SUDAN / CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS

The Juba Central Prison opens its gates to laughter by welcoming clown performances as a means of a healing process for convicts. This rare show by three clowns who have been traveling the world, left many of the juvenile convicts amused and light hearted. UNMIS

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:53
• Production Date: 22 May 2009
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION IN SUDAN - UNMIS
• Subject Topical: PEACE AND SECURITY; SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT; PSYCHOLOGY; CULTURE
• Geographic Subject: SUDAN
• MAMS Id: U090522d

Description

STORY: SUDAN / CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS
TRT: 1:53
SOURCE: UNMIS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE; ENGLISH/ ARABIC/ NATS

DATELINE: 20, 21, MAY 2009, JUBA, SUDAN

Shotlist

20 MAY 2009, JUBA, SUDAN

1. Wide shot, Juba prison
2. Med shot, Juba prison gate
3. Med shot, young boys seated on the ground
4. Med shot, clowns performing
5. Med shot, crowd of boys laughing
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Peter Khamis Kidia, Juba Prison Inmate:
“These clowns have changed my life; I used to be in a completely different mood, but when I saw them perform I laughed a lot and felt very happy.”
7. Med shot of Gavin Stockden performing
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Gavin Stockden, Clowns Without Borders:
“I am here because we want to have some fun and we want to spread fun we want to see people smile. In a small way it is a bit of rehabilitation from conflict and from violence.”

21 MAY 2009, JUBA, SUDAN

9. Wide shot, group of young boys and girls at a school compound
10. Med shot, clowns performing
11. Med shot, children laughing
12. Close up, clown
13. Med shot, magic show
14. Med shot, children smiling
15 Med shot, clowns with a young student
16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Martin Lujang, Usratuna Primary School Student:
“The play was very nice. I enjoyed it and I want the clowns to come back another time so that we can laugh again”.
!7. Wide shot, clowns saying goodbye

Storyline

One of South Sudan’s main prisons opened its gates to laughter this week by welcoming a troupe of clowns as a way of helping convicts with their healing process. This rare show, by three clowns who have been traveling the world, left many of the juvenile convicts at the Juba Central Prison amused and with a lighter heart.

Clowns without Borders (CWB) arrived in Juba, to bring fun and laughter to children who have lived through war, poverty and displacement.

Using contemporary clown and circus performances as well as workshops during their two-week-tour in south Sudan, the clowns will teach children new skills while helping pull communities together in celebration.

The three clowns came from the US and South Africa. Their idea is to use laughter to relieve suffering, especially in children who live in crisis areas, such as refugee camps and conflict zones.

17 year-old Peter Kemis attended the clowns’ performance at the Juba Central Prison Juveniles quarter and expressed his delight after the event.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Peter Khamis Kidia, Juba Prison Inmate:
“These clowns have changed my life; I used to be in a completely different mood, but when I saw them perform I laughed a lot and felt very happy.”

Gavin Stockden, a member of CWB explained the method behind the madness.

SOUNDBITE (English) Gavin Stockden, Clowns Without Borders:
“I am here because we want to have some fun and we want to spread fun we want to see people smile. In a small way it is a bit of rehabilitation from conflict and from violence.”

During their trip Clowns without Borders performed in front of thousands Southern Sudanese people of all ages. Wherever they performed they caused a roar of laughter among the children.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Martin Lujang, Usratuna Primary School Student:
“The play was very nice. I enjoyed it and I want the clowns to come back another time so that we can laugh again”.

The population of South Sudan is slowly emerging from trauma and emotional despair which was brought about by two decades of war which ended by the signing of a peace deal in January 2005.