Hope in crisis: Emergency Smile in Ukraine

In March 2025, healthcare clowns Anamarija Jurišić and Marko Kalc, together with Craig Russell, Head of Mission, embarked on a scouting mission to Ukraine, aiming to bring psychosocial support through the art of clowning to children, internally displaced families, and everyone else affected by the ongoing conflict.

The journey begins

The mission started with an arrival in Kraków, Poland, as air travel to Ukraine remains impossible due to security concerns. From there, the team took a bus across the border into Ukraine, where they spent their first few days in Lviv. The goal was to connect with local organisations, evaluate potential locations for future missions, and do as many activities as possible for children. According to UNICEF, one in five children in Ukraine has reported losing a close relative or friend since the escalation of the war three years ago. Over 2,520 children have been killed or injured since February 2022, with the true number likely higher, showcasing the importance and urgent need to provide psychosocial support to these children enduring the impacts of the conflict in their country. 

Engaging with local organisations and communities

One of the key organisations the team worked with was Caritas Ukraine. Their first visit took them to a children's centre, where they performed a 25-minute interactive clown show, followed by games, parachute activities, and the distribution of foam red noses. The warm welcome led to an invitation for future visits, reinforcing the importance of building strong local partnerships.

The following day, the team performed at a centre for adults with disabilities, aged 16 to 40. The reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with attendees expressing joy and asking when the clowns would return. The power of humour and human connection was so evident during this visit!

Another highlight was their visit to SOS Children's Village, an organisation our Emergency Smile team collaborated with in previous missions. The show was met with enthusiasm, with children aged 5 to 10 eagerly participating and engaging with the clown artists. Many of these children were internally displaced due to the war, making the need for such an experience even more critical.

Expanding the reach: orphanages and hospitals

The team also collaborated with the Ukraine Volya Foundation, an organisation focused on psychotherapy, physiotherapy, and educational programmes for children, particularly orphans. They visited two orphanages, where they performed for children as young as five years old. The interactions were heartwarming, and caregivers were touched by the immediate positive impact on the children.

A particularly touching moment occurred when a teenage girl at an orphanage volunteered to translate for the team. Caregivers later remarked that the performance had encouraged this child, who doesn’t always engage in activities, to actively participate and connect, bringing them great joy.

In addition to orphanages, the team visited the main children’s hospital in Lviv, where they conducted bedside visits. This was a new experience for the hospital, but staff and patients alike responded with enthusiasm. By the end of their visit, the hospital’s administration extended an open invitation for future performances.

Taking the mission further: Ivano-Frankivsk

After a few days in Lviv, the team travelled to Ivano-Frankivsk, another key location for internally displaced persons. Partnering with local organisations such as Caritas, Hilfswerk and Goncharenko Centre, they performed for children and families in community centres.

Looking ahead: future missions in Ukraine

The scouting mission was a resounding success, solidifying relationships with organisations, identifying logistical needs, and proving the value of clown-based humanitarian work.

As plans develop for a regular 4-week mission in the summer, the insights gained from this trip will shape a more extensive and impactful project. This mission has reaffirmed once more the profound difference that small moments of joy can make. 

Stay tuned for updates as Emergency Smile continues its important work, bringing more laughter, joy, and connection to those who need it most.