Please make us laugh a lot today—Emergency Smile in Türkiye

Between September and October 2025, the Emergency Smile team spent a month in Türkiye, bringing joy and laughter to children and communities still recovering from the devastating 2023 earthquake. The mission covered the Gaziantep and Hatay regions, where the clown artists, led by Salomé Morand as Head of Mission, worked with children, families, and staff in schools, orphanages, community centres and rehabilitation facilities.

Joy where it is needed most

The mission began in Gaziantep, a city only 37 km away from the epicentre of the earthquake. During the first week, the team visited two orphanages, working with children aged three to twelve. These sessions were carefully designed to offer comfort, entertainment and play for children living in challenging circumstances. 

A highlight of the week was working with Be Child, an NGO supporting displaced communities in Türkiye, particularly Syrian children and their families. Housed in a small community centre in the heart of a Syrian neighbourhood, the space radiated warmth and care. Throughout the mission, the clown show was performed primarily in Turkish, allowing children to understand and interact fully. For Syrian children, Ezzat, a native Arabic speaker clown artist, translated key parts into Arabic, ensuring the performance was engaging and accessible for all. This thoughtful adaptation strengthened the connection between performers and audience.

A particularly special moment with Be Child was the Humour Relief Workshop, held for staff, teachers and volunteers. Participants joined in playing the darbuka—a traditional drum—singing and making music together. From the very start, they became the musicians themselves, creating a shared experience that transcended words.

Laughter in the midst of challenges 

In Hatay, particularly in the city of Antakya, the team witnessed the long-lasting effects of the earthquake. Even more than two years later, many families still live in container camps, while parts of the city remain in ruins or under reconstruction. The team visited schools, kindergartens and camps, many of which had never seen clowns before. 

The Circus Smile sessions were especially successful, allowing children to try props like rings, scarves, hula hoops and parachutes. When the team performed in container camps, the effect was remarkable: colour, music and energy transformed the stark surroundings, drawing children and adults alike. A particularly moving moment came when a child asked our clown artist Nina, ‘Please make us laugh a lot today.’ It was a moment that spoke volumes—the child needed joy in a life that had already seen so much. The show’s mix of Turkish and Arabic made it possible for all children to interact fully, turning simple play into shared laughter.

Team that connects and adapts

The mission concluded in Gaziantep, where the team engaged with a wide range of audiences—from children in kindergartens and older adults in a care home to participants at a rehabilitation centre for children and adults with disabilities. At this barrier-free living training and rehabilitation centre, four performances in a single day highlighted the team’s flexibility and dedication. Staff members noted how engaged and happy the participants were, expressing pleasant surprise at seeing everyone so actively involved in the activities together.  

Throughout the mission, Salomé, Nina, Rita and Ezzat demonstrated remarkable adaptability, engaging with very young children, displaced individuals, older adults, and people with disabilities. Each performance was thoughtfully tailored to its audience, combining humour, music, and genuine human connection.