Sincere laugh, smile, good humor and imagination are the best medicines for any disease. Because a great deal depends on our perception and mood. And why not paint the life with bright colors and jokes instead of spreading pessimistic thoughts and indifferent or sympathetic views? Amazing hospital clowns were teaching the USPU students how to do this.

The students' social and psychological services of Sociology and Psychology Department invited George Prygunov, Artem Alexeev and Korniy Demydyuk, the specialists in art therapy and hospital clowning to offer the workshops of fun. They taught the students and everyone how to get along well with their emotions, feelings, bodies and the surroundings including other people and objects. Classes included psychology training, art therapy, film therapy, acting, and laughter therapy.

The first day training lasted several hours. "Masters of humor" met with the group, briefly described the plan of activities for the next day and performed several practical exercises to identify, recognize, display the emotions, and learn the spaces and coordination. The participants were depicting their mood and then analyzing the images.

Next day the training lasted from 10.00 to 18.00 and then the film therapy was introduced. George taught everyone to identify the emotions; Artem and Korniy familiarized everyone with general ideas and the specifics of hospital clowning, teamwork and improvisation.

How to remove psychological barriers? How to create a scenic image and realize all that you are doing and what is happening around? How to interact with children and parents without scaring them and creating havoc? How to overcome the fears and learn to separate oneself from the image (clown)? These and many other things were taught by amazing artists from Rivne. Later in the afternoon they watched and analyzed "The Healer Adams" film.

The first half of the third day of training (10.00 - 13.00) was devoted to the theory of hospital clowning, trust maintenance, mutual support and teamwork and the previously taught theories were revised. Then there were practical exercises in urban children's hospital and orphanage in Uman.

At the Children's Hospital the clowns were working in the cardiology department with children aged 4-15. In the orphanage they visited the children with mental and physical disabilities. It was exciting to watch the clowns do wonders with nothing - ordinary chairs were turned into horses, ship, spaceship, balloons turned into swords, flowers, animals, and all around was transformed into an element of the new reality - the game. Both children and adults were playing in the sincere fantastic atmosphere that charmed everyone.

In the morning of the fourth day (10.00) the clowns visited the Uman orphanage. They worked with mostly younger groups of up to 6 years old as the older groups were attending the classes. But in the process of work they met the older children. Regardless of age, kids were included in the game and smiles appeared on their faces as well as the clown noses some time later.

Students thanked George, Korniy and Artem for their excellent work, dedication, knowledge and a good mood they shared with everyone during these few days. Hoping for further cooperation with the hospital clowns the students believe that together we can make this world a better place!