JOIN USClowning to heal terminally ill children
Priyanka (name changed), 12, a patient at St John’s Hospital, had a face full of blisters that would pain every time she spoke.
She had not uttered a word for a long time. It was only when Tharanath G, dressed as a clown, held her hand and sang for her that she got talking. Priyanka’s mother and the nurses thanked him for accomplishing what they had failed to do. The following week when Tharanath visited the hospital, Priyanka had healed completely and was bubbling with enthusiasm.
Priyanka is one of the many children whose lives have been touched by Tharanath and his group of volunteers called Humanitario Clowns. They dress up as clowns to spread cheer among terminally ill children.
Every weekend, members of Humanitario Clowns visit St John’s Hospital and Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology to bring laughter to children suffering from cancer. Recently, St John’s hospital provided them official volunteer ID cards after seeing their positive impact.
Spreading joy is not restricted to the children. The group also regularly visits Karunashraya and spends time with elderly terminally ill patients.
“I was assisting an Australian clown who was visiting St John’s Hospital in 2013. I saw the effect of his clowning efforts on these children who were beaming with smiles. I then decided to carry on this initiative in Bengaluru that resulted in the formation of Humanitario Clowns.
“We approached the hospital to allow us to clown around for children. They were a bit skeptical initially. But when they saw the positive impact we had on the children, they allowed us to continue our visits,” said Tharanath, who also volunteers as a teacher in government schools.
Cilla Thomas, a corporate professional who volunteers with Humanitario Clowns, says: “We have story-telling sessions, play musical instruments, dance, and distribute chocolates to these children. Some children are not that receptive in the beginning but start opening up slowly. It is a give-and-take experience whereby we receive as much joy as we give.”
Tharanath echoes her. “We give more than we receive from these children who are so full of joy despite battling a tough life. Being able to bring some joy no matter how small gives us a sense of purpose and motivates us to keep going.”
Humanitario Clowns also combines Seva Cafes at old age homes with clowning whereby they serve food with love. They spend time with them dressed up as clowns to help the patients laugh and have fun.