Header image  
 
line decor
   back <<<
line decor
 
 
 
 
 
 
HISTORY OF CWB IRELAND

 

Clowns Without Borders Ireland is born out of Irish performers wish to use their skills and humour to help and support individuals and communities that suffer some kind of crisis. We are indepted to the work of other CWBs branches throughout the world.

History
Clowns Without Borders Ireland has developed out of the experience had by Jonathan Gunning with CWB USA's missions to South Africa in November 2004 and January 2006.

The 2004 expedition to South Africa was Clowns Without Borders first mission to the region. Four clowns – Jamie McLaren Lachman (Project Coordinator), Elizabeth Turkel, Tim Cunningham, and Jonathan Gunning – participated in the trip "Project Njabulo" which lasted from November 20th to December 12th. They performed 22 times for over 3,500 orphans affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis, working with 16 different local community aid organizations traveling over 5,000 miles through Mpumalanga, KwaZulu/Natal, the Free State, Lesotho, and the Western Cape.

When In January 2006 CWB USA returned it had a heavier Irish contingent. Accompaning American Sarah Liane Foster were the Irish trio of Jonathan Gunning, Patrick Gunning, and Bryan Quinn.
The trip took the form of two residencies and numerous school performancies for over 3000 children.
These residencies took place at Amazing Grace Childrens Home on the outskirts of South Africa, and the Makaputo Children's Village in Kwazulu/Natal.
The primary goal for this Project Njabulo mission was to provide psychosocial support for children affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis.

In October 2006, the Irish finally took the bull by the horns when they undertook a misson to Nepal in association with UNHCR.
Working primarily with the Bhutanese refugees in Damak, Jonathan Gunning (project leader) Sam Meyler (co-ordinator), and Colm O'Grady (boss clown) performed for over 18,000 children throughout Nepal.

In March 2007, A four person Irish party will head to Lesotho to lead a misson for Project Njabulo.
Project Njabulo’s mission is to provide psychosocial support through laughter and humor to children and communities affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty in Southern Africa.

Those taking part are Mike Casey (Documentarist), Daniela Biancardi (clown), Jonathan Gunning (Project Leader, clown) and Bryan Quinn (clown). We will be aided by the logistical support of James Evans who has previous experience with CWB in Lesotho.
 
 
 

MISSION STATEMENT

CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS offers laughter to relieve the suffering of all persons, especially children, who live in areas of crisis including refugee camps, conflict zones and territories in situations of emergency. We bring levity, contemporary clown/circus oriented performances and workshops into communities so that they can celebrate together and forget for a moment the tensions that darken their daily lives.

We aim to provide emotional relief to children. Underscoring this objective are four points of focus:
1) to perform for as many children as possible and bring laughter and healing for a brief moment in their lives.
2) to establish connections with local grassroots organizations that are working to alleviate the suffering of communities.
3) to connect local performers to these organizations so that celebrations of laughter can continue on a more frequent basis after the expedition is over.
4) to gather information and assess the situation in the regions we visit in order develop future expeditions to the regions.

As a voluntary organisation we are always open to new members