Photographer Olga Boltneva is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary photography. From her project ‘Hospital Clowns‘. To see Olga’s body of work click on any image.
Half of the children under 15 years of age in Russia (5-7 million) end up in a hospital every year. The majority of the seriously sick ones can stay in for years while undergoing intensive therapy, complicated surgeries and long periods of rehabilitation which creates a high level of stress for them.
The Project “Hospital Clowns” started with one volunteer and later other associates took notice and come to help. The project was introduced to bring positive energy to the hospital environment. It’s important for the children’s treatment that they keep a positive mood. Through clownery, game and art therapy Hospital Clowns encourage rehabilitation of children. The Clowns accompanied the sick child to painful procedures. They are there to support the children before and after surgery.
Currently hospital clowns are professional actors who get remuneration for their work. Before entering a child’s ward, they undergo special training and also attend professional development, nursing, pedagogy and psychology courses. At a first glance it seems easy to be a Hospital Clown. But in reality, accompanying a child during an illness is a very painstaking and hard work. Serious physical and psychological work of a professional team is behind the bright and merry Clown’s appearance. They bring positive emotions to children and their parents and believe that a smile and laughter can conquer the most serious illness.
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By Olga Boltneva
