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Smiles for change for childrens hospital Nairobi

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Sarakasi Trust Smiles for Change is a kind of clinic clowns but then in Kenya. The artists of Sarakasi visits children who have to stay in public hospitals in Nairobi for a long period of time. Children here often come from far and get little or no visits.

At the largest hospital – Kenyatta National Hospital – there are on average 400 children, often sharing beds. There is no distraction, no education and no entertainment. The visits of the artists of Saraski are therefore a highlight in the week.
They offer performances of clowns, storytelling,  singing, drawing, dancing and music. Not only  resulting in laughing children, creative activities are also good for the stimulation and the healing process of the child. And educational, because children and parents are in a creative way also informed of the importance of personal hygiene, medical assistance and social topics such as no discrimination against children who have physical or mental limitations.

In addition to visiting children in hospitals, the artists of Sarakasi also visit young people in jails and penitentiaries, patients in Aids clinics and children in a day care for people with disabilities. All institutions are enthusiastic  about the visit, but they can, of course, not to pay for it. Sarakasi therefore depends on donations. The founder and manager – the Dutch  Fernande Verwiel  – has lived and worked  in Nairobi for over 30 years.

Total required for a year-long weekly performances by five artists in Kenyatta National Hospital:
€ 7000,- . Half year  €3500,-