The benefits, the power, and the therapeutic effects of laughter,
smile, and humor, can never be overestimated. Especially when they are elicited
systematically, methodically, and with genuine kindness by the professional,
good-hearted clowns of Red Noses Jordan (RNJO).
اضافة اعلان
For more than 40 years now, natural methods to help and
relieve those who must undergo medical operations or even simple treatment,
whether out-patients or hospital patients, have been experimented, most of the
time with a high success rate. This is particularly true for those who are
psychologically vulnerable, like the very young or the elderly.
Sophrology, for example, the relaxation method that uses
music, among other means, often enables women to deliver without any kind of
medication at all.
Laughter, simpler, more direct, more spontaneous, is also
effective and can be brought to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or
condition.
This is the very concept behind Red Noses Jordan, the branch
office of Red Noses International (RNI), a non-profit organization founded by
Monica Culen and Giora Seeliger and based in Vienna, Austria. Along with Red
Noses in Palestine, which has a longer history, RNJO is the only other branch
office of RNI in the region.
Dara Madanat, RNJO director, told
Jordan News: “We call
ourselves professional clowns. We touch the soul.” She also introduced Lna Dahdal, the artistic director and herself an active member of the clowns’ team.
Madanat’s tone during the interview clearly conveyed the sincere and warm
humanitarian commitment and the strong motivation behind the endeavor.
By making patients laugh, by bringing an instinctive smile
to their faces, the clowns of RNJO are able to remove most of the psychological
stress and fears. The benefit is double: it makes patients accept the treatment
and the medicine more easily, and it acts as a very effective and natural
therapy.
The beneficiaries are not just hospital patients. They can
be children with disabilities, elderly people anywhere, refugees, homes,
centers, societies, and others. In addition to patients, the clowns also interact
with their nurses, doctors, and caregivers. They also often intervene in
“disaster relief” situations.
RNJO clowns are paid for the work they do, but the
beneficiaries are not charged for the service.
“During the severe COVID lockdown, the clowns made 1,800 visits to a total of 14,000 beneficiaries,” Madanat said.
The clowns are carefully selected and receive an intense
5-month training. In addition to acting, they study geriatrics and psychology
over a curriculum that takes 480 hours. This enables them to improvise and
react in the best way with the beneficiaries.
“There is no prepared or strict show there – this would not
work,” said Madanat. At present the team includes nine clowns, both men and
women, and is expected to grow.
Madanat also said that because of the stressful situations
they have to face in the course of their work, the clowns themselves are
offered psychological therapy and help: “RNJO have an agreement with a
psychologist that clowns visit regularly to destress if ever needed, given the
cases they encounter with the beneficiaries.”
Madanat also spoke about the interesting focus RNJO is
putting on the south of Jordan: “This is still not clear, as we are waiting for
funds to work with (people with) disabilities in the south, but now we have
‘Circus Smile’ missions in Tafileh and Beida. It is a 4-day circus-like and
clowning workshop conducted by Red Noses Jordan clowns for children who are
affected by crises, mainly refugees. The purpose of this program is to empower
and positively enhance the lives of young individuals in these areas. Two to
three clowns provide a workshop for four days where children learn clown
pieces, magic tricks, juggling, and are prepared to perform what they have
learned in front of an audience. On the final day, caregivers and parents are
invited to the final performance where their child is the star of the show.”
RNJO also interact with several other humanitarian
organizations, including Save the Children, Caritas, UNHCR, Doctors without
Borders, SOS Villages, and Ruwwad.
RNJO started its activities in 2014, and was registered at
the Ministry of Culture in 2017. In 2020, it became a full-time
operation.“Minister of Social Development Ayman Mufleh is pushing and helping
us a lot,” said Madanat.
RNI has 11 branches in Europe.
The writer is a computer engineer and a classically trained pianist and guitarist. He has
been regularly writing IT articles, reviewing music albums, and covering
concerts for more than 30 years.
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