Clown Doctors Aruba, a not-for-profit local organization, helped deliver a fun, informal workshop at the Marriott Aruba Resort. The workshop was designed to entertain and inform a MARCAM familiarization trip on the island this past weekend.
Invited by Marriott & Renaissance Caribbean Resorts to sample Aruba’s hospitality product, the fam trip dignitaries who are all top professionals in the travel industry in the USA, asked to be introduced to a local charity.
Karin Swiers, Marketing Communications Manager, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino selected the Clown Doctors, an organization dedicated to visiting ailing children in the hospital, keeping the elderly living in government institutions company and helping teach mentally and physically challenged kids.
Swiers asked the Artistic Consultant and Ambassador of the Clown Doctors Aruba, Wim Jan Piet Vanden Wijngaert, better know as Froesjes the Clown, to visit the resort and spread some of his magic around.
The morning workshop took off with a short, humorous/serious presentation by Froesjes, and a well-edited, touching video shot by Randall Brown, featuring the clowns in action. Froesjes then took the meeting planners through a series of exercises which immediately connected them with their inner child, resulting in play and laughter, warmth and familiarity, emotions which the Clown Doctors use as distraction and medicine with the clients/patients.
The seminar concluded with hugs, and red clown noses for all participants, also some generous donations for the organization, much-needed funds which will continue to bring smiles and hope to children and elderly in need.
Froesjes was awarded a giant heart-shaped cookie by Swiers and in turn thanked Ronni & Yvonne his helpers for their tremendous contributions to a successful morning.
The workshop was also actively attended by Marriott Executives Antoinette van den Berg and Jennie Nakoa, who participated with great enthusiasm. Delicious lunch wrapped up a most-enjoyable morning.
To support the Clown Doctors, look for a box at the Reina Beatrix International airport and at the local supermarkets. All donations, big & small, are welcome!