Closing the year in Cairo: Emergency Smile’s final mission of 2025

In November, Emergency Smile concluded its final mission of 2025 with a deeply meaningful field programme in Cairo. On Sunday, 11 November, our CEO, Natalie Porias, stepped into the role of Head of Mission, joined by artists Razan, Aisté, and Christian. Despite an unexpected bout of stomach flu that tested the team’s strength on day one, the group began the week with rehearsals—laying the foundations for what would become a powerful two-week intervention.

A cohesive, harmonious group dynamic is vital on mission, and selecting the right balance of personalities is never an easy task. Yet this team came together with exceptional unity—an essential condition for creating safe, joyful, emotionally attuned spaces for the communities we work with.

Week one: activities with UNHCR

The first week focused on activities with UNHCR Egypt, engaging both children and adults—primarily from Sudan. Using humour and play as psychosocial tools, the team created moments of connection, relief and emotional regulation in contexts often dominated by uncertainty and stress.

Humour, as documented in multiple research papers, can reduce physiological stress responses, strengthen group cohesion and enhance coping capacities. These outcomes form the backbone of Emergency Smile’s approach, and in Cairo they were visible every day—in the easing of guarded expressions and in the re-emergence of playfulness among both children and caregivers.

Week two: Humour Relief Workshops

The second week centred on Humour Relief Workshops with frontline workers—those whose emotional load is often invisible yet immense.´

We spent one morning with Refugee Egypt, working with doctors and paramedics, and one afternoon with a group of 20 UNHCR and care-staff supporting GBV (gender-based violence) survivors.

It was an honour to work with professionals so deeply committed to supporting others. Many operate in a state of prolonged stress, which can erode wellbeing and, over time, impact the quality of care they are able to provide. Humour-based activities offer a safe, accessible way to decompress, reconnect and rebuild internal resources.

For these two groups the team selected some specific activities:

Hula Hoop Circle
Participants held hands in a circle and worked together to pass a hula hoop around without breaking the chain. This cooperative challenge strengthened group cohesion, highlighted interdependence and invited connection… and it is just a lot of fun, especially when you add the element of competitivity and try to beat your own record!

Trust Exercise
In pairs, one person closed their eyes while the other guided them around the space.
This exercise was especially revealing for participants accustomed to leadership roles. In a very safe way it allows everyone to experience handing over power, trusting that your colleagues can and will support you and care about your wellbeing.  

One attendee reflected:

“It was the first time in a long time that I didn’t feel in control. It felt strange, but I trusted the person guiding me.”

Such reflections highlight the emotional depth that humour-based methods can reach when used intentionally.

Performances and community visits

The mission also included visits to several community organisations.

We spent a memorable day at Tabu Club, a remarkable grassroots initiative founded by people affected by forced displacement. There, we performed for a group of children from Palestine.

“Thank you for your lovely show; the people asked for more!” 

shared Yasser, one of the centre’s organisers.

We also collaborated with STARS (St Andrew’s Refugee Services), visiting schools for Sudanese children. Each location welcomed us with warmth, openness and extraordinary care—reminders of the rich community spirit that thrives even in contexts of displacement.

Reflecting on the performances, Mimi from Wir Packens Ans, who accompanied the team on one day of activities, shared:

“Each time I am blown away by the reactions of the kids and the people Emergency Smile works with.”

World Children’s Day at the UNHCR Reception Centre

One of the mission’s most powerful moments came during our visit to the UNHCR Reception Centre, which coincided with World Children’s Day.

We brought our clown show to children waiting with their parents for documentation—creating an atmosphere of unexpected joy in a space usually associated with long waits and administrative stress.

As Ghaith Jawish from UNHCR’s Community-Based Protection team shared:

“Here at the reception centre we never see people smiling like this—not even the staff.”

The impact was felt far beyond the performance itself. Humour opened a brief but potent window of relief for both families and staff—reminding everyone present of the power of shared human moments.

A meaningful conclusion to 2025

This mission was a deeply fitting close to the year. Looking back, we are grateful for every smile shared, every moment of connection and every opportunity to support people living through displacement and crisis.

But above all, we are grateful to have worked alongside extraordinary human beings—participants, community partners, humanitarian staff and our own team—who continue to inspire us with their humanity and passion.

Emergency Smile left Cairo with full hearts, strengthened partnerships and renewed commitment to bringing laughter, relief, and psychosocial support where it is most needed.