Concordia graduate Guy Giard, humanitarian clown, in costume | Photo credit: Hugo Lorini
From March 1 to 8, the certified clown wants to bring his healing humour to hospitals, schools, nursing homes and orphanages in poverty-stricken areas of Guatemala City.
Dr. Patch Adams, the physician and funny man known for his charitable work, will head the group of 15 therapeutic clowns to one of Central America’s capital cities.
Since 1984, the Gesundheit! Institute founded by Adams has been to 60 different countries over six continents. “Most people have something they really want to do. For me, it’s this humanitarian clown mission to Guatemala,” says Giard.
Giard became interested in Adams after he saw the 1998 film starring Robin Williams in the role of the comedic doctor. “I wrote to Adams to express my interest in joining a humanitarian mission. He told me all I need to do is raise the funds,” says Giard.
The laughter-obsessed Concordian, who trained at Francine Côté’s Clown and Comedy School in Montreal, shared three of the reasons he wants to join Adams on the humanitarian mission:
- To empower people: “Because clowns are so silly, people laugh at them and feel like they’re in control,” says Giard. “We’ll visit poor areas where children collect plastic and metal to sell and offer them a bit of relief from their daily reality.”
- Laughter is good for you: “Laughter has physical benefits. It increases endorphins that make people feel happy,” says Giard.“Your mental state will effect how you feel, and we put people into a better state of mind.”
- Because it’s natural: “Laughter is a natural impulse, like sneezing,” says Giard. “Once you get someone to laugh, it’s contagious. Often when I work with people they are reserved at first. Once you get one person to laugh, though, everyone else starts.”
As a student at Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts, Giard says: “The subject matter of my work has always been related to a humanitarian cause.”
Giard worked as an educator at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for 17 years. He is a visual artist, lecturer, singer and writer. He was awarded the Lenny Ravich “Shalom” Scholarship in applied and therapeutic humour.
- Giard needs $2,700 to fund his mission. Support the humanitarian clown at: www.guygiard.com.