About the Gift of Happiness Foundation

Edward Haworth Founder Gift of Happiness Foundation

In the year 2000, a British professional clown, Edward Haworth (AKA Clown Eckie) based in Bangkok was asked to perform for some of the children at one of the cities large orphanages. After the show – which was mostly in mime – one of the volunteer careers told him that the children were very concerned that he could not speak. The clown was touched by this, but the volunteer followed on to tell him that all the children were suffering from AIDS and some may not be there to see his show next year.
This thought made such an impression on him that he decided to devote much more of his time to bringing a little laughter to those children whose lives may sometimes lack these important pleasures.
The many fond memories from many of these events now remind him how fortunate he is to be able to offer the simple gift of LAUGHTER. He gathered a small group of friends…and together they managed to raise enough money to start the long drawn-out legal proceedings which eventually lead to the establishment of this charitable foundation.  We finally achieved full charitable status on the 15th December 2009.  (Foundation Registration number: Kor Tor 1914. VAT: 3-0337-6259-4)

Our prime objective

We bring the ‘Gift of Happiness’ to as many children as possible, who’s entire lives as innocent victims of fate, may be filled with only negative, abusive or unhappy experiences.  Humour helps these children because smiling and laughing triggers the secretions of morphine-like chemicals known as Endorphins and this relaxes the body.  Humour also works because it distracts the children from their worries and pain. It also restores perspective and encourages them to move forward in a positive way.  Having fun doesn’t alter their situation. But it helps children living difficult circumstances to cope and gives them a great memory for the rest of their lives.

Poor children in Thailand receiving the ‘Gift of Happiness’

We bring this important gift of happiness to the children by giving them free, simple slap-stick comedy shows. Our six day long show tours are regularly given to around 5,000 children at large refugee camps, migrant schools and health centres in the remote regions of Thailand.

We also give this happiness all year round in some of Bangkok’s orphanages, slum schools, street children and safe houses for abused women and children. Even though we are a small, but effective organisation, we are able to go to very many places where the children may never have seen such comedy. By giving our shows we are able to ensure that thousands of children will get to have a really good old fashioned laugh, often for the first time in their lives. More importantly, the children are left with life long positive memories that they can keep and no one can ever take away from them.

Donated toys, clothes and happiness for poor children in Thailand

Another important objective

When we set-out to perform our show tours for the many groups of needy people in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand. We also deliver clothes, toys, educational, agricultural, food and medical supplies to most of the places we visit.
We try to support individual families who are in desperate situations. Those families may not have the right kind of status in Thailand, which would allow them to take advantage of assistance from the major NGO’s. But they are still human beings in great need of help, so as a smaller charity organisation without beurocratic obstacles in our way, we try to give as much as possible to them.

Donated bedding, medicines, educational and other useful goods

All the people working for the Gift of Happiness Foundation are un-paid volunteers and often cover their own costs when helping with show tours.

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TOYS - DONATED BY FAMILIES IN BANGKOK ARE GIVEN TO POOR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THAILAND

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Fellow entertainers from other countries have already volunteered to help at past productions in Bangkok and around the border regions of Northern Thailand. We have also had some great support from individuals who have helped to collect goods and money. LONDON BASED 'GINGERNUTT THE CLOWN' AND 'CLOWN ECKIE' HELPING OUT AT A LARGE REFUGEE CAMP IN THAILAND