Courtesy of The Nation News - Bangkok
Lots of children know Eddie Haworth - he's Eckie the Clown, who teaches refugee kids, flood victims and primary pupils about the good things in life
Eddie Haworth is a long-time street performer and circus clown who's entertained people around the world. He says Western and Thai children are different from the Burmese and ethnic children he entertains on the border.
The latter are more wary of foreigners visiting them, though. That's partly why he keeps going back to give them a laugh.
"The main difference between rich and poor kids is the poor kids lack self-confidence" he says. "They're often afraid to laugh. They're not used to a big, fat foreign bloke making a fool of himself.
"Sometimes their first thought is that we're a bunch of doctors. Then they start giggling, rather than thinking, 'When are they going to stick the needles in?' They go from being timid, frightened kids to cracking up on the floor."

Gift of Happiness Foundation is giving another show for the children at Pakkred home for physically challenged children on Saturday 10th March 2012. We will provide a great part of the days fun alongside other local magicians and balloon twisters. Plus loads of volunteers from the Australian/Thai Chamber of Commerce and many sponsoring companies in Bangkok.
More info: charity@gohappiness.org

58 children, 38 parents and teachers enjoyed a great big day-out in Bangkok. The children are from our adopted school, Wat Sam Ma Kan School near Ayutthaya. These children are coming from some of the poorest families in the outskirts of Ayutthaya and most have never even been out of their local villages, so this was a very special and memorable day out for them.
We took them all to the Dusit Zoo in the morning. Then after lunch at the Zoo some of our volunteer performers gave a fantastic, fun and interactive animal dance workshop with the children.
This will be followed by a visit at about 3.00pm, to the Amnuay Silpa Bilingual School in Bangkok where the children very much enjoyed another very special event when their Drama students staged a special production of Peter-Pan for our children, parents and volunteers.
Then about 5.00pm it was back on the buses with a picnic package provided by the parents of Amnuay Silpa School and great big goody bags filled with toys candies, educational materials and even soap bags provided by the British Women's group, SF Cinema Group and Gift of Happiness Foundation.
We made sure the children all received new uniforms before the great day-out, so there was no embarrassment suffered by the poorest of the children who have very limited shoes & clothing.
seven volunteer helpers joined us on this special day and gave donations towards our costs.
'Thank You' to all who helped make this such a wonderful day for those children!
More info: charity@gohappiness.org