If there’s one thing Masooma Kachelo wants to accomplish, it’s to bring out the wild and joyous spirit in all of us. The woman behind full moon meditations and dance circles, who prays for peace around the world and takes action through raising both awareness and funds, wants to inspire us further to spread joy and cheer, through the simple act of clowning.
Inspired by Dr. Patch Adams (the actual person who inspired Robin Williams’ movie character) who gave a TED Talk on “Living a Life of Joy,” in which he pulled his pants up to his chest and put on exaggerated false teeth, Mas, along with 17 other adult women, dressed in colorful clown wigs and donned bright red noses to visit Roundabout’s Happy School, which supports children who are undergoing leukemia treatment.
“There is power in happiness to help the immune system. When our spirits are lifted, we have a better chance to heal our bodies,” shares Mas, believing strongly that the process of healing doesn’t have to be a somber experience. At Happy School, she and the group of volunteers led the kids, ranging from 3 years to 14 years old, in breathwork meditation, games, and dance, giving the kids the space to be vulnerable, while teaching them the tools to help them get through their pain – both physical and emotional.
Happy School is a subsidiary of Roundabout charity and calls on caring volunteers to regularly arrange a variety of activities for its beneficiaries. These activities are based on the volunteers’ own strengths, and could include sports, outings, movies, reading and simply socialsing.
Mas is intent on making this visit to Happy School a regular event happening on the first Sunday of every month. While the visits have a limited capacity due to the kids’ immunity and the physical constraints of the space, she welcomes volunteers keen on spreading cheer to contact her. Teenagers are also welcome!
Aside from joining in the clowning action, you can also help out with meeting their list of donations. If you have any of the following items in good condition to be passed on, please contact Wendy from Roundabout.
- Giant Floor Jigsaw Foam Playmats
- Carpet
- Blankets
- Musical instruments such as shakers, maracas, or tambourines
Masooma Kachelo is a creatrix who believes we connect with our highest sense of self and of others (referred to as “the divine”) through celebration of life – both the tears and the laughter. We once healed in tribes and we must find our way back to each other and heal through embodying gratitude and joy. The medicine Masooma takes and serves is music, dance, song and breath. Through each of these portals she experiences pure presence. Her purpose in life is to offer what lights her up because this is what is contagious and true. It is also what has inspired the company she’s currently launching: Wild&ONE. The wildness is our inner nature and the ONEness is the space where we leave the shame of our wildness to live in the power of our complete expression.
In the month of November, Mas is conducting a unique “Hoponopono” Morning Celebration that involves Breath, Hoponopono, Dance and Journal, every morning from 6-7am.
Images: Travelling Light Photography
KEEP READING: Two Young Volunteers Share the Secrets to Making it Stick