On Children’s Day, October 1, 2023, Clown Camp in Jaffna brought together 18 kids and 5 teaching artists, with support from Semmugam performance group and CCH. Something special happened that day – the kids didn’t see us as teachers; they felt we were their friends. They embraced making mistakes without hesitation and discovered something new and different from traditional education, finding it beautiful.
We think that as Clown Camp facilitators, we can make a difference by making mistakes together. When we goof up and laugh about it, it brings us closer. We believe this helps break down the gap between teachers and students, making learning a shared adventure where everyone is on the same team.
What stood out was their appreciation for expressing a range of feelings in a single day. Among all the clown games, their favorite was the Kumja rhythmic game. When asked to share any negative thoughts, they all responded with nothing negative, just a bit tired. The common thread among them was making new friends and having a lot of fun. The day wasn’t just a learning experience; it was a beautiful celebration of friendship and joy.