Happy Clown project

Clown is the symbol of happiness. They hope to create smiles to people, which is also the wish of a clown - Choi Chun(蔡珍). Since joining the “Happy Clown Team” formed by members from the 8 elderly centres under Po Leung Kuk last year, the life of the 63-year-old lady has been full of laughter.

5 years ago, Choi Chun’s husband became immobile after a sudden stroke. He could hardly get out of the house and Choi Chun needed to stay home most of the time to look after the patient. A turning point came when Choi Chun was introduced to the Happy Clown project at the Po Leung Kuk Elderly Centre. She joined the team as volunteer clown and discovered her passion in “plate spinning”. Her husband noticed all the hard work she put into every practice. He fully supported her path to volunteering and let her pursue her interest. Choi Chun said, “Although he never speaks out, he always supports me by his action.” It is proven by her husband’s full attendance whenever Choi Chun has performance.

The transformation of the other half surprised Choi Chun. Her husband became more willing to go out of doors and more outgoing. Sometimes, Choi Chun brought along her husband to the clown trainings. After several visits, he started to get familiar with others. They also went to visit singleton elderly together. Experiencing all these changes and seeing the big grin spreads across his face again made Choi Chun eventually feel like lifting a burden off her shoulders.

As a Happy Clown, Choi Chun took part in the flash mobs at the shopping malls among different districts in Hong Kong, as well as the performances invited by the community centres, primary and secondary schools. Spreading the happiness to other seniors and children on stage has brought Choi Chun with enormous satisfaction. Happy Clown has made her life more colorful.