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Clowns Without Borders: Lifting People Out of Poverty

Clowns Without BordersWhile often overlooked, comedy and entertainment have emerged as powerful tools in the fight against poverty. Beyond providing emotional relief, these creative industries offer economic opportunities and foster social cohesion in underserved communities. In 2019, the global live entertainment industry generated a total economic impact of $132.6 billion, supporting 913,000 jobs and contributing approximately $42.2 billion in labor income.

This substantial economic footprint underscores the potential of entertainment sectors to drive development and alleviate poverty. Moreover, cultural festivals have been shown to boost local economies significantly. For instance, the Adelaide Fringe Festival in Australia contributed $149 million to South Australia’s economy in 2024, supporting thousands of jobs and attracting nearly 60,000 interstate visitors.

Comedy as a Pathway to Opportunity and Healing

Many comedians and content creators have transformed their experiences with poverty into thriving careers on platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Netflix, proving that storytelling and humor can open the door to sustainable livelihoods. Organizations such as Clowns Without Borders use humor to raise awareness and funds while bringing joy to children in crisis zones. Its work highlights how creative expression can uplift communities affected by conflict and hardship. These examples illustrate how comedy and entertainment can serve as catalysts for economic growth and poverty reduction. Below are four ways in which these creative avenues are making a difference:

Stand-Up and Theater Schools

The International Theatre Project is dedicated to expanding access to theater for individuals living in poverty in developing countries. Since its inception in 2005, the organization has supported more than 2,700 students. Its programs aim to help young people present their thoughts confidently, solve problems collaboratively and see the world from new perspectives. Through this process, participants develop their identities, ensuring that poverty no longer defines them. The impact is significant, with more than 90% of students who participate in these programs pursuing higher education at universities.

Digital Platforms and the Television Industry

The French-Senegalese actor Omar Sy, the third of eight children born to immigrant parents, has risen to success through his talent and the television industry. In 2015, he played a role reflecting his roots in the movie “Samba.” Similarly, digital platforms like TikTok have become powerful tools for escaping poverty. Kenyan singer Michael Bundi, once on the verge of eviction due to financial struggles, gained significant attention and financial success after posting his songs on TikTok, as his music resonated with viewers.

NGOs Using Comedy to Bring Hope

Clowns Without Borders operates not only in the United Kingdom (U.K.) but in countries affected by conflict or disaster, such as Ukraine and Mozambique. The organization has been spreading laughter and offering moments of respite to more than 100,000 children over the past decade. Clowns Without Borders aims to reach an additional 1 million children over the next 10 years, continuing its mission to bring joy and hope to those who need it most.

Comedy Festivals Boosting Local Economies

The stand-up comedy scene in Kenya is booming, contributing to the local economy. Collectives like the Punchline Comedy Club, founded in 2017, organize open-mic nights, monthly shows and festivals that attract diverse audiences. These events provide platforms for emerging and established comedians, creating jobs in the entertainment industry. Artists such as Anthony “Ty” Ngachira and Eunice Njoki, known as Mammito, have seen their careers flourish through these opportunities, helping to grow the Kenyan comedy industry.

Moving Forward

Comedy and entertainment continue to play a growing role in global development efforts. From job creation in the live performance sector to digital platforms offering income opportunities, these creative industries contribute to economic inclusion and social resilience. Indeed, by supporting programs that expand access to arts and performance, governments and organizations could help strengthen livelihoods and bring visibility to voices often left unheard.

– Eléonore Bonnaterre

Eléonore is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Direct Relief and Bungie’s Humanitarian Efforts

 

Grassroots Gaming: Direct Relief and Bungie’s Humanitarian Efforts Gaming has evolved significantly from its novelty status in the 1950s to become a major industry, featuring several prominent companies that release high-budget titles. Within this expansive industry, some companies dedicate efforts to significant humanitarian work that benefits developing nations. A notable instance is the partnership between Direct Relief and Bungie, which has made considerable impacts despite limited coverage in mainstream media and gaming publications.

A Bungie Crash Course

Bungie is a “Triple A” video game development studio and publisher. It is best known for creating the Destiny series of live-service first-person shooters. The series is wildly popular and currently has two games; both installments have released several expansions. Within Destiny’s first week on the market in 2014, it made back its $500 million investment.

Work with Direct Relief Gaming

Direct Relief is a humanitarian organization focused on combating global poverty and responding to natural disasters. A lesser-known division, Direct Relief Gaming, collaborates extensively with gaming content creators and hosts its own charity livestream series, the Direct Relief Colosseum. This division has uniquely partnered with a game developer, Bungie, through the Bungie Foundation. While the Bungie Foundation primarily supports children’s initiatives, it has joined forces with Direct Relief several times to aid in disaster relief and pandemic responses, leveraging its community’s engagement for broader humanitarian impact.

Work In Nepal

In 2015, Nepal suffered from two high-magnitude earthquakes within three weeks, causing widespread devastation, displacement and critical injuries. In response, Direct Relief partnered with Bungie to raise funds for the victims. Bungie offered T-shirts and digital in-game items like shaders and emblems for sale, with all proceeds going to earthquake relief. The gaming community enthusiastically supported the initiative, purchasing more than 50,000 shirts. This effort successfully raised more than $1 million, making Bungie the largest single contributor to the relief efforts and marking the campaign as Bungie’s most successful charitable fundraiser. Due to this partnership, Direct Relief distributed essential medical supplies to organizations operating in Nepal.

Guardian’s Heart and COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Direct Relief emerged as one of the largest humanitarian organizations distributing supplies globally. Partnering with Bungie, they launched the Guardian’s Heart fundraiser, which offered a special in-game emblem in Destiny 2 to donors contributing at least $20. The campaign successfully raised more than $780,000, funding critical medical supplies for first responders, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited access. This initiative was part of Direct Relief’s broader impact during the pandemic; within a year, the organization donated 82 million units of personal protective equipment, 173 million defined daily doses of essential medicines and 36,000 pieces of diagnostic and intensive care equipment. Its efforts spanned more than 100 countries and distributed more than $50 million to health care providers worldwide, demonstrating a profound and far-reaching impact.

Looking Ahead

Bungie’s partnership with Direct Relief has made substantial impacts on global humanitarian efforts, particularly during crises like the Nepal earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through innovative fundraising campaigns involving their gaming community, Bungie has raised significant funds to support disaster relief and medical supply distribution. These ongoing efforts highlight the role that the gaming industry can potentially contribute to global humanitarian causes.

– Meredith Wyrick

Meredith is based in Magnolia, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr