just having one of those high stress days I pull a face or just do a crazy dance and the world suddenly seems right again.  Laughter is truly a saving grace in many cases, and we all know the power behind a smile.  For children who are victims of severe trauma laughter is something they rarely hear, it is often the one simple aid item that is missed when organizations go into a country in conflict or post-conflict.

When submitting development proposals or packaging aid, one rarely finds ‘laughter’ or ‘clowns’ in the budget, however one international organization seeks to change the way we view development.  “Clowns without Borders aims to improve the condition of life for children and communities living crises, through laughter and humor.”

Clowns with out Borders in Sudan 2009

Children who are victims of, or witness, violent trauma and conflict, are especially vulnerable and affected by their experiences, often finding little support or solace in their time of recovery and healing.  Many children have witnessed their entire families and villages destroyed by war, others have been forced to fight in violent armed conflicts, children with debilitating disabilities, children with HIV/AIDS…children who have seen things that children where not meant to see.  These are children who have most often been victims of mental, physical or sexual abuse.

Thankfully Clowns without Borders has seen the gap in development and the value of laughter as therapy, and their commitment to travel to some of the most hostile and impoverished corners of the globe to spread happiness and laughter amongst children is one of the best investments I have seen.  The fun and the act of laughing is not just simply a right and passage of childhood, but laughing and engaging in the often physical activities, that the clowns provide in their acts, also aids children in their recovery by helping them deal with issues such as;  building self-esteem, developing relationships, provide children with positive role models and a moment of escape from the daily rigors of violent conflict.

One of the most violent and worst places in the world to be a child is the DRC, and thankfully with the aid of Clowns Without Borders, laughter was heard instead of cries.  This past week some 48,00o were the victimized by their red noised invaders, however the only wounds from this invasion where stomach pains caused by a rapidly spreading case of the extreme giggles.

“Even here, children need this kind of entertainment to overcome the suffering and the difficulties, to continue with their life,” he said. “Bringing a smile to an unfortunate kid, or even any normal kid, is a wonderful gift to give.”, said one such victim, Pascal, 42, from the Masisi region. (IRIN)

Laughter is rarely heard amid the sounds of rapid gunfire, but maybe if one could hear that simple sound and see a smiling face amidst the ciaos of death and destruction, they would find peace…they would see the that the enemy that stands before them really isn’t so different and that they too only want a life full of laughter.  I say then…”send in the troops”…”send in the clowns!”