Payasos Sin Fronteras or Clowns Without Borders was founded in Barcelona, Spain in July 1993. The idea began when Tortell Poltrona, a professional clown in Spain, was invited to perform in a refugee camp in Croatia. This performance unexpectedly attracted audiences of more than 700 children, proving to Poltrona that there can be a great need and appreciation for clowns and entertainment in crisis situations. He founded Clowns Without Borders to offer humour as a means of psychological support to communities that have suffered trauma.
Another project was organized for May of 1993, and this time two more artists, Boni & Caroli, accompanied Tortell Poltrona, travelling and performing in the refugee camps in Croatia. What followed was a wave of performers and shows travelling to the ex-Yugoslavia region from Spain.
Soon Clowns Without Borders organizations sprung up in France and Sweden. The CWB movement expanded into other areas of conflict, from the Western Sahara, to Israel/Palestine, to Columbia and other countries throughout Central America. By the year 2000, over one hundred expeditions had been launched.
After travelling to perform in Guatemalan refugee camps in Chiapas, Mexico (1987) and in South African township schools (1991), Moshe Cohen participated with the French Clowns Sans Frontieres in Croatia (1994) and performed in eleven refugee camps in eight days.
He then started Clowns Without Borders-USA in 1995. Clowns Without Borders-USA was a grassroots volunteer run organization until July 2008 when the organization hired Dianna Hahn as director. With the support of many volunteers and the hardworking board, the organization continues to strive to bring laughter and humour to children and persons in areas of crisis.
Now with Clowns Without Borders organizations in nine countries (Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, South Africa, Canada and the United States) they hope to work together to send hundreds of projects throughout the world.
For current and upcoming projects, and for beautiful smiles – please visit these websites.
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Oh Jonie I am almost speechless. What a wonderful post you know that the medical field of children is just one of my many soft spots – and yes Father reminds us we should be like the children He says that for a valid reason cause they are so fertile to learning through been like a child . Cannot help but think of the organization of Patch Adams. Wonderful Bless You
How wonderful – great post, Jonie
That’s a wonderful and inspirational post Jonie, thanks for sharing with us.
What an awesome ministry! Laughter IS the best medicine! How our world (US included) need more of those feel-good endorphins that come from humour and laughter!! I, for one, find myself in that “queue” …
Thanks for sharing this with me. It’s the first time I’ve heard of Clowns Without Borders, but I’ll be sure to share it with those I know, so that Clowns Without Borders can become better known world-wide!
YOU were part of that process in MY life today!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Shared with Jonie what a friend and I did in a moment of madness a few years ago – If you go to Patch Adams website you get the phone number for the real live Patch Adams and we phoned the number to speak to Patch – he was not available so we left a voice mail message, he returned the call and spoke to us for about an hour and half. A man of such wisdom he is. This post brought all those memories back so clearly. Thanks Jonie
Mary-Anne, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful “moment of madness” with us! What an experience, bless you!
Clowns without borders or bring happiness to those in need, commendable work.
Such a beautiful and inspirational post…..Thank you!
You are right to post on this organization. They do an incredible work!
Laughter doeth good like a medicine!
This is great. As you mentioned there is alot of pain around, these guys & your post make for a great reminder of the lighter side of life.
Wonderful to see that people still care….and share their love for others…It is beautiful work indeed…