On 26 January last, we opened our interactive children’s theatre in Curaçao, so that needy children here can also be distracted from illness.The first performance was centred on a birthday party in which important and influential people were invited. For example, how do you greet a king, emperor or a princess? The play taught how to deal with labels. After active participation, children were additionally praised with fun gifts/gadgets. The sick children in particular were in the spotlight and were given every opportunity to play along, present, think, guess, shout, dance or act out. There was a lot of improvisation and they joined in nicely.
Young people with a chronic condition anywhere in our Kingdom experience a lower quality of life compared to their ‘healthy’ peers. They are hampered by their health to a higher degree, are more likely to have fewer friends than they would like and worry about their future with regularity. With the humour the performances bring, children come together and help with setbacks, pain and sadness. For a moment, they get away from the harsh reality in which illness (and additionally, for many, poverty) affect life.
We offer shows for and by Curaçaoans, so that our concept is translated correctly and the sickest children on the island really benefit from our project. With interactive theatre performances at the Curaçao Medical Center (hereafter CMC), the sickest children, together with peers and family members, experience moments of distraction, relaxation and fun.
A picture says more than 1,000 words. Below is a collection of photos from our first show at the CMC in Curacao.
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