The Asociación Payasos Atz’anem K’oj (“The Clowns”) gathers, trains and resources groups of youth peer educators and people living with HIV in sexual and reproductive health. These groups carry out the Clowns’ communication projects in sexual health, HIV and Aids and STIs to vulnerable populations (in rural indigenous areas, prisons, borders and ports, and others) through arts – street theatre, mural painting, clowning and Theatre of the Oppressed – participatory workshops, and population-specific education materials. The artistic aspects of the strategy are based on principles of communication for social change, non-formal education and human rights. An essential strategic focus throughout the life of the project has been the training of an activist pool of human resources.
The Payasos have continuously worked in Sololá since 2001, where their initial street-theatre-based strategy was piloted and evaluated with funds provided by the Pan-American Health Organization. Since then they have brought a variety of alternative sexual health communication services to over 900 communities in Guatemala and elsewhere in Central America. Their network extends to Peru, Jamaica, Venezuela, Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua, where South-South exchanges have generated successful partnerships (visiting professionals have, after working with the Clowns in Guatemala for several months and jointly raised funds, implemented replications of their strategy in their own countries).
The project’s four strategies include:
Information and Communication: Street theatre has proven a particularly lively and effective way of communicating information on sensitive subjects to large numbers of people. Street theatre and clown shows have been developed, implemented and refined by the Clowns™ field teams since 2001 in over five hundred vulnerable communities and in fifteen languages, and have benefited from the input of a network of highly qualified theatre, sexual and reproductive health, and project management professionals. The Clowns™ 75-minute street theatre presentation, covering key information about HIV transmission, and prevention is appropriate for all ages and backgrounds, and condoms are explicitly named as a highly effective prevention method for sexually active individuals. The shows have generated considerable debate at the grassroots. Since 2002, the groups of Youth Peer Educators have developed their own shows, which cover basic transmission and prevention information, as well as essential messages of solidarity with PLWHA (People Living with HIV and AIDS) and destigmatizing messages designed to reduce fear and spread information on human rights, including the rights of HIV+ people.
Participatory Workshops: These are structured 90-minute workshop where HIV/AIDS-related issues are examined in depth with groups capable of multiplying the information and impact of the intervention. Workshops are participatory allowing people from a variety of educational backgrounds and learning styles to examine the issues, including through the use of hypothetical situations and risk analysis. Specific situations are discussed with sex workers, and others whose occupations expose them to risky situations. The educational methodology will be systematized and strengthened during the life of the project through ongoing training and discussion, both within the field teams, within their national networks and at international forums with extended networks. The messages both technical and political, that are communicated at the grassroots will therefore reflect the cutting edge in how people directly affected experience these issues and articulate their responses.
Development of Educational Materials: The Project has pioneered the development of HIV print based materials for low literacy populations in indigenous languages. Materials are developed along strict guidelines that involve validation by the beneficiary communities and broad consultations as to essential messages.
Youth Peer Educator Training and Support: Over the years, the youth peer education program has evolved into a major strategy of the Clowns. Currently, four groups operate under Proyecto Payaso, each with their own shows, geographical areas and beneficiary populations. Youth peer educator theatre troupes receive training and funds from the Clowns, are supported with materials and transport, participate in financial management and monitoring of field activities. They manage and coordinate themselves autonomously. Programs specifically for YPEs include Training the Trainer and annual youth theatre festivals against AIDS and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. Exchange visits will be arranged between YPE theatre groups and between sister organizations (in Guatemala and regionally South-South with Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico) to enable sharing of skills and experiences.
For more information about Proyecto Payaso, please visit their website. To read about their legal status and funding sources, please click here.
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