Patch Adams MD invites you to join the humanitarian mission “Clowning in Cuba,” 7-14 December 2025. After 24 years Gesundheit! Is returning to this magic island!
Join us for an intense week during which you will learn to use joy, smiles, humor, music and play to directly benefit the Cuban people. We’ll connect with, care for, train and entertain patients in pediatric, hospice and other medical facilities, elder-care homes…and average citizens on the streets. This will be a meaningful life-changing experience for all involved!
Our gelotological (laughter therapy) expertise and burgeoning skills will stimulate endorphins and serotonin for the patients, staff and family members we meet, relieving stress, reducing pain, alleviating depression – all desired basic human needs.
The trip is for first-time clowns as well as seasoned veterans. You are all invited to open your hearts and celebrate love and change! Everyone is welcome, no experience is necessary.
In addition to daily clown excursions to clinical settings, there will be practical workshops in clown technique (connecting, caring, playing), Cuban social and cultural topics, and individual development.
We also have preliminary agreement with ACPDI (Asociación Cubana de Personas con Discapacidad Intelectual), an independent non-profit working with Cuban Down syndrome children, to conduct a workshop.
Possible themes for workshops and activities.
All accommodations, transportation and dining will be conducted with private individuals and organizations, and no money will be given to prohibited Cuban official bodies or persons. No tourism activities are part of the itinerary.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This trip is being conducted in compliance with the US Treasury Department’s general license for travel to Cuba Section a/9: 515.575 “Humanitarian projects.”
Schedule (subject to change; more details will be provided as we get closer to the start!)
Flights: Best to arrive in Havana’s Jose-Marti international airport, but exceptions (for an additional fee) can be made to arrive/depart at Varadero’s Juan Gomez airport (possibly cheaper charter tickets). Considering the current geopolitical situation, it is recommended to purchase refundable airline tickets.
American, Jet Blue, United, Southwest and Delta are listed as flying directly from the US to Cuba (from Dallas, Miami, New York), but check their websites. US airlines usually include a charge for travel medical insurance. Non-US travelers should obtain such insurance on their own before departure (or reconfirm that an existing policy covers Cuba).
Passports and Visas: All participants, regardless of citizenship, will be traveling on a humanitarian visa sponsored by the Cuban Ministry of Health. It is a “flying” visa, i.e. you will receive a photo of the visa which will allow you to board the plane, and upon arrival you will be met at the passport-control area by a ministry representative with the actual visa.
Please check the expiration date of your document, passport must be valid for at least six months after your date of travel; and you should have at least two blank pages for stamps.
Accommodation: will be in private guest houses/hostels/hotels in the Miramar area of Havana: double-or triple occupancy rooms with private bathroom or shared with other clowns. Some single rooms may be reserved at an additional cost, subject to availability.
Meals: will be in private restaurants, but keep in mind it can be hard to accommodate special needs (allergies, gluten-free, vegan/vegetarian). But the organizers will do their best!
Level of Difficulty: medium. In addition to the clowning activities themselves, there will be daily walking between the guest houses of 10-20 minutes, on uneven sidewalks. Some but not all rooms will have air conditioning. Electricity and internet are not always available.
As with all Patch Adams trips, we have a NO WHINING policy! Strict adherence is mandatory. And especially for Cuba, maximum FLEXIBILITY is necessary, due to unexpected changes and situations.
Sample Itinerary: The detailed daily itinerary of the trip will be available when we get closer to the event, but this is what a typical day looks like:
Travel by bus to clown at institution or community (We have agreement with the Cuban Ministry of Health that on 2 of the 6 clowning days we will go out of Havana to regional towns in Artemisa and Mayabeque provinces).
Philippe Martinez – a French citizen and long-time Cuban resident, Philippe has been working on humanitarian projects in the health care sector around the globe for thirty years, including guest stints with Clowns-Without-Borders in Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Vietnam.
Anya (Anchu, Anchurrita) Eliseeva-Segalovich — I am a human who loves to learn, play and collaborate, to communicate, create and connect. I was born into a strange big family full of art, clowns and a lot of children. I have clowned with Patch in Russia, Peru and Armenia. Since the 2014 I have been organizing the Russia clown trip on the Russian side. I volunteer a lot with the organizations of my mama Maria, and I love the work that we do. I am a dreamer and I like to make art and other things with my hands. Lately I love playing ukulele.
Mark Enslin — composer, actor, bassoonist, guitarist, oud player, apprentice tabla player, listener, teaching composition facing the power of the respondent, assignment as an art form. Mark has been a humanitarian clowning leader on multiple global missions throughout the years.
Sharon “Shar-Shar” Stein — started volunteering in 1996, worked for a non-profit affiliated with the United Nations and has traveled to 74 countries…so far. Because I had worked as a flight attendant for too many years. I had the privilege of spending time with many children and bringing humanitarian aid to orphanages and natural disaster areas. Lucky for me 24 years ago I met Patch. Put my first red nose on, started coordinating trips and enjoyed all of them.
Further playful readings / viewings on clowning and on Cuba:
Cost: $1,680 USD covers all meals (except for one evening meal), accommodation, all clowning events, visa, and transportation within the country, including airport transfers. This fee does not include your flights to Cuba.
Payment plan is as follows:
–$300 non-refundable* deposit at time of registration (hard deadline of 30 August for US Citizens; 30 September for non-US Citizens)
–$180 non-refundable* pre-trip 2nd payment at go/no go date (November 15th).
–$1,200 CASH US Dollars (new $100 BILLS, not marked, torn or damaged), final payment must be handed to the local organizers upon arrival in Havana.
* in case of force-majeure (trip cancellation by Gesundheit! due to an act of God or government; or visa refusal), refund will be made.
Space on this trip is limited and time is short due to Cuban visa processing times. (3 months for Americans, 1 month for non-Americans).
PRE-REGISTRATION
1) Fill in this form to join the waiting list and send Sharon sharonstein22@gmail.com
2) You will be notified shortly of acceptance and given a link to make the first payment.
Thank you and we hope you join us!
Questions?: Contact Sharon sharonstein22@gmail.
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